Naperville Sister Cities Foundation - Young Artist Showcase

Naperville invites young residents to “Voices of Today, Visions of Tomorrow” International Competition

Eligibility Criteria

Please email napervilleyoungartist@gmail.com if you have questions, or call Lilia at (630)401-6144 / Toy at (312)399-6683.

Students must be between 12 and 18 years of age at the time of April 1, 2026.
All submissions should reflect the theme “Voices of Today, Visions of Tomorrow”.
Students should email their submission to napervilleyoungartist@gmail.com before March 14, 2026. Include your name, age, category, and contact info with your submission. After your submission, we encourage you to drop off you artwork (Classic Art, Digital Art, Photography) at the Mayor's Office: 2F, 400 S Eagle Street, Naperville. Your artwork will be displayed at Naperville Fine Art Center and Gallery on March 20, 2026 and will be returned to you afterwards.
All entries must conform to the Sister Cities International policy on plagiarism found here.

Classic Art Showcase
1. 1. Media Accepted: Oil, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, colored pencil, and mixed media on paper or canvas.
  2. Submission: A clear, high-resolution photograph or scan of the artwork in .jpg or .png format.
  3. 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.
  4. Restrictions: Only two-dimensional (2-D) artwork will be accepted.

Digital Art Showcase
1. 1. 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.
  2. Submission: Save the final artwork as a .jpg or .png file.
  3. 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

Photography Showcase
1. 1. Requirements: Only two-dimensional (2-D) works will be accepted.
  2. 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.
  3. Submission: High-resolution photo in .jpg or .png format.
  4. 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.

Essay Showcase
- 1. Requirements: Essays may be narrative, reflective, or creative nonfiction. Must be written in English and not exceed 500 words.
  2. Submission: Submit as .pdf or .doc file, including a title.
  3. 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

Poetry Showcase
- 1. Requirements: Poems may be in any style or form (free verse, rhymed, haiku, etc.) and must be written in English. Maximum 200 words.
  2. Submission: Submit as .pdf or .doc file with a title.
  3. Originality: All poems must be original and written by the student. AI-generated or AI-assisted poetry will result in automatic disqualification.

Original Music
- 1. 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.
  2. Submission: Submit as an MP3 file.
  3. 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.

Save the Date! All participants and their families are invited to Naperville Fine Art Center and Gallery on the evening of Friday, March 20. All artwork will be displayed here, and a panel of judges will announce 5 winners per category and per age group (aged 12-14, and aged 15-18).
Winners will receive instructions to submit to Sister Cities International. More info can be found at https://sistercities.org/what-we-do/programs/yaas/.

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