2027 Bettie Awards

A juried award exhibition at the Delaplaine Arts Center for students in grades 9–12 who reside or attend school in Frederick County, Maryland. At least 10 artists will be selected as Bettie Award Winners; the grand-prize winner receives $1,000, other Bettie Award winners receive $100, and the winner of a visitor-voted People’s Choice Award receives $250. These are conditional awards rather than guaranteed participant compensation.

Applicants must be high-school students in grades 9–12 who reside or attend school in Frederick County, Maryland, whether enrolled in public or private school or homeschooled. One submission is allowed. Required artist information includes name, birth date, residence, phone, email, artist statement, school or homeschool group, and applicable art-teacher contact information; incomplete information may disqualify an entry. Submit one artwork with one high-resolution image; video is optional and audio is not accepted. Artwork must be original and personally executed, not a commercially made print, giclée, or reproduction, and must have been created within the preceding two years. The source says submitted work must not exceed five feet in any direction, although a later application section says there are no size restrictions. Accepted work must not have previously been displayed at the Delaplaine, must remain for the full exhibition, and must be prepared, delivered, and collected by the artist. Wall-hanging work must be professionally wired and ready to hang; sawtooth hangers and tape or other unstable framing methods are prohibited, and work may be refused due to its framing or condition. Selected artwork must be delivered February 22–28, 2027. Winners are expected to attend the March 6 awards presentation and opening. Images may be published in local print or online media and used to promote later Bettie Award programs. Conditional awards are $1,000 for the grand-prize winner, $100 for each other Bettie Award winner, and $250 for the People’s Choice winner.