Talented young writers and artists from across the country discovered how to get to Carnegie Hall recently via Scholastic Inc. of Danbury, which used the venerable venue for its 85th annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
“For 85 years, The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards have encouraged countless young writers and artists,” said Virginia McEnerney, executive director of the Alliance of Young Artists and Writers. “This year, we are celebrating the many directions a creative life can take by honoring our illustrious alumni alongside our national award winners.”
The national program offers early recognition of creative teenagers and scholarship opportunities for graduating high school seniors.
The submissions are evaluated locally and nationally by a panel of jurors comprised of artists, authors, educators and arts professionals.
This year, more than 500 creative teens traveled to New York City to have their achievements celebrated by family, industry leaders, educators and patrons, along with Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates and singer-songwriter Mike Doughty.
As part of the celebration, select artwork and writing will be on public display at: White Columns, Reeves Contemporary and NYArts Broadway Gallery.
The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the nonprofit organization that administers The awards, also offered the recipients a special workshop series making use of New York”™s many cultural institutions, such as the Guggenheim Museum.
Scholastic founded the program in 1923. The awards have recognized such talent as Truman Capote, John Lithgow, Joyce Carol Oates, Sylvia Plath, Robert Redford and Andy Warhol, who all received awards when they were in high school.
Â
