Submissions Open: YouthWorks
Leighton Art Centre
Deadline to apply: July 24, 2026
Submissions to YouthWorks is open to artists aged 13 – 18 years, providing an opportunity for emerging creatives to showcase their work in a professional gallery setting. The exhibition aims to support young people in developing confidence, artistic voice, and connection to the wider arts community.
Young artists are invited to submit artworks that explore ideas important to them. All styles and approaches are welcome, including painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, photography, printmaking, and other contemporary practices.
Selected works will be displayed at the Leighton Art Centre, allowing participants to experience the process of exhibiting in a public gallery and to share their work with family, friends, and the broader community.
This exhibition celebrates not only artistic skill, but curiosity, courage, and creative expression. We look forward to presenting the next generation of artists and the powerful ideas they bring to the gallery space.
Submission Guidelines
- Maximum two pieces submitted per artist.
- Artists must be between the ages of 13-18 and receive parent/guardian consent for inclusion of their name/work in the exhibition.
- Artworks in all mediums are accepted, including but not limited to painting, textiles, drawing, sculpture, photography, video.
- Collaborative artworks are accepted. Please list all artists involved in the Artist Contact Information section of the submission form.
- There is no size limit for submitted pieces, but please keep in mind that the exhibition will be curated with available gallery space in mind.
- Please check all your artwork information carefully before submitting. We are dealing with large quantities of data and will have very limited capacity to fix any errors. No art substitutions, title or price changes will be accepted after the submission has been received.
- Participating youth artists will have the opportunity to sell their artwork during the exhibition. If artwork is for sale, we ask that the youth artist and parent/guardian sign an artwork sale release form – this will be sent out to selected participants. We recommend valuing artworks between $50 – $300. Anything over $500 needs to be approved by LAC. You will be notified of this approval in your Letter of Acceptance. LAC has the right to reject any unreasonable valuation.
- Artworks must be available from August 29 to October 25, 2026.
- To reduce financial barriers for young artists, we are proud to work with Framed on Fifth to offer free framing to chosen submissions of unframed works on paper
- While youth artists are welcome to submit a work on paper that is framed, we do not want the expense of framing to prevent artists from applying. If you plan on submitting an unframed work on paper, please ensure that the paper size is either 10 x 10 inches or 11 x 14 inches to be eligible for free framing if selected to be included in the exhibition.
Find further information and submission form at leightoncentre.org.
