Competitions and Contests

Competitions and contests are an excellent way to gain experience and critical feedbackin music, theater, writing, and art. There are many contests across the country. Below is a partial list of the arts in which contests and competitions occur:

• acting and theater
• black-and-white photography
• clay and glass crafts
• color photography
• dance
• design and commercial art
• fabric and fiber crafts
• fiction writing
• film making
• fine arts and sculpture
• jewelry and metal crafts
• music and vocal performance
• nonfiction and journalism
• speech and drama
• video and audio
• video and broadcasting
• wood and leather craft

Contests and competitions offer young artists the opportunity to perform under pressure, get professional experience and recognition, and build a professional resume and portfolio. Participants have the opportunity to receive a variety of prizes and opportunities, including the following:

• scholarships for college
• cash prizes
• opportunities to meet and sometimes perform with celebrities
• opportunities to perform for large crowds at professional venues
• publication of their work
• apprenticeship or internship opportunities
• opportunities to have their art shown in museums or galleries
• entry into exclusive residency programs

The best way to locate contests and competitions is to read professional publications, journals, and trade magazines in your area of interest. There are other ways to do this research as well:

• Get on a relevant listserv.
• Search the Internet.
• Contact trade and professional associations and request information about competitions.
• Speak with professionals in the industry.

Visit the collection of useful books and other resources containing additonal information about contests and competitions.