Bennington Young Creators Awards
Celebrating the next generation of creators, artists, innovators, and thinkers.
The Bennington College Young Creators Awards recognize exceptional high school students in grades 9–12 from around the world. Whether you write stories, create art, compose music, explore artificial intelligence, or develop new ways of understanding the world, these awards celebrate originality, curiosity, and independent thinking.
Each award is free to enter and offers cash prizes up to $2,000, recognition, publication, or showcase opportunities, and scholarships for students who enroll at Bennington College.
Submissions open September 1. In the meantime, sign up to receive updates.
Explore Discipline Awards
Why Bennington College?
Since 1932, Bennington’s students have challenged conventions, crossed academic disciplines, and created work that has challenged how we see the world. The Young Creators Awards build on this tradition by recognizing high school students whose creativity and curiosity reflect the values at the heart of a Bennington education.
Requirements and Submissions
Eligibility and Requirements
- There is no entry fee.
- Only one submission per discipline award is allowed per student.
- Select only one submission category to enter.
- Students may win in only one discipline award.
- Open to students in grades 9–12 worldwide.
- All entries must be original work and will be reviewed for authenticity.
- Entries must be reviewed and approved by a sponsoring teacher or mentor.
- Grade 12 students must submit through the Common Application or Coalition Application process (no application fees required, non-binding, no supplemental essays required). Once the application is complete, we will send a follow-up email with YWA submission instructions. Since so many YWA participants also apply to Bennington, this approach allows students to submit their college and YWA applications through a single process.
- Students who have already graduated from high school are not eligible.
Additional guidance and requirements may apply. Please review the individual discipline awards and categories for additional requirements and submissions guidelines.
Awards, Scholarships, and Recognition
Awards are given within each group by award discipline and submission category. Students may win in only one discipline award.
Cash Prizes
- First place: $2,000
- Second place: $1,000
- Third place: $500
Distinguished Submissions
- Distinguished designation by category and grade level: $250
- Particularly strong submissions of original work may be selected for this designation. While these submissions may not have been selected for the top three composition prizes, students whose quality is distinguished amongst other entries will be recognized.
Scholarships
- First Place Winners who enroll at Bennington receive a full-tuition scholarship for four years
- Distinguished Designation Recipients who enroll receive a half-tuition scholarship for four years
- Finalists who enroll receive a $25,000 annual scholarship for four years.
Publication and Showcase
- Winning and distinguished entries may be featured on Bennington's website, social media channels, publications, and other showcase opportunities throughout the year.
- These entries will remain the property of the student.
Important Dates and Deadlines
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| September 1 | Submissions open |
| November 1 | Submission deadline |
| November - December | Round 1 judging (faculty / student panel) |
| January | Round 2 judging (external panel); winners selected |
| Spring | Award winners announced; press release; winning entries published and/or showcased |
Frequently Asked Questions
I am at a school outside of the U.S. Can I still enter?
Absolutely! We welcome students from all over the globe to participate in the Awards.
Is there a fee to enter?
No. The Young Creators Awards are free to enter.
I have submitted this work previously to other awards, publications, or competitions. Can I still submit it?
Yes, we welcome simultaneous submissions.
I’m a gap year student. Can I enter?
We ask that students who participate be in grades 9th through 12th grade. Gap year and transfer students are not eligible for the competition.
Can my submission be in a language other than English?
We have a diverse group of people who read our submissions; however, for most Young Creators Awards, we accept only submissions written in English. The only exception is the Young Musicians Awards, which can be submitted in any language, but an English translation must be submitted as an accompaniment.
I just started college this year; can I still apply?
No, you must be currently enrolled in high school to be eligible.
What does “sponsoring teacher” mean?
A sponsoring teacher is someone who has worked with you and reviewed your submission. They’ve given you feedback and advice. Once you submit your work, your sponsoring teacher’s work is largely done, but we want to make sure that you’ve done this step.
Who can my sponsoring teacher be?
You don’t have to have taken a class with them, but they should know you and have worked with you in some capacity previously. Homeschooled students need to list a non-parent mentor.
Will my work be showcased on Bennington's website?
Winning and distinguished entries may be featured on Bennington's website, social media channels, publications, and/or other showcase opportunities throughout the year.
These entries will remain the property of the student, and all students retain future publication rights to their submissions.
Have a privacy concern about sharing your submitted work publicly? Email: YoungCreatorsAwards@bennington.edu
Questions
If you have questions about eligibility, submissions, or awards, we’re happy to help.