Sister Cities International 2026
YOUNG ARTISTS
AND
AUTHORS
SHOWCASE
PRELIMINARY
Voices of Today, Visions of Tomorrow
Bakersfield Sister City Corporation Invites Youth Ages 12-18 To Participate
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS MARCH 15, 2026
Bakersfield Sister City (BSCPC) and Sister Cities International (SCI) are proud to present the Young Artists and
Authors Showcase for 2026, inviting youth from around the world to express their creativity through the theme of
“Voices of Today. Visions of Tomorrow.”
Open to artists, writers photographers, and musicians aged 12-18, the Showcase provides a unique platform to
explore how creativity can unite communities, celebrate shared humanity, and envision a better future.
Submissions are accepted across various mediums, including visual art, essays, poetry, photography and music.
Winners in each age group and category will receive dedicated prize money and recognition through Sister Cities International’s global network, inspiring communities and leaders worldwide.
Open to artists, writers, photographers, and musicians aged 12-18, the Showcase provides a unique platform to explore how global friendships can drive positive change and bridge cultural divides. Submissions will be accepted in various formats, including visual art, essays, poetry, and music. By participating in this inspiring competition, young creators will have the opportunity to share their vision of a peaceful world and contribute to the international dialogue about the importance of building friendships across nations.
The Theme:
Friendship: The Heartbeat of Global Peace
This year’s theme invites young artists and authors to raise their voices during an historic moment as the United States celebrates 250 years since its founding, and Sister Cities International honors 70 years of building global friendships and cultural understanding. It reflects the ongoing journey from the nation’s founding ideals toward a more connected, peaceful world.
By participating in this inspiring competition, young creators will have the opportunity to share their vision of a world where today’s voices shape tomorrow’s global community. Winning entries will be shared across Sister Cities International’s global network, inspiring people and partnerships around the world. We encourage our youth to be creative and examine all aspects of this year’s theme, including but not limited to:
➢ 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 you those in 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?
Grand prize winners will each receive a $1,000 prize.
Second place winners will each receive a $500 prize.
Third place winners will each be awarded a $250 prize.
Prizes:
Winners will be chosen in each age group, and each art medium.
Categories:
Age Categories
Each Category consists of two separate competitions based on age groups;
Group 1: Applicants aged 12-14
Group 2: Applicants aged 15-18
In each age group and each art medium, there will be a first, second, and third place winner.
Submission Categories
❖CLASSIC ART SHOWCASE
Media accepted includes but is not limited to oil, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, and colored pencil.
A photograph of the artwork must be submitted with the application as a jpg. Or png. format.
❖ PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWCASE
Limited digital manipulation is allowed for photography showcases. Edits may include but are not limited to filters, lighting changes, color corrections, and cropping.
Adding or removing key elements of the photo is not allowed. Heavily edited photos may be submitted under the Digital Artwork category.
Only 2-dimensional artwork is accepted.
A photograph of the artwork must be submitted with the application as a jpg. Or png. format.
❖ DIGITAL ART SHOWCASE
Submissions must have a minimum of 1350 x 1080 px.
Moving art pieces will not be accepted.
A photograph of the artwork must be submitted with the application as a jpg. Or png. format.
❖ ESSAY SHOWCASE
Essay submissions can be creative writing, anecdotes, and other written words following content guidelines.
Submissions must be written in English.
Essays must not exceed 500 words.
Students must upload their document in either a .pdf or .doc format.
❖ POETRY SHOWCASE
Submissions must be written in English.
Poetry must not exceed 200 words.
Students must upload their document in either a .pdf or .doc format.
❖ ORIGINAL MUSIC SHOWCASE
Only audio submissions will be accepted.
The piece must be original. Reinterpreted music will not be acceptable.
Music recordings do not have to be live. Music writing software is acceptable.
Submissions cannot exceed 4 minutes.
Music must be submitted with the application in MP3 format.
Submit your entry here.
Young Artists and Authors Showcase YAAS 2026
Please read the following details carefully.
This is a two-part competition consisting of BSC Preliminary YAAS (Bakersfield Sister Cities) and SCI YAAS Finals (Sister City International).
Students may submit multiple pieces through this website during the BSC Preliminary, Deadline March 15th, 2026, 11:59PM PST.
Up to 5 submissions will be selected in each category to progress from BSC Preliminary to the SCI Finals.
Those chosen will have one piece nominated for continuation into the SCI Finals.
Only one piece per applicant is allowed across all categories in the SCI Finals.
Those chosen to progress to the SCI Finals must have their nominated entry submitted and received by Sister Cities International through the online application by April 1, 2026, 11:59PM ET.
Instructions for submission will be provided to those chosen to progress.
All entries must conform to the Sister Cities International policy on plagiarism.
Applicants must be between 12 and 18 years of age at the time of the April 1, 2025 SCI Finals deadline.
Note: Winners must send framed versions of their original artwork to be exhibited at the Sister Cities International Office in Washington, DC, and/or on the SCI Website.
Bakersfield Sister City is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that serves as Bakersfield’s link to the international community and especially to the governments and citizens of Bakersfield’s six Sister Cities:
The Sister City program provides the opportunity both for cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional and technical exchanges between different cities and for local community development and volunteer action by motivating and empowering private citizens, municipal officials and business leaders to conduct long-term programs of mutual benefit.
