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From the earliest drawings of the caveman, to the prolific painters of the renaissance, to the writers of great literary classics around the world, art and man are simply inseparable. This fall, share your work with the hip D.C. arts scene. These competitions and opportunities are sure to inspire the artist — or at least the art collector — in you.

Join in the 10th Annual Small Wonders competition by submitting your two- or three-dimensional original works of art for consideration in this juried competition. The juror, Laura Amussen, is director of exhibitions and art collection coordinator at Goucher College. Artists may enter a maximum of six original works. Cash awards total $1,000. The chosen works will be exhibited in the MFA’s Circle Gallery.

In this competition, 145 screenplays are judged, then whittled down to six top scripts. The selected scripts will then be performed via a table reading before a live audience Sept. 15 and 16. Audience members vote on their favorites. The winning writer will receive $2,000 to shoot his or her project.

Submit your best photographs to this juried exhibit. Photos in black and white, color, non-silver and computer-manipulated formats are welcome. Work will be judged by the National Portrait Gallery’s Curator of Photographs Will Stapp. With more than 40 years in the industry, Stapp is the founding curator of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Best in show receives $1,000.

The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities is looking to purchase two- and three-dimensional works of art including prints, drawings, paintings, photographs, mixed media compositions, ceramics and movable sculptures. If you’re a video artist or technological innovator – great. The DCCAH is looking for submissions from you too. Conceptual and abstract art is also welcome. Each artist should submit up to ten images for consideration. The opportunity is open to artists who live in or maintain studio space in the D.C. metro area, however preference is given to D.C. residents.

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The Junior Achievement Essay Contest is open to students in the ninth to 12th grades in the greater Washington area. Students should write an essay between 1,000 to 1,500 words on a topic listed on Junior Achievement’s Facebook page. Essays may be submitted via the Junior Achievement website. First, second and third place winners will be chosen from D.C., Maryland and Virginia for a total of nine winners. Each will receive a $10,000 scholarship. There will be one grand prize winner selected from the entrants who will receive a scholarship of $20,000.

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