2026 Creative Youth Awards
In Bay Area on December 10, 2025
2026 Creative Youth Awards
$100K in Awards
2026 Submissions Open October 15 - December 10
Submissions Capped at the First 2,500 Received
Open to Bay Area High School Students
Students Limited to 1 Entry
The Creative Youth Awards (CYA) supports creative ideation and exploration through its annual awards program. Offering more than $100k in cash awards for youth, the CYA invites high school students across the San Francisco Bay Area to submit original submissions in creative writing, dance, film, music, photography and visual art. All qualified submissions are hosted in our virtual Creative Gallery. In addition to this recognition, artists receive a free one-year subscription to the online learning platform, MasterClass.
The Awards culminate in the annual Creative Youth Celebration (CYC) - a free public event that features student artwork, performances, hands-on art activations and panel discussions from distinguished professional artists. This major event has become the most anticipated annual youth arts event in the Bay, providing a space for inspiration, creativity, learning, and community.