The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. Winning an award, especially at the national level, not only highlights your talent and dedication but also gives your college applications a boost!
For more than 25 years, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) served as the regional affiliate for the Scholastic Art Awards. As such, all students in Fairfax County were able to compete in a focused pool of Fairfax submissions. FCPS has gone above and beyond to support young artists in our community. Every year they hosted annual regional award ceremonies and exhibitions which recognized creativity from students of all educational backgrounds: public, private, and homeschooled alike.
In addition to celebrating student work, FCPS assembled a panel of 18 professional judges from diverse fields each year and even rotated in new specialist judges to ensure fresh and fair perspectives. They also set the submission deadlines as late as possible to give students more time to refine their work. As a member of the Fairfax community, DigiKidz Academy deeply appreciates the tremendous effort FCPS has made to support and encourage our young artists. If you have or are a young artist who'd like a dedicated place to develop and hone digital art and creative skills, don't hesitate to contact us!
Now that FCPS is no loger a regional host/affiliate for the awards, there are some important changes to note for this year's (2026) contest.
• Changes Starting in 2026 Scholastic Art Awards in Fairfax
Beginning in 2026, FCPS will no longer serve as the regional affiliate for the Scholastic Art Awards. If you’re planning to participate, here are the key updates you need to know:
- New Region: When you enter your ZIP code on the Scholastic Awards website, your region will now be “Region-at-Large East Art” instead of “Fairfax Region.” This puts all Fairfax county students into a larger pool of applicants.
- Earlier Deadline: The 2025-2026 program submission deadline is December 2, 2025, about one month earlier than last year. The 2025 FCPS sponsored deadline was January 7, 2025.
- No Regional Ceremony/Exhibition: There will no longer be a local awards ceremony or exhibition hosted by FCPS.
• What Stays the Same?
Although the Fairfax region is not as focused, one important detail remains: the percentage of award winners will stay the same. You’ll be entering a larger pool of submissions, but your chances of recognition remain equal.
So keep creating, keep submitting, and keep sharing your vision with the world. The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards continues to be an incredible opportunity to showcase your talent and dedication. Let’s keep the creativity flowing!
For more information and to submit your work, visit the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards website at https://www.artandwriting.org/
To stay up to date with the FCPS Fine and Performing Arts programs, visit https://www.fcps.edu/fine-arts
When it comes to learning any type of skill, there’s an overwhelming amount of options these days. One of the decisions you have to make is whether in-person or virtual learning is the right choice. If you’re looking into digital art classes, we can’t recommend in-person learning enough!
Sitting at a desk for extended periods while working on a computer can lead to muscle stiffness, tension, and discomfort. However, incorporating simple stretches into your daily routine can help alleviate these issues and promote better physical well-being. In this article, we will introduce six easy and effective stretches that you can do right from your desk to release tension and improve your overall comfort during long hours of computer work.
- Neck and Shoulder Stretch:
Begin by sitting up straight in your chair. Gently drop your right ear towards your right shoulder, feeling a stretch along the left side of your neck. Hold for 15-20 seconds, then repeat on the other side. Next, raise both shoulders towards your ears, hold for a few seconds, and then relax them down. This stretch helps relieve tension in the neck and shoulder area caused by prolonged computer use.
- Chest Opener Stretch:
Sit upright and interlace your fingers behind your back. Slowly raise your hands while keeping your palms together and your shoulders relaxed. Feel the stretch in your chest and shoulders. Hold for 15-20 seconds, then release. This stretch counteracts the forward-leaning posture often associated with desk work and helps improve upper body posture.
- Seated Spinal Twist:
While seated, cross your right leg over your left leg, placing your right foot flat on the floor. Place your left hand on your right knee and gently twist your upper body to the right, looking over your right shoulder. Hold the stretch for 15-20 seconds, then repeat on the other side. This stretch promotes spinal mobility and releases tension in the back.
- Wrist and Forearm Stretch:
Extend your right arm forward with your palm facing up. With your left hand, gently pull back your fingers towards your body until you feel a stretch in your wrist and forearm. Hold for 15-20 seconds, then switch sides. This stretch helps counteract the strain caused by prolonged typing and mouse usage.
- Seated Forward Fold:
Move your chair back a little to make some room. Scoot to the edge of your chair and extend your legs forward. With a straight back, hinge forward at the hips, reaching towards your toes or shins. Feel the stretch in your hamstrings and lower back. Hold for 15-20 seconds, then slowly sit back up. This stretch promotes flexibility in the posterior chain and relieves tension in the lower back.
- Eye and Neck Relaxation:
You might need to get out of your chair for this one! Look out a window or focus on an object in the distance for 20 seconds to allow your eyes to rest from the screen. Next, perform gentle neck rolls by slowly moving your head in clockwise and counterclockwise circles. This helps relax the eye muscles and relieves strain in the neck and upper back caused by prolonged screen time.
Incorporating these six desk stretches into your daily routine can significantly reduce muscle tension, improve flexibility, and promote better overall well-being while working long hours at a computer. Remember to take regular breaks throughout the day to stretch and move your body. By prioritizing your physical health and incorporating these simple stretches, you can enhance your comfort, productivity, and long-term health in the office.
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Where, in the past, the only option for digital drawing was with a mouse, today, your kids can pick up a Wacom or other brand of digital drawing tablet and draw digitally with greater accuracy, precision and ease than ever before.