| | Inspiration For Your Next Creative Project |
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| Summer is the perfect time to try something new, build your skills, or find inspiration for your next creative project!
One of the many benefits of participating in the Creative Youth Awards is a complimentary one-year MasterClass membership - which offers access to an incredible resource library, with courses taught by some of the world's leading artists, writers, filmmakers, musicians, and other creative professionals.
Whether you're a 2026 participant looking to make the most of your membership or simply searching for creative inspiration, we've rounded up a few of our favorite MasterClass courses below. |
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| Find Your Voice with Amanda Gorman
Discover how one of today's most celebrated poets transforms ideas into powerful spoken and written words. Amanda shares techniques for writing with purpose, building confidence, and using your unique voice to tell meaningful stories. |
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| Bring Stories to Life with Ron Howard From developing an idea to directing actors and building memorable scenes, Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard shares the creative process behind great filmmaking. |
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| Tell Stories Through Your Lens with Jimmy Chin Learn how acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Jimmy Chin captures unforgettable moments through composition, perspective, and visual storytelling. A great class for photographers looking to see the world a little differently. |
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| Unlock Your Imagination with Amy Tan Beloved author Amy Tan explores how personal experiences, curiosity, and imagination come together to create compelling stories—offering inspiration for writers and creatives of every kind. |
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| And for those already thinking ahead, applications for the 2027 Creative Youth Awards open on October 14 - making now the perfect time to explore new ideas, build your skills, and start creating your next submission. |
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| Apply to Become a San Mateo County Youth Arts Fellow! This paid leadership opportunity connects youth artists from across the county while providing hands-on experience in planning and implementing a public art program and using the arts to engage local communities.
One fellow will be selected from each County district, and each will receive a $1,000 stipend for their fellowship term.
Deadline: August 28 Time: 5PM Eligibility: Young artists ages 14–19 who reside in San Mateo County |
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| Jóvenes Poderosos invites you to our Youth Lens Photo Exhibit highlighting Crocker Park. Come out, see, learn and support what SF youth envision for their community park.
When: August 7 Time: 4-7PM Where: Crocker Park, 1669 Geneva Ave. San Francisco, 94112 To RSVP or for more info email: alondra@podersf.org |
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| Join Divine Radiance for D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read), a family-friendly reading event celebrating Black girls, their families, and the joy of reading. Designed for book lovers and aspiring readers alike, this gathering encourages a deeper appreciation for books by Black authors while fostering connection through shared reading experiences.
Readers of all ages are welcome.
When: August 15 Time: 4-7PM Where: Chapter 510, 546 9th St, Oakland CA 94607 |
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| As part of the 2026 San José Poetry Festival!
Celebrate the next generation of Santa Clara County's literary voices at an evening of poetry introducing the incoming Santa Clara County Youth Poet Laureate and the 2026 finalists. Outgoing Youth Poet Laureate Kurn Sundaram and Vice Youth Poet Laureate Layla Krishnan will share selected poems before ceremonially passing the baton to the new Youth Poet Laureate. The incoming Youth Poet Laureate will be announced on the Santa Clara County Youth Poet Laureate Instagram following the event.
When: August 22 Time: 12:30-2PM Where: Markham House at History Park, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose, California, 95112 |
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| Join Root Division for a free screening of Art21's Realms of the Real, featuring four internationally acclaimed artists whose work explores history, culture, identity, and the intersections of art, science, fantasy, and fiction. Featured artists include Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Ragnar Kjartansson, Candice Lin, and Tomás Saraceno.
WATCH TRAILER
This event is free and open to the public. RSVP is encouraged.
When: August 27 Time: 6-8:30PM Who: All Ages Where: Root Division, 1131 Mission Street, SF |
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| Hosted by EDS (Enjoy Dance Studio), gather your crew now and set the stage on fire with your favorite cover performances!
Cash prize and class passes for different categories.
When: August 29 Time: Check-in at 6PM Where: EDS Cupertino 10268 Bandley Dr #107, Cupertino, CA 95014 Eligibility: Group Divisions (Average age on the event day) 10- yrs | 11-15 yrs | 16+ yrs |
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| Turn a Favorite Book into a Sparkling Keepsake!
Participants are invited to transform an ordinary book into a dazzling work of art at this hands-on crafting event. Using rhinestones and other embellishments, attendees will create a unique decorative keepsake that's perfect for displaying or gifting. Participants should bring one personal book to decorate (limit one book per person).
All crafting materials will be provided.
Registration is required, as space and supplies are limited.
When: August 29 Time: 3-5PM Where: Napa Library, 580 Coombs St, Napa, CA 94559
Who: Recommended for ages 11 and up. |
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| | These two pieces were drawn to show a sneak tilt being executed. I chose charcoal because I believe it depicts the roughness of wrestling well. Throughout the whole experience of drawing my two pieces, I learned a lot about human anatomy so that I could most effectively portray the muscles of the two wrestlers. I myself am a wrestler, so I know the positions that the bodies are in to perform the move, but accurately sketching the muscles was the challenge that I slowly but surely overcame. |
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| | | Cultivating Creativity Together |
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| Support the work we do to foster a society that embodies creative spirit, art, and innovation. Make an impact today with a one-time or monthly gift, a donor-advised fund contribution, stock donation, Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), or employer match. |
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