Community Art Contests
THE MATT PAPIRMEISTER AWARD - Deadline March 15, 2026
Launched in 2022, YAFH's Matt Papirmeister Award is presented annually to two Montgomery County high school seniors who each receive a scholarship toward their post-secondary education. YAFH created this award for student artists to honor the life of Matt Papirmeister, son of YAFH Founder and Executive Director Jan Papirmeister and her husband Chuck.
Originally $2,500, the award was increased to $3,000 for each recipient in 2024. We are excited and very happy to announce that in 2026, YAFH will provide THREE AWARDS – $3,500 FIRST PLACE, $3,000 SECOND PLACE, and $2,500 THIRD PLACE – to honor and support student artists who create uplifting art to give to others in their community.
Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarship program - Deadline January 4, 2026
The AQF Scholarship is an annual competition for high school students that provides funding for the awardees to attend summer intensive arts programs. These scholarships provide an incredible opportunity for talented students from all artistic disciplines to engage in immersion experiences.
This is a competitive awards program. To succeed, applicants must demonstrate exceptional talent, dedication and a strong commitment to personal artistic growth and must be enrolled in high school or officially registered as a home-schooled high school student. Applications are reviewed by a panel of judges, comprised of professional artists and art educators who are independent of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
To learn more about the AQF Scholarship, please visit https://aqfoundation.org/scholarships. If you have any questions please contact mariela@aqfoundation.org
Womens Club of BethesdA - Deadline February 28, 2026
It's that time again to alert the art teachers in the county about the forthcoming 2026 Youth Art Competition.and Exhibition.
In this attachment you'll find the contest guidelines, submittal form and a flyer for the 2026 Youth Art Competition and Exhibition, which will take place on February 28, 2026 at the Woman’s Club of Bethesda.
Yellow Barn High School Exhibition
2026 WINSTON ART SCHOLARSHIPS & HARRIET LINDNER NEWBILL ART AWARD
- The INSTRUCTION BROCHURE for the 2026 WINSTON ART SCHOLARSHIPS & HARRIET LINDNER NEWBILL ART AWARDS, which is open for artists between the ages of 16 and 22 years. Awards will be divided into two age categories: 16-18 yrs and 19-22 years. If you fall outside that age range, but know someone who might be interested in applying, please forward this e mail on to them. Thank you.
Past winners of the NSAL art scholarship and award programs are eligible to apply, as long as they are within the age range.
- The APPLICATION FORM for the Winston Art Scholarships/Harriet Lindner Newbill Art Award (same form) is attached. Please read it carefully.
- Most likely, you fall into the Washington DC Metro catchment area, but if you do not live or go to school in either Washington DC, Maryland or Northern Virginia there may be another NSAL Chapter to which you can apply. If your area has no NSAL Chapter, you can apply to the DC Chapter. See details on the Information Brochure. A list of Chapters is attached. However, the Washington DC metro area Chapter is the only chapter that offers the Harriet Lindner Newbill Art Award alongside the Winston Art Scholarships. Also it is one of the few chapters that requires online applications only.
This is a great opportunity for future or specialized study either in the summer vacation or to go towards college expenses. It is also a great addition to a resume.
There are $16,000 available in total for Winston Art Scholarships from National NSAL for special art tuition or college tuition and a further $9,000 in monetary awards from NSAL-DC for Winston Art winners and awardees of the Harriet Lindner Newbill Art Awards. The NSAL-DC nominates three applicants for the National NSAL Winston Art Scholarship, one in each age category and an additional one from either age category.
THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING ENTRIES IS Sunday, FEBRUARY 1ST, 2026 by 5 pm EST.
If you have any questions, please email nsalcelia.josephs@gmail.com. Information can also on their website: www.nsalwashington.org