The crane-inspired Creative Arts Scholarship Contest is an annual event sponsored by Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition and open to all high school seniors in Routt and Moffat counties.

This contest seeks to both raise awareness of sandhill cranes and to encourage engagement in the arts among the younger generation.

The amount of scholarship funds has been doubled this year — a total of $20,000 — and the contest has been expanded to include three categories of art.

• Category 1: Story or Essay — A nonfictional essay or fictional story of 750-1500 words

• Category 2: Poetry or Song — Three poems or an original piece of music with lyrics

• Category 3: Visual Arts — A painting, sketch, photograph, or digital art

The work must be original and accurately reflect the physical characteristics, behavior and habitat of greater sandhill cranes. A panel of expert judges carefully reviews all submissions and picks the winners.

The deadline for submission is Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. No late entries will be accepted. 

The first-place winner in each category receives a $4,000 scholarship, with a $2,000 scholarship for each second-place winner in each category. Two honorable mention winners from any of the categories will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The scholarship awards are contingent on the winner’s acceptance into a continuing education institution. 

For more information, visit ColoradoCranes.org/creative-arts-scholarship-contest.