Arlington Sister Cities held its inagural ASCA Young Artists and Authors Showcase 2026! Youth ages 12 to 18 years old from Arlington and its sister cities were invited to showcase their artistic and literary talents at this event.
What is the ASCA YAAS 2026?
The Arlington YAAS is the local precursor to the Sister Cities International Young Artist and Author’s Showcase (SCI-YAAS) hosted at the international level. This year, the theme chosen by Sister Cities International is Voices of Today, Visions of Tomorrow!
This theme invites young creators to share their perspectives, hopes, and creativity, showing how today’s voices can shape tomorrow’s world. Here are some guiding questions for the theme:
- 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?
For more information on the theme, please see the Sister Cities International description.
Eligibility
Young artists must meet ALL of the following criteria to apply:
1. Must be between 12 – 18 years old by April 1, 2026. (Note that the showcase has two age divisions: Ages 12-14 years old and Ages 15-18.)
2. Must be affiliated with at least one of the following:
- Affiliated with a member of ASCA in Arlington, Virginia.* See more information on membership below
- Affiliated with a sister city organization that is affiliated with a member in an Arlington, VA Sister City (Reims, France; Aachen, Germany; San Miguel, El Salvador; or Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine)
How to Participate!
Each artist can submit only ONE entry in ONE of the competition’s six artistic categories:
- Classic Art
- Digital Art
- Essay
- Poetry
- Original Music
- Photography
- Entries must conform to the Sister Cities International policy on plagiarism: https://sistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/YAAS-Plagarism_AI-Policy-1.pdf
- AI-generated or AI-assisted artwork is not permitted. Any AI-generated content will be automatically disqualified.
Submission details for each category:
- 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 1350×1080 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: 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.
- 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.
For more information, see Sister Cities International Website: https://sistercities.org/what-we-do/programs/yaas/
Judging & Winning
ASCA will showcase the top 2 submissions for each category and age group on the ASCA website and social media, with permission from the artists. The top 5 submissions in each category AND age group AND sister city will be eligible for submitting to the Sister Cities International Competition (more information below).
**PRIZES**
The top 2 winning young artists in each category will receive the following prizes:
- certificates from ASCA celebrating their achievement
- acknowledgement and showcasing of their art on the ASCA website
- a small public reception for the young artists and their families
- Winners of Classic Art category may receive a giftcard to a local art store.
The Sister Cities International Level Competition
The top 5 submissions from each category, age cohort, and sister city will have the opportunity to enter the Sister Cities International 2026 Young Artists and Authors Showcase.
The SCI showcase gives winners of the Arlington YAAS the opportunity to compete with youth from other Sister Cities around the globe and to win the following prizes: First place $1,000; Second place $500; Third place $250.
Winners may also be asked by SCI to send their original artwork to the SCI National Office in Washington, DC, at their own expense.
Apply Now!
Applications for the 2026 YAAS are now closed. Please stay tuned for the 2027 competition which may open Dec. 2026.
Trouble submitting your application? Please email Education Taskforce Chair Dr. Alyssa Bivins: [email protected]
FAQs
No. If you have not contacted your local sister city organization before, you are not automatically part of their network. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Arlington Sister City Organization in particular, please see our “Join” page!
No. All submissions must be coordinated through the local Sister City Program, Arlington Sister City Association, to be eligible for submission according to SCI rules.
Applying for the competition is free! However, all young artist’s must be affiliated with an Arlington Sister City Association dues-paying member in order to be eligible. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Arlington Sister City Organization in particular, please see our “Join” page!
If becoming a member of ASCA would cause undue financial hardship, please reach out to [email protected] for options.
Limited digital manipulation is allowed for Photographers Showcase. The edits include filters, lighting changes, color corrections, and cropping. However, adding or removing key elements of the photo is not allowed. Please note that heavy edits change the category of the submission. If that is the case, please consider submitting your artwork under the digital art category.
Judging
Judging will be completed by artists and community leaders associated with Arlington, VA. Judging descisions will be made based on the following criteria:
- Interpretation of the theme
- Originality and creativity
- Technical skill
- Overall impact
Descisions made by the committee of judges are final.
Interested in Judging?
ASCA is seeking “expert” art judges affiliated with Arlington or its Sister Cities to judge the Arlington Youth Artist and Authors Showcase. If interested in judging, please email Dr. Alyssa Bivins before January 1, 2026.
More questions about ASCA YAAS 2026? Please contact [email protected]
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