The Scholastic Art Awards is the largest, longest running recognition program of its kind in the United States. Established in 1923, the awards have recognized students who have become some of our nation’s most celebrated artists. More than 200,000 students participate in the program across the country. In FCPS, thousands of artworks by middle and high school students are submitted annually to the Regional Scholastic Art Awards program sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. Out of these submissions, hundreds of Gold Keys, Silver Keys, and Honorable Mentions are awarded for outstanding drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, ceramics, sculptures, digital art, architecture, jewelry, fashion, film and animation, mixed media artworks, and portfolios. Winning artwork is displayed in a free exhibit at the Ernst Community Cultural Center on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College. Gold Key award-winning entries are submitted to the national Scholastic Art Awards competition, where students were awarded national Gold and Silver medals, as well as monetary awards and scholarships. National awards are announced in April, and an exhibit of the national winners’ works is on display in New York City later in the year.