LEESBURG, Va. - The Loudoun Arts Council has announced that the Excellence in the Arts Awards Competition will take place in March 2008, marking the 17th year for the competition. The competition offers cash prizes to high school students living in Loudoun County for excellence in the visual, performing, digital, and literary arts. Entries will be judged by professionals from each of the artistic disciplines.

The application is due by February 20, 2008. Actual submissions of work for the visual arts, digital arts, and literary arts categories are due no later than March 8, 2008. Auditions for the performing arts, including drama, dance, instrumental, piano, and voice will be held on March 8, 2008 at Galilee United Methodist Church in Sterling. A brochure with more information and the application form can be accessed on the Loudoun Arts Council website at www.loudounarts.org/eita or by calling the Arts Council office at 703-777-7838.

An awards ceremony and reception to include performances by award winners and displays of winning visual art will be held on April 27, 2008.

"We are always amazed at the level of talent in the students competing in Excellence in the Arts. This is a very fulfilling program for the Arts Council. How better to promote the arts than through our students? The arts will continue to be part of their lives whether they take the professional route or just become arts advocates and supporters," says Kathy Farmer, Arts Council President.

Students may compete in up to three categories. Literary arts include poetry, fiction, essay, or dramatic scene. Drama, dance, voice, instrumental, and piano make up the performing arts. Visual arts include any media, flat or three dimensional, and digital imaging includes still or moving images.

For more information, contact the Loudoun Arts Council at 703-777 7838 or info@loudounarts.org

The Loudoun Arts Council is a nonprofit organization that promotes the development of artistic expression throughout Loudoun County by supporting visual, performing and literary artists and arts organizations. For more information, contact the Council at 703-777-7838 or visit the Web site at http://www.loudounarts.org.