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Young Artists & Authors Showcase

The Young Artists and Authors Showcase (YAAS) is an annual art contest that encourages youth worldwide to express the mission of Sister Cities International through original artwork, literature, poetry, photography, and music

Submissions are centered around an annual theme and judged based on originality, composition, and theme interpretation.

Selected grand prize winners in each category and age division (art, literature, poetry, photography, and music) win a $1,000 prize, while second place winners receive $500, and third place winners receive $250. After the winners have been announced, their works are displayed on the Sister Cities International website.

Any Sister City program that is a member of Sister Cities international can participate in YAAS. The showcase is a great opportunity to engage local students, English teachers, and art teachers in your Sister City program.

Young Artist and Author Showcase 2026

Students and member cities should fill out the application form on the Sister Cities International website.

Deadline to Apply : APRIL 1, 2026​.

Click here to Apply

YAAS Highlights

2026 YAAS
2025 Winners
2024 Winners
2023 Winners
2022 Winners

2026 YAAS

YOUNG ARTISTS & AUTHORS SHOWCASE WINNERS

Voices of Today, Visions of Tomorrow

Deadline to Apply : APRIL 1, 2026​

Sister Cities International is proud to present the 2026 Young Artists and Authors Showcase, inviting youth from around the world to express their creativity through the theme “Voices of Today, Visions of Tomorrow.” 

This year’s theme invites young artists and authors to raise their voices during a historic moment as the United States celebrates 250 years since its founding, and Sister Cities International honors 70 years of building global friendships and cultural understanding. It reflects the ongoing journey from the country’s founding ideals toward a more interconnected, peaceful world.

Open to artists, writers, photographers, and musicians aged 12–18, the Showcase provides a unique platform to explore how creativity can unite communities, celebrate shared humanity, and envision a better future. Submissions are accepted across various mediums, including visual art, essays, poetry, photography, and music.

By participating in this inspiring competition, young creators will have the opportunity to share their vision of a world where today’s voices shape tomorrow’s global community. Winning entries will be featured across Sister Cities International’s global network, inspiring people and partnerships around the world.

Click here to Apply

What is YAAS?

The Young Artists and Authors Showcase (YAAS) is an annual contest that encourages youth worldwide to express the mission of Sister Cities International through original artwork, literature, photography, and music.

We encourage our youth to be creative and examine all aspects of this year’s theme, including but not limited to:

  • How have the voices of the past shaped the world we live in today and what new voices must be heard to build a better tomorrow?
  • How can young people honor tradition while reimagining what global friendship can look like in the next 250 years?
  • What would you say to the youth of the past and what message would you send to those of the future?
  • What does your “vision of tomorrow” look like, and how can we start building it today?
  • If you could design the future, what values or ideas would guide it?
  • How do shared experiences between people from different countries build empathy and respect?

Age Categories 

This year, we are hosting two separate competitions based on age groups. Applicants aged 12-14 will compete in one showcase, while those aged 15-18 will compete in another. In each age group and each art medium, there will be a first, second, and third place winner.

Prizes

Grand prize winners in each age group and each art medium will receive a $1,000 prize. Second place winners will receive a $500 prize, and third place winners will be awarded a $250 prize.

Submission Categories

Classic Art Showcase
  • Media Accepted: Oil, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, colored pencil, and mixed media on paper or canvas.
  • Submission: A clear, high-resolution photograph or scan of the artwork in .jpg or .png format.
  • Originality: All submissions must be the artist’s own original work. AI-generated or AI-assisted artwork is not permitted. Any AI-generated content will be automatically disqualified.
  • Restrictions: Only two-dimensional (2-D) artwork will be accepted.
  • Requirements: Minimum resolution of 1350x1080 px. Moving or animated pieces will not be accepted. Pieces should be created using digital programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, digital painting platforms, etc.
  • Submission: Save the final artwork as a .jpg or .png file.
  • Originality: All artwork must be original and created entirely by the student. AI-generated or AI-assisted work is strictly prohibited and will be automatically disqualified.
  • Requirements: Only two-dimensional (2-D) works will be accepted.
  • Digital Edits: Limited digital edits (filters, lighting, color correction, cropping) are permitted, but adding or removing key elements is not allowed. If major edits are applied, submit under the Digital Art category instead.
  • Submission: High-resolution photo in .jpg or .png format.
  • Originality: Photographs must be taken by the student and must not include AI-generated or manipulated elements. Any AI use will result in automatic disqualification.
  • Requirements: Essays may be narrative, reflective, or creative nonfiction. Must be written in English and not exceed 500 words.
  • Submission: Submit as .pdf or .doc file, including a title.
  • Originality: All writing must be the student’s original work. AI-generated or AI-assisted writing (including paraphrasing tools) is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification.
  • Requirements: Poems may be in any style or form (free verse, rhymed, haiku, etc.) and must be written in English. Maximum 200 words.
  • Submission: Submit as .pdf or .doc file with a title.
  • Originality: All poems must be original and written by the student. AI-generated or AI-assisted poetry will result in automatic disqualification.
  • Requirements: Audio-only submissions; no videos. Maximum length: 4 minutes. Submissions may be instrumental or include lyrics and can be produced using instruments or music software.
  • Submission: Submit as an MP3 file.
  • Originality: Music must be original. Covers, reinterpretations, or remixes are not accepted. All compositions must be created entirely by the student. AI-generated or AI-assisted music (melodies, lyrics, or production) is strictly prohibited and will be automatically disqualified.

