About

It is the Rau For Art Foundation’s mission to promote the talent of our community’s emerging artists at the high school-level by awarding their excellence in artistic achievement. It is our hope that these students, in turn, make the arts an integral part of their adult lives and share their passion with the world.

Each year, Rau for Art awards scholarships, ranging from $1,500 to $7,500, with additional funds allotted to high school art departments for art supplies.

Eligibility

• You must be a Sophomore, Junior or Senior in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany or St. Charles Parish (public, private, or home-school equivalent)
• You DO NOT have to be enrolled in an art class
• Your entry must be your original work created this school year
• You can only submit ONE work to the Competition, created ONLY by you
• You must follow the Accepted Media requirements (see below)
• Your entry must demonstrate adherence to the competition’s theme

Scholarships

• 1st Place – $7,000 (with option to study in Italy) plus $500 to your school’s art department
• 2nd Place – $3,000
• 3rd Place – $1,500
• 4th Place – $1,000

Only one entry is accepted per student, although there is no limit to the number of students allowed to participate from each high school.

Ten finalists will be selected. Once chosen, all finalists will be required to submit their physical work to a juried showing for continued consideration for the Scholarship.

Submission Deadline:

Artwork submissions are due on January 27, 2023 at 10pm. Finalists will be announced on March 10, 2023.

Submitting Your Work:

All entries should be submitted online via our Submission Form. If you prefer to submit by mail, please contact the Foundation.

Specifications of Entries

• All works must be 2-dimensional.
• Paintings and drawings are accepted in the following media: oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, graphite, colored pencil, pen and ink, pastel, and charcoal.
• Layered artwork (collage) is permitted as long as all materials used are produced by the artist. Cannot exceed .125″ in depth. The use of found materials (newsprints and magazine clips, 3D objects) will not be accepted.
• Photography submissions are not accepted at this time.

Judging

The Rau For Art Scholarship Competition is a privately juried competition. All acceptable entry formats will be judged equally. All decisions by jurors are final. Neither juror nor employee of the Rau For Art Foundation, nor their families, shall be eligible to enter any Rau For Art Scholarship Competition.

Your entry will be judged on the following criterion:

• Interpretation of Theme
• Originality
• Execution and Technical Ability

Your Rights

The Rau For Art Scholarship Competition does not infringe on artists’ copyrights. Individual artists retain all ownership rights. By submitting a completed entry form, the student artist grants permission for the Foundation to display finalist artwork on our website and/or any other promotional materials. No artists’ contact information will be given without artists’ consent.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there an entry fee for the competition?

Nope, the competition is free to enter! Therefore we encourage all creative high school students to give it a try!

2. Who will judge my work and how are the finalists selected? When will I find out if I am a finalist?

The RFA Scholarship Competition will be privately juried by a panel made up of members of the RFA Foundation and local “personalities” who will act as guest judges. All acceptable entries will be judged equally. All decisions by jurors are final. Notification of ten finalists will begin approximately 4 weeks after the submission deadline via email with a mailed letter to follow. Finalist’s works must be delivered to our French Quarter location within two weeks of notification of Finalist status. The Scholarship Winners will be announced at the annual Finalist Luncheon Gala to be held in the spring. All Finalists who wish to be considered for the awards must be present at the Finalist Luncheon Gala to win.

3. What if my school doesn’t have art classes or an Art Department? Can I still enter?

Absolutely! Our competition is open to all students in the 10th-12th grades (or its home-school equivalent) in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Tammany St. Charles, and Plaquemines Parishes, regardless of whether or not your school offers art classes or has an Art Department.

4. I am home-schooled. Am I still eligible to enter?

Yes, all home -schooled students who are in the 10th to 12th grade equivalent in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Tammany and St. Charles Parishes are welcome to enter.

5. If I win, how will I receive my scholarship?

All scholarships will be paid directly to the college or university you will attend.

6. If I win, will my high school benefit?

Yes, Rau for Art aims to support both individual blossoming artist and arts education in the Greater New Orleans Area, as well. The high school art department of the first place winner will receive $500 to put towards supplies and/or programming. Furthermore, we encourage all art teachers to apply for our Teacher Assistance Fund. 

7. How does my high school receive its award?

Your high school’s award will be paid directly to your school.

Please contact us at rfa@rauantiques.com with any further questions.