2024 Young Artists and Authors Showcase

 The Young Artists and Authors Showcase (YAAS) is an annual contest that encourages youth worldwide to express the mission of Sister Cities International through original artwork, literature, photography, and music.

Climatescape: Resilient Cities for Tomorrow's Climate

When describing their work in the application form, students are encouraged to discuss how their local communities and/or international cities are approaching this year’s theme. Students can talk about collaborative efforts between communities, give project examples, or explore areas of potential cooperation. Descriptive paragraphs should be written by the student.

Submissions are centered around an annual theme and judged based on creativity, composition, and theme interpretation. 

This year students are invited to share their visions for making their communities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Submission categories include: Classic Art, Digital Art, Photographers, Musicians, Authors, and Poets.

Exceptional contributions will be duly recognized with cash prizes for winners in each category of student submissions from sister cities around the world.

Selected Grand Prize Winners in each category will win a $1,000 prize, while second place winners will win $250, and third place winners will be awarded $100. 

IMPORTANT FIRST STEPS TO BEGIN THE PROCESS

Send email to YAAS Coordinator for Sedona Sister Cities Association at sscayaascoordinator@gmail.com  with your contact information and indicate your interest in participating in one of the Showcase categories.

YAAS Coordinator will contact you to answer any questions you may have and to ensure eligibility for the YAAS competition.

• Students must be 13 -18 years of age at the time of the May 1, 2024 deadline.
• After receiving instruction from the Coordinator, Students will email a file of their work to sscayaascoordinator@gmail.com  by April 15, 2024 in .jpeg/.jpg or .png format for Art and Photography, .pdf or .doc/.docx format for Authors and Poets and .Mp3 format for Musicians. Please include full name and category in Subject Line.
• Students will be notified by April 20, 2024 if they have been nominated to advance to the YAAS International competition. 
•  Nominated students will complete the YAAS online application form and upload a file of their work by May 1, 2024 at  https://yaas2024.org/
• Individual submissions will not be accepted unless approved by the applicant’s Sister City Organization. 
• SSCA will submit a list of up to five (5) entries per category to Sister Cities International.
• No student may enter submissions into more than one category.

All entries must meet the criteria listed below.  

• All entries must conform to Sister Cities International’s policy on plagiarism.
• AI generated work in all categories is strictly prohibited.
• All entries to Sister Cities International must be submitted and received with a completed application by May 1, 2024, 11:59 PM ET.
• There is NO fee to submit an entry to YAAS at the national office. 
• YAAS Online application https://yaas2024.org/ 

Sister City International Plagiarism Policy:https://sistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Plagiarism-Policy.pdf