The Walgreens Expressions Challenge 2026 Updated: Your Guide to Art, Impact, and Major Scholarships

I remember judging a regional youth art competition a few years back. The sheer creativity was overwhelming. But what truly stood out wasn’t just the skill—it was the profound, honest stories young people shared about mental health and community resilience. That feeling is exactly what the Walgreens Expressions Challenge captures, and guess what? It’s back, and the Walgreens Expressions Challenge 2026 updated version promises to be the biggest and most impactful yet!

If you are a high school student looking for a major platform to express yourself, earn recognition, and potentially win significant scholarship funds, this is your moment. Walgreens has refined the themes and updated the submission guidelines to make participation easier and the judging even more fair. This challenge isn't just about art; it’s about fostering critical dialogue on health, wellness, and social issues impacting youth today.

We’re diving deep into everything you need to know: the exciting new themes, crucial deadlines, and expert tips to ensure your submission stands out from thousands of others. Let’s get your masterpiece ready!

What’s New for 2026? Themes, Categories, and Enhanced Focus

The core mission of the Walgreens Expressions Challenge remains the same: empowering high school students to use the arts (Visual, Media, and Spoken Word) to communicate important public health messages. However, the 2026 edition has introduced subtle but meaningful changes designed to encourage deeper exploration and address contemporary issues head-on. Pay close attention to these updates, as they will directly influence your work.

One of the biggest shifts is the refined focus on key themes. While past years offered broader topics, the 2026 competition centers on intersectionality and health equity.

Refined Focus and Core Themes

The organizers have streamlined the core themes, asking students to reflect specifically on how these issues manifest in their local communities. The three main pillars for the 2026 challenge are:

• Mental Health Awareness: Beyond the Surface: This category encourages submissions that tackle stress, anxiety, social media pressure, and seeking support. It asks for personal narratives and community solutions regarding youth mental wellness.
• Substance Abuse Prevention and Education: Focusing on responsible choices and the impact of addiction on families and futures. This includes vaping, prescription drug misuse, and alcohol awareness.
• Social Determinants of Health: A powerful new theme asking students to explore issues like access to healthy food, safe environments, and educational opportunities, and how these factors influence overall well-being.

Understanding these themes thoroughly is your first step toward crafting a compelling entry. Avoid generic representations; the judges are looking for authenticity and originality that speaks to the heart of the issue.

Category Updates

The categories remain consistent, but technical specifications have been slightly tightened, especially for Media Arts:

Visual Arts (Drawings, Paintings, Digital Art):

• The emphasis is still on creativity and impact. Digital submissions must now adhere to higher resolution standards (minimum 300 DPI) to ensure quality reproduction for display.
• Sculpture and 3D work are now accepted, provided clear, high-quality photographic documentation accompanies the entry.

Media Arts (Video, Film, Animation):

• The maximum duration is strictly limited to 90 seconds (down from 120 seconds in previous years). This forces students to be incredibly concise and powerful with their message.
• All video submissions must include closed captions for accessibility, emphasizing the program’s commitment to *health equity* and inclusion.

Spoken Word (Poetry, Monologue):

• The performance must be submitted as an audio or video file, not just text. Performance quality and delivery are now weighted more heavily in the judging process.

Check the official rules posted on the Walgreens Expressions Challenge website for the latest submission guidelines, especially regarding file formats and regional eligibility, as these are subject to slight adjustments year-to-year.

Scholarship Opportunities and The Massive Impact of Participation

Why dedicate hours of work to this youth arts competition? Beyond the satisfaction of creative expression, the Walgreens Expressions Challenge offers life-changing rewards. This is one of the most generous arts-based scholarship programs available to high school students in the country.

The financial incentives are substantial, providing critical support for college tuition and educational expenses. The total pool of scholarship funds distributed typically runs into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The Prize Breakdown

While exact figures can fluctuate slightly, the typical award structure for the National Winners includes:

• National Grand Prize Winner: A significant scholarship, often up to $10,000, plus national recognition and opportunities for their work to be displayed at major events.
• Category First Place Winners (Visual, Media, Spoken Word): Scholarships typically ranging from $5,000 to $7,500.
• Regional Finalists: Smaller, still highly valuable scholarships (usually $1,000 - $2,500) and recognition certificates that boost college applications significantly.

It’s important to remember that every regional finalist, even if they don't win a national prize, receives a major boost to their academic portfolio. Listing a Walgreens Expressions Challenge finalist award on a college application shows admissions officers three things: creative skill, civic engagement, and an ability to meet a major challenge deadline.

More Than Just Money: Portfolio and Influence

The true value of participation extends beyond the monetary awards. By submitting your work, you are actively contributing to the dialogue on vital public health issues. Winners have seen their work featured in Walgreens stores, educational materials, and shared across national media outlets.

Think about the portfolio development aspect. If you are applying to art schools, film programs, or even public health degrees, having a nationally recognized piece that addresses complex social issues is invaluable. It demonstrates a capacity for thoughtful communication and advocacy.

Furthermore, the 2026 challenge places increased emphasis on the community aspect. Students whose entries demonstrate clear local relevance and impact (e.g., used in a local school campaign) may receive bonus points during the regional scoring phase.

Mastering Your Submission: Tips and Judging Criteria

Winning the Walgreens Expressions Challenge requires more than talent; it demands strategy. The judging criteria are robust, focusing not just on technical skill but also on the depth of the message and the originality of the concept.

The judging panel is composed of diverse experts, including artists, educators, public health officials, and community leaders. They look for a perfect blend of creativity and clarity.

Three Pillars of a Winning Entry

To maximize your chances, focus your effort on these three core areas:

1. Relevance and Message Clarity (40% Weighting):

Does your submission clearly and accurately address one of the 2026 core themes? The judges need to grasp your intended message within seconds. A powerful concept poorly executed is often preferred over a technically perfect piece with a weak, vague message. Write a strong artist statement that ties your work directly to the chosen health topic.

2. Creativity and Originality (35% Weighting):

Avoid clichés. Don't submit the tenth drawing of a sad face to represent depression. Judges seek fresh perspectives. How have you visually or verbally represented the complexity of *substance abuse prevention* in a way they haven't seen before? Use unexpected metaphors or innovative artistic styles.

3. Technical Execution and Skill (25% Weighting):

This is where your craft shines. Ensure your visual art is clean and well-composed, your video is edited professionally (good lighting, clear audio), and your spoken word piece is performed with conviction and polish. Pay very close attention to the technical specifications outlined in the rules—submissions that fail to meet size, length, or file format requirements are automatically disqualified.

Crucial Action Items Before Submission

• Read the Fine Print: Double-check your eligibility. The challenge is open to students in specific grades (typically 9th through 12th) across designated states/regions.
• Get Feedback: Before finalizing, show your work to teachers, mentors, or parents. Ask them: "What message do you get from this?" If their answer doesn't align with your goal, revise the piece.
• The Artist Statement is Key: Don't rush this. Your written statement is the roadmap for the judges. Use it to explain your inspiration, your connection to the topic, and how your artistic choices support your public health message.
• Meet the Deadline: Submissions typically open in the fall and close early spring. Do not wait until the last minute. Technical issues on the final day are common, and late entries are never accepted.

The Walgreens Expressions Challenge 2026 updated framework is designed to spark essential conversations. It’s a chance to use your voice, advocate for change, and invest in your future. Go create something amazing!