Young at Art 2023 in Canada

Deadline: 20-Mar-23

The City of Ottawa is accepting applications for Young at Art 2023.

Young at Art is a professionally assessed art exhibition bringing the work of young visual artists to local art galleries. Held annually since 1996, Young at Art recognizes the creative efforts of young artists across Ottawa. Accepted works are displayed in a community gallery and on the Young at Art Instagram(link is external). Selected works are eligible for a number of awards.

City Award Categories

• Citywide Awards
  • This year’s Citywide Awards will recognize the top artwork in each age category across the city:
    • Junior – 12 to 15 years
    • Senior – 16 to 19 years
    • Awards will also be presented in the following categories:
• Junior awards – 12 to 15 years
  • Painting
  • Drawing
  • 3-Dimensional
  • Photography
  • Mixed media
  • Digital media (video, computer animation, digital illustration, etc.)
  • Other media (printmaking, graphic design, etc.) 
• Senior awards – 16 to 19 years
  • Painting
  • Drawing
  • 3-Dimensional
  • Photography
  • Mixed media
  • Digital media (video, computer animation, digital illustration, etc.)
  • Other media (printmaking, graphic design, etc.).

What will Young at Art 2023 look like?

• Young at Art will continue to recognize the great artworks and talented youth in the City of Ottawa.
• Top junior and senior artworks will be selected in each art medium category from the 2023 Young at Art submissions.
• In addition to these top artworks, one Junior winner and one Senior winner will be chosen to be recognized with a Citywide Award.
• Selected runner-up and award-winning artworks will be featured in an exhibition at the Trinity Art Gallery at the Shenkman Arts Centre, as well as on the City’s YAA Instagram account(link is external), to be shared with family, friends, and the public.

Eligibility Criteria

• Visual artists between 12 to 19 years of age who live or go to school in Ottawa.
• The City of Ottawa supports cultural activity that is inclusive of Ottawa's diverse community, including people from diverse ancestries, abilities, ages, countries of origin, cultures, genders, incomes, languages, races and sexual orientations. The City of Ottawa recognizes the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation as Ottawa’s Indigenous Host Nation. Applications from artists of diverse origins, First Nations, Inuit and Métis are welcome and encouraged. The City of Ottawa recognizes both official languages as having the same rights, status and privileges.

Selection Process

• Members of the selection committee possess an extensive background in arts, culture, and/or arts education.
• Each committee member will rate participant’s work on a 1-to-5 scale in the following categories:
  • Originality: does the piece show uniqueness within its genre? Value will be given to those who can show a new and creative concept. Work that is not conceived/created by the artist or directly copied from another artwork without reference will be disqualified for plagiarism. However, the artwork may reference or be inspired by another artist or specific cultural tradition as long as it is properly sourced in the application.
  • Overall impression/elements of art: does the piece fit within the category chosen? Are lines, colours, forms, values and textures used effectively?
  • Technical ability: do all art elements work well together to create a strong design? Is strong technique used within the piece?
  • Composition: Are visual arts elements placed properly or accordingly for the artwork? Is there evidence of thoughtful planning? Has the artist’s intention been communicated through the piece?

For more information, visit Young at Art.