Each year, more than 4,000 high school students from across the country participate in the VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. The contest began in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth. This contest comprises only two-dimensional entries. The 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest is exclusively for three-dimensional art pieces. More information can be found on the VFW Auxiliary National website -Patriotic Art Contests - VFW Auxiliary National Organization | Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes
Young
American Creative Patriotic Art Contest
Who
is Eligible to Apply?
Students in grades 9-12 by the March 31
deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home
study Program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents
of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.
Although U.S. citizenship is not required,
students must be permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence status
(the application for which has not been denied) to become a U.S. citizen.
Foreign exchange students, students age
20 or older, GED and adult education students, or national winners of previous Young
American Creative Patriotic Art Contests are ineligible.
What
are the Scholarship Submission Requirements?
Two-dimensional art
must be on canvas or paper. Watercolor, pencil, pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon,
acrylic, pen, ink, oil, marker or other media taught may be used.
Do not frame two-dimensional pieces.
Submit canvas entries on a stretcher frame
or canvas board. Reinforce the back with heavy paper. Mats, including mounted and
floating mats, may be used.
The art should be no smaller than 8” x
10” but no larger than 18” x 24”, INCLUDING mat.
Complete entry form and attach to back
of entry.
Submit a typed explanation of patriotism
expressed in art (250 words or less).
What
are the Scholarship Contest Deadlines?
March 31: Student Entry Deadline to VFW
Auxiliary.*
April 15: VFW Auxiliary winners due to
Department (state) Scholarships Chairman for judging.*
May 5: VFW Auxiliary Department (state)
Winners to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters.*
* required deadlines
3-Dimensional
Patriotic Art Contest:
Who
is Eligible to Apply?
Students in grades 9-12 by the March 31
deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home
study Program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents
of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.
Although U.S. citizenship is not required,
students must be permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence status
(the application for which has not been denied) to become a U.S. citizen.
Foreign exchange students, students age
20 or older, GED and adult education students are ineligible.
What
are the Scholarship Submission Requirements?
Three-dimensional art
can be paper, papier-mâché, pottery, clay, metal work, fabric, etc.
Pieces should be no larger than 18” in
any direction.
Art cannot be more than 5 lbs. in weight.
Complete entry form and submit with entry.
Submit a typed explanation of steps taken
to create three-dimensional art/artists statement (total of 250 words or less).
What
are the Scholarship Contest Deadlines?
March 31: Student Entry Deadline to VFW
Auxiliary.*
April 15: VFW Auxiliary winners due to
Department (state) Scholarships Chairman for judging.*
May 5: VFW Auxiliary Department (state) Winners to VFW
Auxiliary National Headquarters.*
* required deadlines
Digital art, photography, weapons, 3-D printed art and jewelry are NOT ACCEPTED for either contest.
Auxiliary 2995 Awardees for 2026
1st Place - Daniel LEE - Away From Home
