The 2026 Crane-inspired Creative Arts Scholarship Contest is complete:

• Thank you to everyone who submitted entries to the contest. We are deeply grateful for your passion, creativity, and appreciation of cranes and the natural wonders of the Yampa Valley! If you haven’t picked up your artwork – please contact info@coloradocranes.org to make arrangements.
• Winners were announced and awarded at local high school award ceremonies in May. Winners will be announced on this page and in the news shortly! 
• NEW THIS YEAR: Check out our gallery extension for Moffat County students in partnership with the Northwest Colorado Arts Council at the Yampa Building in Craig, CO through August 15, 2026!

We are grateful to Steamboat Creates/ Depot Art Center in Steamboat Springs for their partnership with once again hosting the student Crane-inspired Creative Arts gallery during the month of March and for hosting a special First Friday Art Walk event featuring CASC students. 

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 needed to 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! We gratefully honor Gail Jensen’s legacy of support for this program and know that she would be proud to see it continue with this amazing cohort of students.

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: