High school seniors within the Canyons School District area are encouraged to start thinking early about submitting a work of art to Draper Visual Arts Foundation’s 2026 Art Scholar Competition. The competition will once again take place this April at Draper City Hall to encourage young artists to pursue education and practice their talents. 

This year’s competition will be a special one as Draper Visual Arts Foundation marks 100 years of art collecting in Draper. In 1926, Principal Reid Beck at Draper’s Park School started a program in which students would choose and purchase a new piece of art every year. Today, some of those works of art may be seen at Draper Elementary.

Draper Visual Arts Foundation was founded over 30 years ago by three retired school teachers who sought to preserve that art collection. The foundation strives to conserve, promote and celebrate art in Draper. 

Grand prize winner Tinsley Smith was photographed with her painting, “Waiting for Tomorrow” at Draper Visual Arts Foundation’s 2025 Art Scholar Competition. (Photo by Kamette Harmer)

“Our aim is to give local artists an opportunity to show their work,” DVAF president Lowell Baum said. 

Students participating in the Art Scholar Competition are eligible to win cash prizes that start at $100. One student will win the grand prize, the Jean Hendricksen Commemorative Award of $1,000.

The competition has three categories: two-dimensional art works such as paintings, drawings or prints; three-dimensional pieces including woodworking, jewelry, pottery and sculpture; and photography and digital art. Students may enter up to two artworks in the competition.

All entries must be brought to Draper City Hall, 1020 E. Pioneer Road, on April 20 along with a completed entry form which is available on the Draper Visual Arts Foundation website. The online applications must be completed by midnight on April 18.

The student art will be displayed in the foyer of City Hall April 21 through 27. The public is invited to view the exhibit when City Hall offices are open, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A panel of judges made up of local artists will select the prize winners on April 27. A reception, open to the public, will be held at 6 p.m. on that date in the Draper City Council room.

To see pictures of prize-winning works of art from past competitions and download an entry form, visit the Draper Visual Arts Foundation website at www.drapervisualartsfoundation.org.