2027 Bettie Awards

The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 South Carroll St, Frederick, Maryland, announces the 2027 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.

Submitted artwork must have been created by the applicant within the past two years, must not measure more than 5 feet in any direction, and can be in any medium. 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. A separate, second-round jury 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. 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.

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. A separate, second-round jury 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. Visitors vote during the exhibition for the People's Choice Award Winner.