Welcome to the 2nd Annual Rising Stars Youth Art Contest!

Make sure to review all the rules below!

Are you a young artist with a passion for creativity? Do you dream of sharing your art with the world? Are you a young artist aged 10-18?

We're on a mission to discover and celebrate the incredible talent of young artists in our community. Whether you love painting, drawing, sculpting, photography, digital art, or any other form of artistic expression, we want to see your work! Follow our socials for the next contest!

WE ARE ALL ARTISTS ~

WE ARE ALL ARTISTS ~

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

  1. Eligibility:

    • Open to all young artists aged 10-13 and 14-18. Living in zip codes 37208, 37218, 37207.

    • All forms of art are welcome! This includes painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, digital art, mixed media, and more.

  2. Submission Requirements:

    • Submit a minimum of 5 photos or videos of your piece of art by October 4th, 2025.

    • Ensure that your submission reflects your best work and showcases your creativity and skill.

    • Maximum Size: Artwork must not exceed 16x20 inches, including any frames or mounts.

    • Theme: β€œCreate Art You Can Touch!” is this year’s contest theme. While it is not required to follow the theme, participants have the opportunity to earn extra points if their artwork is created specifically for it.

  3. Important Dates:

    • Submission Period: Now - October 4th, 2025

    • Winner Notification: October 10th, 2025

    • Showcase Event: October 18th, 2025 | 4-9 pm at 100 Taylor Art Market, Nashville!

  4. How to Submit:

    • Visit our submission page [APPLY HERE].

    • Fill out the submission form with your details and upload your artwork.

    • Make sure to include a artist statement. Minimum of 200 words.

    • Send your application fee is $15 to the NNAC CashApp: https://cash.app/$northarts. With your full name and and email included in the note.

    • Form Submission: Each entry must be submitted for one child only. If multiple children are being registered, a separate entry form and fee must be submitted for each child.

What do you win?!

〰️

What do you win?! 〰️

FIRST PLACE

1st place winners will receive an artist showcase at the 100 Taylor Gallery, be featured as the Artist of the Year on the NNAC website, and get all-access passes to NNAC events.

SECOND PLACE

2nd Place winners will receive an artist showcase at the 100 Taylor Gallery, be featured as the 2nd place Artist of the Year on the NNAC website. 2nd place winners will receive sponsored prizes (details to be confirmed).

THIRD PLACE

3rd Place winners will receive an artist showcase at the 100 Taylor Gallery, be featured as the 3rd place Artist of the Year on the NNAC website. 3rd place winners will receive sponsored prizes (details to be confirmed).

Get Involved ~ Encourage Youth Artists! ~

Get Involved ~ Encourage Youth Artists! ~

Hey parents, teachers, and community members! There are many ways to get involved with The Rising Stars Youth!

Spread the Word: Share this contest with young artists, schools, and community organizations.

Become a Sponsor: Support the arts and help us provide more opportunities for young artists by becoming a sponsor of The Rising Stars.

Volunteer: Join our team of volunteers to help make this event a success. From organizing the showcase to helping with submissions, your time and effort can make a big difference.

Size Guidelines for Artwork

  1. Maximum Size: Artwork must not exceed 16x20 inches, including any frames or mounts.

  2. Minimum Size: There is no minimum size, but the piece must be at least 8x10 inches.

  3. Theme: β€œCreate Art You Can Touch!” is this year’s contest theme. While it is not required to follow the theme, participants have the opportunity to earn extra points if their artwork is created specifically for it.

  4. Orientation: Artwork can be either portrait or landscape orientation.

  5. 3D Artwork: If submitting 3D pieces, the base should not exceed 16x20 inches, and the height should be no more than 20 inches.

  6. Framing: Framing is preferred, but optional, but if used, it must fall within the maximum size limit.

  7. Form Submission: Each entry must be submitted for one child only. If multiple children are being registered, a separate entry form and fee must be submitted for each child.


    ​These guidelines ensure consistency in the display and judging of the artwork.

Grading Rubric

  1. Creativity and Originality (20 points)

    • Is the artwork unique and imaginative?

    • Does it show a new or different idea?

  2. Skill and Technique (20 points)

    • How well is the artwork made?

    • Does the artist show good use of their tools and materials?

  3. Composition and Visual Impact (20 points)

    • Is the artwork visually interesting and well-organized?

    • Does it catch the viewer's eye?

  4. Expression and Communication (20 points)

    • Does the artwork clearly express the artist’s ideas or feelings?

    • Is there a strong message or emotion?

  5. Artist Statement (20 points)

    • Does the statement clearly describe the artist’s ideas and process?

    • Is the statement thoughtful, personal, and reflective of the artist's voice.

  6. BONUS (up to 5 points)

    • Artwork created especially for this year’s theme β€œCreate Art You Can Touch!”

Total: 100 points + 5 possible bonus points

SUBMIT YOUR ART NOW!

Last Years Winners!

Last Years Winners!

We are proud to support young artists in our community! Last year’s Rising Stars winners received gift card prizes and were proudly featured in the NNAC Showcase at 100 Taylor Art Market! This year, it could be you!

✨ Discover unique creations at the shop, home to the NNAC Member Artist Collective! 

Location: 100 Taylor Art Market, Suit B5, Nashville TN
*Limited hours

First Annual Rising Stars Winners

Congrats to all the 2024 winners!

Join Us for the Showcase Event!

Mark your calendars for October 11th, 2025 | 4-9 pm and join us at 100 Taylor Art Market for the big reveal of winners of the The Rising Stars Youth Art Contest!

This showcase event will feature the incredible artwork of our young artists, and opportunities to meet the artists and learn more about their creative journeys. It’s a celebration of art, talent, and community that you won’t want to miss!

Eligibility and Awards Rules

1. **Age Groups**: The contest is open to young artists in two age groups: 10-13 and 14-18.


2. **Winners**: Each age group will have 4 total winners, equaling 8 winners:
   - 1st Place 
   - 2nd Place
   - 3rd Place
   - 4th (Honorable Mention)


3. **Awards**:
   - 1st place winners will receive an artist showcase at the 100 Taylor Gallery, be featured as the Artist of the Year on the NNAC website, and get all-access passes to NNAC events. 2nd Place winners will receive an artist showcase at the 100 Taylor Gallery, be featured as the 2nd place Artist of the Year on the NNAC website.
   - 2nd and 3rd Place winners will receive sponsored prizes (details to be confirmed).
All will be featured on our website!

**Terms and Conditions (Fine Print)

- Participants must be within the specified age groups and living in the zip codes to enter.
- All submissions must adhere to the provided size guidelines.
- Winners will be selected based on the contest rubric, and decisions are final.
- Prizes are non-transferable and may not be exchanged for cash.
- NNAC reserves the right to use images of the submitted artwork for promotional purposes.
- Sponsored prizes for 2nd and 3rd place winners are subject to availability and confirmation. 

**Please be patient while we confirm the specific prizes with our sponsors.
Check back on this page for updates. If you would like to sponsor a prize or make a donation, please email us at: hello@northarts.org.**