View the 2026 Crane-inspired Creative Arts student entries on display at the Depot Art Center in Steamboat Springs during the month of March!

Join us on March 6, 2026 for a First Friday Art Walk event to highlight contest participants and their artwork.

• The event takes place at the Depot Art Center from 5-8 pm, featuring student presentations at 6pm.

The Crane-Inspired Creative Arts Scholarship Contest is open to all high school seniors in both Routt and Moffat Counties. This annual event seeks to raise awareness of Sandhill Cranes and to encourage engagement in the arts among youth.

The work must be original and accurately reflect the physical characteristics, behavior, and habitat of the Rocky Mountain Population of Greater Sandhill Cranes in the Yampa Valley. Judging is completed by a panel of experts in three categories of art:

• Category 1: Story or Essay – A creative nonfiction 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.

CCCC will award a total of $10,000 in continuing education scholarships:

• The First-Place winner in each category will receive a $2,000 scholarship.
• The Second-Place winner in each category will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
• Two Honorable Mention awards from any category will receive a $500 scholarship each.

CCCC is deeply grateful to program sponsors Sandra and Keith Miller and an anonymous donor for their support of this program in 2026!

Scholarship awards are contingent on the winner’s acceptance into a continuing education institution. Please be advised that all of these pieces of work are protected by copyright. See below for full contest information & rules: