Call Description

The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 South Carroll St, Frederick, Maryland, announces the 2026 Elizabeth Barker Delaplaine Award for Young Artists (the Bettie Award). Bettie Delaplaine was a lifelong supporter of the arts in Frederick County, Maryland. Her strong belief in the importance of the arts in our community, and the importance of supporting young emerging artists, inspired The Delaplaine Arts Center to create the Elizabeth Barker Delaplaine Award for Young Artists–affectionately known as the Bettie Awards–in her honor. The award program is an annual event run in March, nationally recognized as Youth Art Month.

Artists residing or attending school in Frederick County, Maryland, in grades 9–12 (public, private, or homeschooled) are invited to apply for the awards. There is no application fee.

All media are eligible, including but not limited to: painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, drawing and sculpture. 

Important Dates

• Deadline for Entries: Sunday, Feb 1, 2026
• Winners Announced via Facebook: Saturday, Feb 7, 2026
• Selected Artworks Delivered: Monday, Feb 23–Sunday Mar 1, 2026
• Awards Presentation: Saturday, Mar 7, 2026 at 2 pm
• Exhibition Dates: Mar 7–Apr 26, 2026
• Artwork Pick-Up: Sunday, Apr 26 & Monday, Apr 27, 2026 

Selection & Awards

Submitted artwork:

• Must have been created by the applicant within the past two years
• Must not measure more than 5 feet in any direction
• Can be in any medium

Bettie Awards judges will select winners based on the following criteria:

• Originality
• Composition
• Success in communicating message
• Creativity
• Presentation (second round judging)

A first round jury of Delaplaine instructors and art professionals will review the submissions and select at least 10 artists to be named Bettie Award Winners. Selected artworks must be delivered to the Delaplaine between Monday, Feb 23, and Sunday, Mar 1, 2026 during our normal business hours (Monday–Saturday, 9–5 pm, Sunday, 11–5 pm).

A separate, second-round jury of made up of several artists from throughout the region will select one artwork from among the award winners to be named the Bettie Award Grand Prize Winner. The Bettie Award Grand Prize Winner will receive $1,000. All other Bettie Award winners will receive $100. All Bettie Award Winners are expected to attend the awards presentation and exhibition opening on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 2 pm.

Visitors will be invited to vote for their favorite work of art from among the Bettie Award Winners throughout the duration of the exhibition. The artwork that receives the most votes will be named the People’s Choice Award Winner and receive $250.

The Bettie Award Grand Prize Winner will be featured in an article in Delaplaine Arts magazine, distributed throughout the region. Images of other Bettie Award artworks may be shared for publication in local print and online media, and used in promotion for subsequent Bettie Award programs.

Important

Artists who are selected as Bettie Award Winners are required to properly prepare their artwork for exhibit installation. Judges consider presentation an important factor when selecting the grand prize, and will not award the prize to artwork that is incomplete or poorly presented, regardless of its artistic merit.

Framed artworks must be fitted firmly in a frame with wire through eye screws for hanging (taut wire should be at least 1/3 distance from the top of the frame.) Gallery wrapped works are accepted; sides should not be left unfinished.

Guidelines and dates are subject to change. Contact the Exhibitions Manager with questions about the guidelines or the application process.

Application Requirements

Artist Information

• Artist null name
• Birthday in mm/dd/yyyy format
• City and country of Residence
• Phone
• Email
• Artist statement
• High school name or homeschool group
• Art teacher's name and email address (if applicable)
• Social media links (optional)
• Website (optional)
• Failure to provide the necessary information may disqualify your entry from the competition.

Artwork Information

• Work Samples: 1 Artwork with High Resolution images
• There are no theme, size or media requirements or restrictions for this exhibition.

Eligibility Criteria

Origin of Work 

• All artwork must be original in design and personal execution.
• Artworks must be the artist’s original work. No commercially made prints, giclees, or reproductions of an original work of art will be considered for exhibition.

Condition of Artwork at Dropoff, if Accepted

• Artwork must have been created by the applicant within the past two years. Artwork must not have been previously displayed at the Delaplaine. Artwork must remain on view for the duration of the exhibit. Artists are solely responsible for artwork preparation, delivery, and pick up.
• Accepted two-dimensional, wall-hanging work does not need to be framed but does need to be wired to a professional standard, delivered ready to hang. NO SAWTOOTH HANGERS; they do not work with the Delaplaine’s professional hanging system. Wire should be affixed to the frame using D-ring or strap hangers in one smooth line. Please make sure that the picture hanging wire used is a suitable strength for the weight of your work. Framed work should be secured using offset clips and screws (works on canvas) or using points (flat works with backing board). ABSOLUTELY NO TAPE, DUCT TAPE, MASKING TAPE, OR OTHER UNSTABLE METHODS FOR SECURING WORK TO ITS FRAME.
• Accepted work may be refused because of framing or condition.
• Artists accepted into the exhibition will be provided with a drop-off form and label for the back in the top right-hand corner with the following information:
  • Artist name
  • Title
  • Medium
  • Sale price or not for sale (NFS) indication with insurance value
  • Preferred phone number
  • Email address