2026 YOUNG ARTISTS EXHIBITION

 

Program Description and Eligibility

The Artists Council is proud to present the 2026 Young Artists Exhibition. This annual show of student artwork is an opportunity for emerging artists to be a part of the juried process and have their artwork professionally displayed in a gallery setting.

 

• High school students attending any public or private high school in the Coachella Valley are eligible.

• Each participating high school may submit no more than 25 individual or collaborative works for consideration.

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Artworks should be submitted online between January 30 - February 5, 2026 (please see details below). All works MUST be submitted by teachers on designated dates. Sorry, NO EXCEPTIONS!​​​​​​​​

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Criteria for Submission

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All work submitted must address this year's exhibition theme: My Perspective / Mi Perspectiva

 

• All works must include an Artist Statement of no more than 3 sentences.

 

• Two-dimensional work in any media is acceptable.

  • Works on paper will be matted and framed by the Artists Council so they MUST be submitted in one of these sizes:

    • 9” x 12”

    • 12” x 18”

    • 18” x 24”

  • Works on canvas may be no larger than 36” x 36” and must be framed with simple strip frames or painted canvas edges.

 

• Three-dimensional work in any media is acceptable, but it may be no larger than 36”h x 18”w x 18”d, and may not weigh more than 50 pounds.

 

• Digital / video submissions must be in a .mp4 format and no longer than 3 minutes.​​​​​​​​​

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PLEASE NOTE:

• No works with organic or loose materials, i.e. flowers or sand, will be accepted.

• All artworks must be original.

• All artworks MUST be available for the full duration of the exhibition, April 8 - 19, 2026.

Works selected to be a part of the Young Artists Exhibition must be suitable for all audiences. As such, works may NOT include nudity, a celebration of drug culture, vulgar language, or depictions of gratuitous violence.            

 

Criteria for Final Selection

Works of art selected for the exhibition will be chosen by a panel of qualified jurors. Criteria for judging includes:

• Interpretation and Presentation of the Theme

• Originality

• Quality Craftsmanship

• Creative Use of Materials

• Meaningful Communication of Ideas

• Thoughtful Use of Color

 

Students selected to be a part of the exhibition will be announced via email on February 11, 2026. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

 

 

Closing Reception and Recognition

All exhibiting students, as well as their families, teachers, and administrators, will be invited to the 2026 Young Artists Exhibition closing reception at the Artists Center in Palm Desert on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

• All participating artists will receive a Certificate of Recognition. In addition, special recognition will be given to outstanding works based on the judging criteria.

 

• In appreciation of the essential role of art teachers in encouraging their students and supporting the exhibition, the Artists Council will offer a year’s membership to each participating teacher.

 

The 2026 Young Artists Exhibition will be exhibited at Artists Center in Palm Desert from Wednesday, April 8 through Sunday, April 19, 2026.

 

 

Important Dates

January 30-February 5, 2026

Online submission of works

The link will be emailed two weeks before the submission opens.

Please note: Online submissions close at 4:00 p.m. on February 5, 2026.

 

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Email announcement of selected artists

 

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

3:30-5:00 p.m.

Selected artwork drop-off at Artists Center in Palm Desert

 

Thursday, February 26, 2026

3:30-5:00 p.m.

Selected artwork drop-off at Artists Center in Palm Desert

Please note: All works of art MUST be dropped off by art instructors. Students may not bring their individual work.

 

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

2026 Young Artists Exhibition opens.

 

Saturday, April 18, 2026

5:00-7:00 p.m.

Closing Reception and Awards Presentation

Artists Center in Palm Desert

 

Sunday, April 19, 2026

2026 Young Artists Exhibition closes.

 

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

4:00-5:00 p.m.

Artwork pick-up at Artists Center in Palm Desert

Please note: All works of art MUST be picked-up by art instructors.

 

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Artists Center in Palm Desert

72567 Highway 111 • Palm Desert, CA 92260

www.artistscouncil.com • 760.565.6130 • info@artistscouncil.com