Additional Info

Eligibility Criteria

Please read the following details carefully. All additional questions can be directed to youth@sistercities.org. 

  • Students must be between 12 and 18 years of age at the time of the April 1, 2026 deadline. 
  • The student must be affiliated with and have a direct point of contact with a dues-paying member of Sister Cities International or an international community partnered with a dues-paying member. 
  • Each dues-paying member city may submit up to five (5) entries per category, per sister city, and per age group. International community partners are also eligible to submit a maximum of five (5) entries per category and age group.
  • Each student can only submit one art piece across the whole YAAS competition.
  • All entries must conform to the Sister Cities International policy on plagiarism found here. 
  • All entries must be submitted and received through the application on Submittable by April 1, 2025, 11:59PM ET. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Judging Criteria

All submissions will be judged anonymously by a panel of volunteer judges. Judges will review each submission carefully and follow the below criteria:

  • Interpretation of the theme
  • Originality and creativity
  • Technical skill
  • Overall impact

Are you an author, artist, composer, or musician passionate about supporting young creators?

Join us as a volunteer judge for the 2026 Young Artists and Authors Showcase and help inspire the next generation of global talent! Contact youth@sistercities.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am an individual located in X country/city, am I automatically a part of a Sister City organization?

No. If you have not contacted your local sister city organization before, you are not automatically part of their network. If you have attended any events through their local programming, you might be in their network. However, all sister city organizations have their own membership procedures. There might be fees and other conditions for being part of their network. Therefore, please contact your local organization to learn more about your current status.

If you have any questions about your affiliation with a dues-paying member of Sister Cities International, please contact SCI Membership Manager, Ashleigh Manuel (amanuel@sistercities.org).

No, all submissions must be coordinated with your local sister city program.

Click here, to view a guide on How to Organize Your Local Competition.

Usually, your Sister City contact is different from your teacher. Almost all Sister City organizations designate one person to be the point of contact for the Showcase. However, if your teacher is directly involved with your local Sister City program, they can be your Sister City contact. Please clarify this with your local program before submitting your application form.

No. Please do not provide a school-affiliated email address (.edu, k12.net, etc). Most school email addresses have a security function that prohibits us from contacting you. Our main contact method will be email. Therefore it is essential that you provide an email address you check regularly. Lastly, please do not forget to check your spam folder as our emails will be considered “external” and might not show in your inbox.

No, all applications will be taken virtually.

  • Tempe Sister Cities International wants to submit applications for YAAS 2025. They can submit the below amount of entries per category. 
    • Tempe, AZ can submit a maximum 60 total entries:
      • 5 entries in the 12-14 Classic Art Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 12-14 Digital Art Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 12-14 Photography Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 12-14 Essay Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 12-14 Poetry Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 12-14 Original Music Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 15-18 Classic Art Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 15-18 Digital Art Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 15-18 Photography Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 15-18 Essay Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 15-18 Poetry Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 15-18 Original Music Showcase
    • Their sister city Regensburg, Germany can submit a maximum of 60 total entries:
      • 5 entries in the 12-14 Classic Art Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 12-14 Digital Art Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 12-14 Photography Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 12-14 Essay Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 12-14 Poetry Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 12-14 Original Music Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 15-18 Classic Art Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 15-18 Digital Art Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 15-18 Photography Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 15-18 Essay Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 15-18 Poetry Showcase
      • 5 entries in the 15-18 Original Music Showcase
    • So on and so forth for each of Tempe, AZ sister city partnerships .

If you have any questions, contact youth@sistercities.org.