The Crane-Inspired Creative Arts Scholarship Contest is an annual event that seeks to raise awareness of Sandhill Cranes and to encourage engagement in the arts among the younger generations. This contest is open to all high school seniors in both Routt and Moffat Counties. 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 done by a panel of experts in each category. The 2025 contest is now closed and judging is underway.

The contest includes THREE categories of art for 2025:

• 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. 

CCCC extends sincere gratitude to Gail Jensen for making this program possible.  We are deeply grateful for her generous support and strong belief in this program, CCCC’s work, the cranes, the arts, and local youth. We are excited to award a total of $20,000 in continuing education scholarships to the winners of this year’s contest.

• 1^st Place Winners of each category will receive a $4,000 scholarship for continuing education.
• 2^nd Place Winners of each category will receive a $2,000 scholarship.
• Two Honorable Mention winners from any of the categories will receive a $1,000 scholarship each.

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.

Entries were displayed in a special gallery at The Art Depot in Steamboat Springs during the month of March.

• We enjoyed an incredible event First Friday Art Walk event at the Art Depot to honor & highlight contest participants on March 7, 2025.
• Many thanks to the students for sharing their art & for their heartfelt presentations.
• Our gratitude to The Art Depot and Steamboat Creates for hosting this event and gallery! 

For questions or additional information, please contact info@coloradocranes.org.  Please see below for complete contest rules.