An update on the Visual Arts Achievement Program

The Visual Arts Achievement Program, also known as VAAP, has been one of the premier secondary visual arts competitions in Alabama for more than thirty years.

After much consideration, the Alabama State Council on the Arts retired the program in 2025. During the program’s tenure, hundreds of middle and high school students were celebrated for their talent and dedication to the art form. We extend our gratitude to everyone who made this initiative one of the most successful visual arts competitions in Alabama.

Alabama State Council on the Arts is embarking on an endeavor to celebrate our state’s youngest artists. All Across Alabama is a new statewide student art program and exhibition for students in grades 3-5. The program expands and strengthens arts access in Alabama. The Council on the Arts engaged a cohort of professional teaching artists to lead hands-on art experiences for students in every Alabama legislative district. A total of 210 student artists were chosen to have their artwork featured in an exhibtion at the Alabama State Capitol during April 2026. All Across Alabama is made possible through funding appropriated by the Alabama Legislature.

We encourage arts teachers to continue participating in other statewide competitions, so that Alabama’s teen artists have opportunities to showcase their talent.

If you have questions regarding VAAP, contact Kaci Norman, Arts in Education Program Manager for the Council on the Arts, at kaci@arts.alabama.gov.

Visual Arts Achievement Program 2025: Click here to view the online gallery of student works.