Digital Student Arts Showcases

The Arts at San Mateo County Office of Education invites elementary, middle, and high school students to submit videos of themselves performing either instrumental or choral music of any style (school-appropriate selections only, please). This is an online contest only.

Submission Requirements:

1. Submissions can be solo performances or group performances (with 2 or more participants). 
2. All music genres from all cultures and in all languages are welcome. 
3. Please ensure the audio is clear with minimal background noise, and the lighting is bright enough to see the student performer(s).
4. All entries should be submitted by teachers or caregivers for TK-grade 8 students. High School students may self-submit. 
5. Each teacher is limited to ten entries, and each family may submit up to five entries.

Judging Criteria:

• Technical Accuracy
• Musical Expression
• Interpretation and Style
• Creativity and Originality

Important Dates to Remember:

• Monday, December 15, 2025: Google Form Opens - USE THIS LINK TO SUBMIT
• Sunday, January 11, 2026: Google Form Closes
• Week of January 19, 2026: Winners Announced on the SMCOE Arts website.

Age Categories:

• Preschool/TK–Kindergarten
• 1st–2nd Grade
• 3rd–4th Grade
• 5th–6th Grade
• 7th–8th Grade
• High School

Prizes:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention winners will be selected.

2026 Winning Submissions

3rd - 4th Grade

5th - 6th Grade

7th - 8th Grade

9th - 12th Grade

The Arts at San Mateo County Office of Education invites elementary, middle, and high school students to submit original artworks of any theme (school-appropriate selections only, please). This is an online contest only.

Submission Requirements:

1. All visual art mediums are welcome. There are no size restrictions.
2. Please submit a clear, complete photograph or scan of the artwork.
3. No coloring sheets will be accepted.
4. All work must be original and not a copy of another artist's work or a trademarked image.
5. Entries will be judged by arts professionals, and their decisions are final.
6. All submissions should be entered by teachers or caregivers for TK-8th grade students. High school students may self-submit.
7. Each teacher is limited to ten entries, and each student may submit up to five entries.

Judging Criteria:

• Technical Skill and Craftsmanship
• Artistic Expression
• Creativity and Originality
• Composition and Design

Important Dates to Remember:

• Monday, January 12, 2026: Google Form Opens - Submit Art Here!
• Tuesday, February 10, 2026: Google Form Closes
• Week of February 16, 2026: Winners announced on the SMCOE Arts website.

Age Categories:

• Preschool/TK–Kindergarten
• 1st–2nd Grade
• 3rd–4th Grade
• 5th–6th Grade
• 7th–8th Grade
• High School

Prizes:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention winners will be selected.

2026 Winning Submissions

1st - 2nd Grade

3rd - 4th Grade

5th - 6th Grade

7th - 8th Grade

9th - 12th Grade

The Arts at San Mateo County Office of Education invites elementary, middle, and high school students to submit recorded dances of any style or genre (school-appropriate selections only, please). Dances can be solo or performed in groups.

Submission Requirements:

1. Please ensure the background music is clearly audible in the recording, and the lighting is bright enough to see the student(s). 
2. No dance studio submissions will be considered; only individual student performances or classroom dance numbers are eligible.
3. Costumes are optional, but will be considered as part of the overall judging criteria.
4. Videos should be no longer than ONE MINUTE, so please choose your music accordingly. Partial routines are acceptable.
5. This is an online contest only. Entries should be submitted by teachers or caregivers for TK-8th grade students. High school students may self-submit.
6. Each teacher is limited to ten entries, and each family may submit up to five entries.

Judging Criteria:

• Technical Skill
• Artistic Expression
• Choreographic Creativity
• Musicality and Rhythmic Accuracy

Important Dates to Remember:

• Monday, February 9, 2026: Google Form Opens 
• Sunday, March 8, 2026: Google Form Closes
• Week of Monday, March 16, 2026: Winners Announced on the SMCOE Arts website.

Age Categories:

• Preschool/TK–Kindergarten
• 1st–2nd Grade
• 3rd–4th Grade
• 5th–6th Grade
• 7th–8th Grade
• High School

Prizes:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention winners will be selected.

2026 Winning Submissions

5th - 6th Grade

7th - 8th Grade

The Arts at San Mateo County Office of Education invites elementary, middle, and high school students to submit recorded monologues or scenes from any age-appropriate material. (school-appropriate selections only, please). Performances can be solo or in groups.

Submission Requirements:

• Ensure that the recording has minimal background noise and that the lighting is bright enough for the student(s) to be seen clearly.
• Submissions are only open to individual students or classroom theater groups; after-school or private theater troupes are not eligible.
• Costumes are optional, but they will be considered in the overall judging.
• Videos must be no longer than ONE MINUTE in length. Submissions may include an excerpt of a longer monologue or scene.
• This is an online contest only. Entries should be submitted by teachers or caregivers for TK-8th grade students. High school students may self-submit.
• Each teacher is limited to ten entries, and each family may submit up to five entries.

Judging Criteria:

1. Characterization
2. Voice and Diction
3. Physical Expression and Movement
4. Emotional Depth
5. Staging and Spatial Awareness

Important Dates to Remember:

• Wednesday, March 25, 2026: Google Form Opens
• Monday, April 20, 2026: Google Form Closes
• Week of May 4, 2026: Winners Announced on the SMCOE Arts website.

Age Categories:

• Preschool/TK–Kindergarten
• 1st–2nd Grade
• 3rd–4th Grade
• 5th–6th Grade
• 7th–8th Grade
• High School

Prizes:

1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention winners will be selected.

2026 Winning Submissions

3rd - 4th Grade 

7th - 8th Grade

The Arts at San Mateo County Office of Education invites elementary, middle, and high school students to submit short videos or films about any school-appropriate topic. Films can be created solo or in groups.

Submission Requirements:

• Recordings should have minimal background noise, and the lighting must be bright enough to clearly see the student(s).
• Films can be submitted by individual students (who may work with family members or fellow students) or classroom groups. After-school or private film programs are not eligible.
• The maximum film length is ONE MINUTE. This can include excerpts from a longer project.
• This is an online contest only. Entries should be submitted by teachers or caregivers for TK-8th grade students. High school students may self-submit.
• Each teacher is limited to ten entries, and each family may submit up to five entries.

Judging Criteria:

1. Storytelling
2. Originality and Creativity
3. Technical Elements
4. Performance and Directing
5. Production Quality

Important Dates to Remember:

• Monday, April 13, 2026: Google Form Opens
• Sunday, May 10, 2026: Google Form Closes
• Week of Monday, May 18, 2026: Winners Announced on the SMCOE Arts website.

Age Categories:

• Preschool/TK–Kindergarten
• 1st–2nd Grade
• 3rd–4th Grade
• 5th–6th Grade
• 7th–8th Grade
• High School

Prizes:

1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention winners will be selected.

2026 Winning Submissions

7th - 8th Grade

9th - 12th Grade