Art Institutes: Competitions: High School Competitions: Poster Design Competition

High School Artists Express why "Life is Better with Art in it"

Winners Announced in 2008 The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts Poster Design Competition

Eighteen-year-old Tess Brownson of Golden, CO, created a winning poster design integrating the theme for The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts Poster Design Competition, "Life is Better with Art in It" and adding a twist with the phrase, "so step out of the Ordinary!" Her illustration featured a pair of colorful sneakers walking on a sidewalk making it come alive with art from a plain black and white background.

Sponsored by The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts, the Poster Design Competition was created to recognize, encourage and reward artistic talent at the high school level. High school seniors with an interest in graphic design were eligible to enter the competition to express their visual interpretation of why "Life is Better With Art in It."

In addition to being awarded the grand prize of a $25,000 tuition scholarship to study at The Art Institute of Colorado, Tess will attend a Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. with representatives from The Art Institutes, Americans for the Arts and invited members of Congress, honoring the work of the local winners in the competition.

Tess is excited to have the opportunity to study at The Art Institute of Colorado, and follow in the footsteps of her father, Matt, who graduated from The Art Institute of Colorado in 1990. "I was so excited that my piece was chosen. I spent a lot of time working on my entry and was happy to know that my hard work was rewarded."
"It is always a thrill for us to see what incredible artistic talent is out there among high school students. Not only can they create amazing artwork, but they have a point of view and a perspective that is mature and thoughtful," said John Mazzoni, President of The Art Institutes.

Robert L. Lynch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Americans for the Arts, said, "We are pleased to support the exceptional work of these students. From the studio to the classroom to the conference room, these emerging artists are at the forefront of exhibiting creativity and innovation in the nation's workforce."

The competition, which began in February, took place in two stages - locally and nationally. Students submitted their entries to a participating Art Institute location, where local competitions were held by March 2008 and a local winner from each participating Art Institute location was selected. These first place local winners' entries were placed into consideration for national judging.

A panel of graphic design professionals visited The Art Institutes' Web site (www.artinstitutes.edu/posterdesign) and scored the 37 entries on a 100 point-value system. Approximately $100,000 in tuition scholarships to The Art Institutes was awarded to the top 12 students in the competition.

The designs of the top twelve winners work in the national competition will be featured in a calendar, to be distributed to high schools across North America. In addition, The Art Institutes created an online gallery of all scholarship winning artwork on its Web site at: www.artinstitutes.edu/posterdesign.

For more information on The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts Poster Design Competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/poster.

View the top twelve winners in The Art Institutes/Americans for the Arts Poster Design Competition 2008

View the Local First Place Winners in The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts Poster Design Competition 2008.