Scholarship Competition
Since 2012, the Rau for Art Foundation has invited local high school artists to create an original work inspired by a new annual theme.
Ten finalists earn the opportunity to exhibit their artwork at M.S. Rau. Four winning artists, selected by a rotating panel of guest judges, receive a combined $20,000 in college scholarship funds.
The first-place winner is also offered the opportunity to study art in Italy, inspired by the tradition of the Prix de Rome.
A window is both a boundary and an invitation. It can separate worlds while connecting them, offering only a glimpse of a larger story waiting to unfold.
For centuries, artists have used windows to guide the viewer’s eye, create depth, shape light and evoke emotion. Create a two-dimensional work of art in which a window plays an integral role in your composition.
Whether literal or symbolic, let it frame a story, reveal a hidden moment or invite the viewer to imagine what lies beyond. Challenge yourself to create a visually compelling piece through thoughtful composition, skillful use of light and perspective, and strong technical execution.
Scholarship Prizes
Four students receive college scholarship awards, with an additional contribution made to the first-place winner’s high school art department.
$20,000| Award | Scholarship |
|---|---|
| First Place | $10,000 |
| Second Place | $5,000 |
| Third Place | $3,000 |
| Fourth Place | $2,000 |
Eligibility and Artwork Criteria
Student Eligibility
The competition is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany and St. Charles Parishes.
Students may attend a public, private, parochial or home school. Current enrollment in an art class is not required.
Entry Requirements
Each student may submit one artwork per competition year. The artwork must be created entirely by the student submitting it.
The competition is free to enter.
Artwork Format
Only two-dimensional artworks are accepted. Finished work may be no larger than 36 inches high by 36 inches wide.
Photographic submissions are not accepted.
Accepted Media Students may combine accepted media, provided the work remains two-dimensional and all visual material is created by the submitting artist.
Accepted media include oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, graphite, colored pencil, pen and ink, pastel, charcoal and comparable traditional drawing or painting materials.
Collage Restrictions
Layered artwork and collage are permitted only when every included material has been produced by the student artist. Found materials such as newspaper or magazine clippings, three-dimensional objects and digital images are not permitted.
Submission Information
A complete submission should contain the artwork and a brief artist statement explaining the ideas behind the piece and the student’s interpretation of the annual theme.
Original Work
Submit one artwork created entirely by the student.
Dimensions
The finished artwork may not exceed 36 inches high by 36 inches wide.
Artist Statement
Include a brief statement describing the work and its relationship to the annual theme.
Eligible Media
Traditional two-dimensional media are accepted. Photography, digital images and found collage materials are not accepted.
Judging Criteria
Judges consider the quality of the finished artwork as well as the student’s creative response to the theme.
Technical Ability and Execution
Judges consider control of the chosen medium, craftsmanship and the overall completeness of the finished work.
Originality
The artwork should show distinctive ideas, considered creative decisions and an individual point of view.
Interpretation of the Theme
The work should present a thoughtful and visually clear response to Beyond the Glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about eligibility, judging, finalist notifications and scholarship payments.
Is there an entry fee for the competition?
No. The competition is free to enter, and all eligible high school students are encouraged to participate.
Who will judge my work, how are the finalists selected, and when will I find out if I am a finalist?
The Rau for Art Scholarship Competition is privately juried by a panel made up of Rau for Art Foundation representatives and invited local guest judges. All acceptable entries are judged equally, and all decisions by the jurors are final.
Notification of the ten finalists begins approximately four weeks after the submission deadline. Finalists are contacted by email, with a mailed letter to follow.
Finalist artwork must be delivered to the Foundation’s French Quarter location within two weeks of notification. Scholarship winners are announced at the annual Finalist Event in the spring. Finalists must attend the event to be considered for an award.
What if my school does not have art classes or an art department? May I still enter?
Yes. The competition is open to eligible students in grades 10 through 12, or the home-school equivalent, regardless of whether their school offers art classes or has an art department.
I am home-schooled. Am I still eligible to enter?
Yes. Home-schooled students in the 10th- through 12th-grade equivalent are welcome to enter if they reside in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany or St. Charles Parish.
If I win, how will I receive my scholarship?
Scholarship funds are paid directly to the college or university the winning student attends.
How does my high school receive its award?
The high school art department award is paid directly to the school.