Society for the Performing Arts is dedicated to enriching the lives of K-12 and college students throughout the greater Houston area and supporting creativity and high-quality instruction in the classroom.
For questions or to request more information, contact the Education and Community Engagement Department at 713-632-8112 or education@spahouston.org.
SPA Student Art Contest
UPDATE: Due to school closures and inclement weather during the week of Februrary 15th, SPA has extended the Student Art Contest Deadline to March 26, 2021. For questions or concerns about the contest, please contact eduintern@spahouston.org.
SPA’s Annual Student Art Contest aligns the visual arts with SPA’s mainstage programming. Each season, students from the Houston area submit artwork to SPA to compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to have their artwork exhibited around the city.
For over 50 years, Society for the Performing Arts has been an integral part of the Houston arts community, using the power of the stage to reflect the vibrancy of our city.
This season, in response to the challenges faced by the Greater Houston community, the theme of the 23rd Annual Student Art Contest is RESILIENCE, empowering students to reflect on their own strength and to use the joy of artmaking as a tool to build self-confidence and peace.
Resilience (definition): an ability to recover from or adjust easily to change.
Psychologists define resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, tragedy, or stress. As much as resilience involves “bouncing back” from these difficult experiences, it also relates to personal growth. While adverse events are difficult, they don’t have to determine the outcome of our lives. Becoming more resilient not only helps us get through difficult circumstances; it empowers growth and can even improve our lives along the way.
This year’s contest will accept artwork through a virtual submission process. Teachers and parents will submit a digital copy of student artwork for evaluation and display using the submission forms provided below. All Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade students within the Greater Houston area are invited to submit their artwork as part of the contest.
The deadline for submissions is March 26, 2021.
Submission Forms
Art Contest Parent Consent Form
Art Contest Teacher Inventory Form
Contest Rules & Guidelines
Students compete in five divisions for cash and prize awards:
| Division PK: Pre-Kindergarten | Division A: Grades K-2 | Division B: Grades 3-5 |
| Division C: Grades 6-8 | Division D: Grades 9-11 | Division E: Grade 12 |
Winning artists, along with their families and teachers, will be invited to a virtual awards ceremony to celebrate during late Spring 2021. Winning work will be displayed in a virtual gallery on SPA’s website and social media platforms.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be judged on interpretation of theme, creativity and originality, and quality. Specifically, judges will consider the following:
- Does the artwork relate to the contest’s theme? Does the artist convey the theme clearly?
- Is the theme presented in a unique way? Is it original?
- Does the artwork provide evidence of creativity and individuality? Is the result distinctive? Does it leave an impression?
- Did the artist effectively compose and organize the elements and principles of art? Is the artwork aesthetically pleasing?
- Does the artwork show evidence of a mastery of the tools and techniques utilized? Are the use of tools and techniques well executed?
Entry Guidelines
Students in grades PK-12 attending any public, private, charter, or home school within a 50-mile radius of Society for the Performing Arts’ offices (77002) are eligible to enter.
- Artwork of any 2D medium is accepted.
- Artwork must be completed within the 2020-2021 school year.
- Artwork must be unsigned.
- Artists may only submit one entry. Group art projects and collective efforts are not eligible.
Learn more about the winners of last year’s Art Contest:
Celebrate the 22nd Annual Contest
