Entires Open Mid-October 2025

​

​​​​​​​​​The Sarasota Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, Inc. (NLAPW) established the Launching Leaders in the Arts program to encourage self-expression and creativity among young artists and to foster continued interest and education in the arts.

​

Each year, the Sarasota Branch recognizes and supports talented high school seniors in Sarasota and Manatee counties through competitions in Visual Arts, Letters (Writing), and Music.

​

Eligibility

• Open to high school seniors (female and male) attending schools in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

• All entries must be original works completed within the last year.

• Students may submit one entry per category (Art, Letters/Writing, and Music)

• All entries must comply with the specific rules and guidelines outlined in each category section below.

​

Awards & Recognition

Award amounts range from $250 to $2,000, based on artistic excellence and originality. Winning students will have the opportunity to perform, read, or exhibit their work during the Launching Leaders Awards Luncheon, held at the

Prestancia Country Club on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Guests are welcome to attend with the purchase of a lunch ticket.

​

Competition Categories

Art

• Accepted media include oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, mixed media, ink, graphics, stained glass, sculpture, ceramics, etching, lithographs, jewelry, digital art, photography, digitally enhanced photography, and graphite/colored pencil. 

• Entries will be judged in person at a date and location to be determined.

• View Art Rules and Judging Criteria

​

Letters

• Categories include fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. 

• Word limit: 1,500 words maximum.

• View Writing Rubric

​

Music

• Original student musical compositions only.

• View Music Rules

​

How to Submit

All applications must be submitted online using the official submission form by Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Mailed or emailed applications will not be accepted.

​

If you have any questions about the submission process or eligibility, please reach out to Jordyn Chiodo, Vice President of Technology, at Jordyn.Chiodo@sarasotapenwomen.org.