2026 International Youth Art Contest

Click Here to Apply – First Round now Open

The International Youth Art Contest is a global competition and exhibition organized by the International Art Museum of America in San Francisco. It provides young artists with the opportunity to have their work reviewed by a professional jury and showcased in a museum setting.

Open to participants from around the world, the contest celebrates creativity, technical skill, and artistic voice across a wide range of artistic media.

Open to youth artists worldwide

Multiple age groups and artistic categories

Professional jury review process

Selected works exhibited at IAMA

Public awards ceremony with recognition and prizes

Exhibition
July 18– August 2, 2026
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Awards Ceremony
July 19, 2026
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

 

International Art Museum of America (IAMA)
1025 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
United States

First Round: Online Submission
Submit digital images of artwork for professional jury review.

Second Round: Exhibition at IAMA
Selected works are invited to be exhibited in person in San Francisco.

Awards and Recognition
Finalists receive certificates, awards, and prizes.

A Global Youth Art Platform

Over the past years, the International Youth Art Contest has welcomed thousands of submissions from young artists from around the world, representing dozens of countries and regions. The contest provides selected participants the opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional museum setting at the International Art Museum of America.

Through public exhibitions and an in-person awards ceremony, the contest supports young artists in building their portfolios, gaining recognition, and sharing their work with an international audience.

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Where do I apply?

    First Round applications are submitted through our online registration platform. Clicking “Apply” on this page will redirect you to the full application and submission details.

    Is registration open now?

    Yes. First Round registration for the 2026 International Youth Art Contest is currently open. Full deadlines and submission requirements are listed on the registration platform.

    Who can participate?

    The contest is open to youth artists from around the world. Age groups, categories, and eligibility details are available on the registration platform.

    Do I need to submit artwork physically?

    No. The First Round is an online submission using digital images. Only selected participants will be invited to submit physical artwork for the exhibition.

Apply Now – First Round Open

First Round registration and submission are hosted on our application platform and will open in a new page.