2027 YOUNG ARTISTS AND AUTHORS SHOWCASE (YAAS)
A Tapestry of Cultures and the Threads That Connect Us

Sister Cities of Long Beach organizes the local Young Artists and Authors Showcase (YAAS) to encourage young artists to express the values of international friendship and cultural exchange through artwork, photography, music, literature, and poetry. Selected submissions will advance to the Sister Cities International global competition.

This year’s theme invites young artists and authors to reflect on the relationships that connect people across cultures and borders. Through friendship, cultural exchange, and shared experiences, we weave a future of peace—one shaped by curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to understanding one another. Participants are encouraged to explore how people-to-people connections can bridge differences, celebrate diversity, and inspire positive change within their communities and beyond.

Just as every thread contributes to the strength and beauty of a tapestry, every individual has the ability to strengthen the bonds that unite communities around the world. Participants are invited to interpret the threads that connect us and demonstrate how creativity can foster dialogue, deepen understanding, and contribute to a more peaceful and connected future.

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Submission Deadline: March 1, 2027

  • Students must be between 12 and 18 years of age at the time of the deadline.
  • Student entries must be submitted through Sister Cities of Long Beach.
  • All entries must conform to Sister Cities of Long Beach policy on plagiarism found here.
  • All entries must be submitted and received with a completed application by the deadline. Submit entries by uploading them along with the application form.
  • No student may enter submissions into more than one category.
  • The student must be affiliated with and have a direct point of contact with Sister Cities of Long Beach.
  • Photographs of all winners’ work (in the case of the Musicians Showcase, artists’ names and names of the pieces) will be published to Sister Cities of Long Beach website.
  • Each International category’s Grand Prize Winner will receive $1,000.
  • Each International category’s 2nd Place Winner will receive $500.
  • Each International category’s 3rd Place Winner will receive $250.
  • International winners will be announced at the Youth Leadership Summit.

Submission categories:

  1. Classic Art
  2. Digital Art
  3. Photography
  4. Original Music
  5. Literature
  6. Poetry
Submission Categories Requirements

International winners will be required to send framed versions of their original artwork to the Sister Cities International National Office in Washington, DC, at their own expense. Further details will be shared with the winners. The winning artwork will also be featured on the Sister Cities International website after the announcement.

ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE MADE IN ENGLISH

If you have any questions, contact us at info@sistercitiesoflongbeach.com