A Global Stage for Young Visionaries
2025 California Young Artists
Join the California Young Artists Expo, a premier platform for young creatives to showcase their talent on an international stage. Hosted by California Sister Cities, this youth-led online event for high school and college students worldwide celebrates artistic expression that fosters global unity and positive change.
📅 Submission Deadline: Accepting Entries Until May 23, 2025
📍 Event Date: May 31, 2025
🌎 Theme: Peace, Kindness & Cooperation
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Expo Categories 2025
Click on any of the categories below to see the art submissions
My City, My Town
My Identity & Self Expression
World Peace & Cooperation
Open Category: All Art Forms
All Video Entries
KOTODAMA & Poetry Presentations
Finalists' Art on Display at United Nations University in Tokyo
Finalists’ art will be on display at the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan, during the month of October 2025.
Art Awards
Over $12,000 in Award Prize Money
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$1,500 Kotaro Nagasaki, The Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture Japan, Art Award
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$1,500 Yasutomo Suzuki, The Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture Japan, Art Award
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$1,500 Hiroshi Tasaka, Chairman of the Fuji Five Lakes Green Metropolis Forum, Award
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$1,500 Hiroshi Tasaka, Chancellor of the Akademeia 21st Century, Art Award
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$1,500 Kotaro Nagasaki, The Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan KOTODAMA Award ( Spirit of Language)
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$1,500 Yasutomo Suzuki, The Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture Japan, KOTODAMA Award ( Spirit of Language)
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$1,500 Hiroshi Tasaka, Chancellor of the Akademeia 21st Century, KOTODAMA Award ( Spirit of Language)
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$500 Thelma Press World Peace Art Award 1st Prize
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$350 Thelma Press World Peace Art Award 2nd Prize
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$150 Thelma Press World Peace Art Award 3rd Prize
Selected by Panel of Judges
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$300 Richard Fukuhara Art for Peace Award
Prize money contributed by Peter Langenberg ($200), Akiye Fukuhara ($100) and Kihei Otani ($100). The amount of this progressive award will increase as donations are received
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$100 The Young Artist of the Year Award
The amount of this progressive award will increase as donations are received
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$100 The Artistic Expression Award
The amount of this progressive award will increase as donations are received
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$100 The Emerging Young Filmmaker Award
The amount of this progressive award will increase as donations are received
Art of 2024 Finalists on Display in Tokyo
Why Participate?
The California Young Artists Expo is an international platform that empowers young artists to share their vision with the world.
Hosted by California Sister Cities, this youth-led event encourages creativity and cultural exchange by showcasing artwork that reflects themes of peace, kindness, and cooperation.
This annual event welcomes submissions from talented young creators across the globe, offering them a prestigious opportunity to exhibit their work internationally.
Selected pieces are scheduled to be displayed in California, as well as at United Nations University and Creative Space Akademeia 21 in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, providing artists with global exposure and recognition.
- Gain Global Recognition – Your work could be showcased on an international stage.
- Win Prestigious Awards – Multiple prizes, including cash awards up to $1,500.
- Express Your Voice – Share powerful messages through art on critical topics like climate change, identity, and world peace.
- Join a thriving community of young artists making an impact through art.
California Young Artists Expo Judging Panel
#1 Fabiola Kinder California Sister Cities Art Connoisseur
#2 Pete Harrison Award-Winning Digital Artist Torquay, United Kingdom
#3 Haruka Igarashi"Shogun" actress, musician & martial artist
California Young Artists Expo Organizing Committee Chairs
2024 Awards
Kotaro Nagasaki Art Award: $1,500
“Sunday Downtown” (Caroline Roxas: University of California Berkeley, Ridgewood , NJ)
Awarded by Kotaro Nagasaki, Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
Given to a submission from the categories of Climate Change & Sustainability / My City, My Town / Racial & Gender Equity
Hiroshi Tasaka Art Award: $1,500
“Persona Salvation” (Maori Morioka: Nagoya Designer Academy, Aichi, Japan)
Awarded by Dr. Hiroshi Tasaka, Chancellor of The Akademeia 21st Century
Given to a submission from the categories of World Peace & Cooperation / Education / My Identity & Self Expression
Kotaro Nagasaki KOTODAMA Spirit of Language Award: $1,500
“Planting a Seed” (Fernanda Cotes Prata & Brooke Villegas, Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil)
Awarded to a college or university student by Kotaro Nagasaki, Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
Hiroshi Tasaka KOTODAMA Spirit of Language Award: $1,500
Understanding (Tony Sakuma Canyon High School, Anaheim, CA)
Awarded to a high school student by Dr. Hiroshi Tasaka, Chancellor of The Akademeia 21st Century
The Emerging Young Filmmaker Award $100+
Tea Ceremony with Extraterrestrials (Minna Hosaka: Keio University, Japan)
$100 contributed by SCI SoCal Board Member Kathleen McCann
Submit Your Artwork & Inspire the World!
Be part of the 2025 California Young Artists Expo, where creativity meets global impact.
Submit your artwork by May 23, 2025, for a chance to win prestigious awards, showcase your talent on an international stage, and make a difference through art.
High school and college students are welcome to submit their art—whether you create paintings, digital art, photography, or mixed media.
Your art has the power to shape the future!