The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists & Writers have opened the seventh annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: New York City Regional Exhibition at The Met’s Ruth and Harold D. Uris Center for Education. Running through May 21, 2021, the free exhibition features over 200 works of art and writing by New York City-based Gold Key recipients in grades 7–12, selected from more than 10,000 submissions across 28 categories. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the works are displayed as framed prints to ensure equitable access.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the resilience and creativity of young artists during a challenging year, while reinforcing The Met’s longstanding commitment to arts education. The Scholastic Awards, founded in 1923, have launched the careers of iconic artists such as Andy Warhol and Cy Twombly, making the program a vital pipeline for future creative talent. The partnership also underscores the importance of institutional support for youth arts, especially amid pandemic disruptions.