( Added: December 24, 2011 )  - Aspiring photographers are challenged to put their skills to the test in The Art Institutes Storytellers Photography Competition 2012. The third annual competition has categories for both high school seniors and high school graduates.

Entrants must submit six original photographs that tell a story on a single theme. Supplemented by a 500-800 word artist's statement describing the entry, entries are evaluated on their ability to effectively communicate a narrative to an audience.

Local-level finalists will be selected to advance to the national level of the competition at each of the 39 participating Art Institutes schools offering photography programs. From there, one high school senior and one high school graduate each will be named national grand prize winners of the competition by a panel of industry professionals.

"The work submitted by students into The Art Institutes Storytellers Photography Competition showcases the kind of creativity, talent and vision that The Art Institutes schools look for and seek to cultivate," said John Pufahl, Vice President of Academic Affairs for The Art Institutes. "We look forward to welcoming these talented students to our campuses and are excited to see what they will create."

The Art Institutes Storytellers Photography Competition is open to graduating high school seniors and high school graduates in the U.S. and was created to provide those with an eye for photography an opportunity to earn a scholarship to an Art Institutes school offering a photography program.

Deadline for entries into the competition is March 2, 2012. To see the full entry requirements and learn more about The Art Institutes Storytellers Photography competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/photocompetition .