| | Creative Youth Celebration | June 27 at YBCA |
|
| Join us for an unforgettable day celebrating the next generation of Bay Area artists. On Saturday, June 27th, the Creative Youth Celebration (CYC) will transform Yerba Buena Center for the Arts into a one-day-only, multidisciplinary showcase of award-winning high school artists across film, music, writing, photography, dance, and visual art. |
|
| Announcing our 2026 Keynote: RUBY IBARRA! |
|
|
| NPR Tiny Desk Contest winner and international touring artist, Ruby Ibarra will bring a powerful voice and perspective to this year’s celebration. A longtime member of our community, she also served as a CYA review panelist for three consecutive years!
At the event, you can also expect to enjoy: Live performances and screenings Exhibitions of award-winning creative works An Arts Panel Discussion about living creatively Storytelling workshop lead by Pixar Animation Studios alum Live screen printing on the plaza Free access to YBCA’s current exhibition, Conjuring Power: Roots & Futures of Queer & Trans Movements
|
|
|
| | Stay tuned for more details about arts activations, performers, and program partners! |
|
| |
Want to get involved? We’re looking for volunteers - no experience needed, training provided. It’s a great way to support emerging artists, gain event experience, connect with the community, and - of course - get a free t-shirt! |
|
| |
| |
If you catch this CYA ad rolling through San Francisco on a Muni bus over the next few months… • Snap a pic • Post it to Instagram • Tag @creativeyouthawards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| 2026 BANDS OF THE BAY: YOUTH BAND COMPETITION This annual youth battle of the bands is all about giving high school musicians a real stage to showcase their talent, energy, and sound. Bands will compete in preliminary rounds, with top performers advancing to the final showdown.
Application Deadline: May 15
Grand Prize: A spot on the main stage at the legendary Haight-Ashbury Street Fair on September 20!
Who: 75% of Band members must be 19 years of age and under, please, no players 21 or over allowed. Bands may not be larger than 8 members. |
|
| | |
| 2026 RISE-UP Gallery Youth Art Exhibition This year’s theme is focused on what it means to you to hold space — for rightful anger, for joy, for pain and shame, for strength and connection — and create a world that is most true to you. Two artists will be selected to receive a stipend and spotlight feature.
Eligibility: Artists (ages 14-25)
Submission Deadline: Sunday, May 17, 2026
Gallery Dates: June 12 - September 6, 2026 Location: 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA |
|
| | |
| The Bay Area Book Festival features dynamic, live conversations with leading authors across a wide range of topics that resonate with curious and engaged audiences. Through event activations and lively, free outdoor fair, this is a unique opportunity to connect directly with passionate book lovers eager to discover new ideas, products, and services—both literary and beyond.
Date: May 30–31, 2026
Who: For adults, teens, and children Time: Schedule varies, view programming here Location: Berkeley’s Historical Downtown and Arts District |
|
| | | |
| The Civil Conure, Ethan L. |
|
| This is the first movement of my piece, The Civil Conure. Composed for String Orchestra, flutes, and electronics, the piece combines my own recordings of birds and traffic noises with acoustic instruments to tell a story about the human impact on the natural world, with a particular emphasis on birds. The piece was also inspired by the cherry-headed conures in San Francisco and their story of perseverance. The first movement, titled Unfettered, presents a peaceful yet vibrant soundscape as the music engages in call and response gestures with the bird recordings. Footsteps can also be heard in the background, laying the narrative groundwork for the rest of the piece. |
|
| | | Cultivating Creativity Together |
|
| Want to support the work we do to foster a society that embodies creative spirit, art, and innovation? With your contribution, we can make an even bigger impact on the next generation of Bay Area culture workers, storytellers, changemakers and innovators. |
|
| | | |
|
|
|
|
