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A Global Stage for Young Visionaries

2025 California Young Artists

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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.

đź“… Submission Deadline Extension: Accepting Entries for People’s Choice Awards Through Monday, September 30, 2025

📍 Finalists exhibition at United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan: October 2025

🌎 Theme: Peace, Kindness & Cooperation

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Art Submission Deadline

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Expo Categories 2025

Click on any of the categories below to vote for 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.

2025 Art Awards

Over $12,000 in Award Prize Money

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

VIDEO JUDGES

Henryk Cymerman, MFA: Cinematographer & Film Professor

Jamie Bell, MFA: Media Professional

M. Kimo Friese: Film & Entertainment Journalist

Art of 2025 Finalists on Display in Tokyo

Creative Space Akademeia 21 Harajuku

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 Organizing Committee Chairs

Kaitlin Briones

2024 California Young Artists Expo High School Chair (Santa Clara, Summit Denali High School)

Manaal Hasan

2024 California Young Artists Expo College Chair (Stevenson Ranch, CA - College of the Canyons)

Anthony Akira Al-Jamie, HS Chair

2023 California Young Artists Expo High School Chair (Anaheim, CA - Canyon High School)

Denmark Harris, College Chair

2023 California Young Artists Expo College Chair (Sacramento, CA - San Bernardino Valley College)

Kaitlin Briones

2024 California Young Artists Expo High School Chair (Santa Clara, Summit Denali High School)

Name: Kaitlin Briones
School: Summit Denali High School
City: Santa Clara, CA

Manaal Hasan

2024 California Young Artists Expo College Chair (Stevenson Ranch, CA – College of the Canyons)

Anthony Akira Al-Jamie, HS Chair

2023 California Young Artists Expo High School Chair (Anaheim, CA – Canyon High School) Click picture for message

I am excited to serve as the 2022-2023 California Young Artists Expo Founding High School Chair. This has been a great experience helping to build a statewide program for high school and college students to express themselves through art. We have received so many amazing pieces in all 6 categories. What I am learning through this experience is that all art is beautiful in its own unique way. So I hope that anyone who is hesitating to submit their art will just click “submit” because with every new submission, the California Young Artists Expo becomes just a bit more interesting than the day before and I hope you will share something of yours with us.

Denmark Harris, College Chair

2023 California Young Artists Expo College Chair (Sacramento, CA – San Bernardino Valley College) 

I am honored to serve as the 2022-2023 California Young Artists Expo Founding College Chair. I have always been extremely passionate about all mediums of art, which is why I jumped at the opportunity to review and appreciate all of the wonderful art pieces that our state’s high school and college students have to offer. I have looked at the art pieces from all six categories, and I must say that I am genuinely astonished by the level of talent that is on display. With that being said, artists do not have to be the most talented or most skilled to move others with their work. What makes an art piece great is its ability to speak to others; the range of emotions that it invokes in all of us. So to anyone who is doubting themselves, you should remember that your art doesn’t need to display the greatest amount of skill to have the most powerful message. Watering cans can make the flowers grow just as well as rain clouds. I am looking forward to participating in this event, and to looking at all of the submissions yet to come! I wish everyone much success and happiness in all your future endeavors. Believe in yourself. You got this!