Every year since 1981 the Society has held the Student Scholarship Competition. Hundreds of works are chosen from entries submitted by professors of college-level students nationwide. In a competition which can kick start a career, students bring their most sophisticated, well-crafted and original work to be tested. A jury of professional peers, including illustrators and art directors, selects the most outstanding works created throughout the year. Pieces are accepted based on the quality of technique, concept and skill of medium used.
From the Society’s endowment, generous contributions from foundations, corporate and private donors, scholarship awards are granted to students whose work is deemed the best of the best.
In the last 30 years, the Society has awarded over $1,500,000 to deserving students in this unique competition, which has opened the door for many of today’s top professionals including Kadir Nelson, James Bennett, Gwenda Kaczor, Dan Dos Santos, James Jean and many more.
Each spring the Student Scholarship Exhibit is held in the galleries of the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators, where awards and certificates are given to the students during an Opening Reception. Also honored during the Reception are Distinguished Educators in the Arts, a prestigious award presented to educators who have made a strong impact on illustration as both a teacher and an artist.
Message from the Chair:
As Chair of the Student Scholarship Committee, it is my pleasure to announce the upcoming 2025 Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship Competition.
The 4550 incredible entries from last year’s competition exemplify the growing interest in illustration as a chosen major and its continued rise in prominence within art schools, both in the U.S. and abroad. Illustration programs and students recognize the Student Scholarship Competition, along with its resulting exhibition and catalog, as excellent catalysts for launching students’ careers. It also serves as a source of inspiration—not just for the students featured, but also for their classmates, teachers, and schools. This enthusiasm helps lay the foundation for the continued vitality of the illustration field.
The competition jury is composed of renowned art directors, designers, illustrators, and artists. The selected works will represent the very best student illustrations from the previous year. The Student Scholarship Show will be exhibited both online and in our physical gallery this May. Winning illustrations will be printed and framed in-house, with the exception of GIFs and animations, which will be showcased in our screening room. An opening reception and awards ceremony will also be held in May, with the exact date to be announced.
Let’s not forget that this is a Scholarship Competition: Over $50,000 in cash awards, ranging from $250 to $10,000, will be presented to the winning students. These financial prizes help students purchase art supplies or make a dent in tuition and loans. Additionally, every student with accepted artwork will be featured in the exhibition’s full-color catalog and on the Society of Illustrators’ website. The Animation category, now in its 14th year, continues to grow as more schools and students become aware of this opportunity. Animation has its own set of entry rules and regulations, which you will find in this packet. Please read the information carefully.
For the Illustration and GIF portions of the competition can be submitted through our Online Entry Portal at www.soicompetitions.org. Only officially assigned administrators of your Illustration Department or Program may submit work on behalf of your school. Students are not permitted to sign up or use this system.
If you have not yet signed up for an account, we recommend doing so as soon as possible, so we can approve your account. Please ensure that your school and administrator information is accurate and current. Once approved, you can start creating accounts for your students and uploading their images. If you encounter any issues with lost passwords or usernames, please email the Society’s Program Coordinator for Annual Exhibitions, Jordan Lisicky, at jordan@societyillustrators.org.
From Jordan, you will receive a packet in which you will find instructions on how to use the portal system, important deadlines, and a digital promotional image that can be shared with your students and faculty through email and social media. Please note that there will be no extensions to the deadline!
I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of the Chairs, Program Directors, and faculty for your continued support of the Student Scholarship Competition.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Jordan Lisicky.
Sincerely,
Jordin Isip
Student Scholarship Chair