January 2026

CYA Newsletter - January 2026
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January 2026

Sneak Preview: 2026 Review Panel

This winter, we’ll be introducing the 2026 Creative Youth Awards Review Panel—a carefully selected group of artists and creative leaders who review student work with rigor, generosity, and respect. Follow us on social media for discipline-by-discipline highlights and behind-the-scenes insights into our review process.

Creative Opportunities

Girls on the Mic empowers young women & gender-expansive youth to explore music, podcasting & audio for film. Less than 5% of sound professionals are women or gender-expansive. Let's change that. Learn how to produce beats, record podcasts, DJ and sample, produce sound for film, pursue a career in the audio industry, and so much more!


Who: For SFUSD students ages 11–18.
What: Learn the techniques of music production, podcasting, and audio for film in a supportive environment.
Where: Main Library - San Francisco Public Library
When: Multiple Dates: Weekly Wednesday series, January 14 until May 13
Tuition: FREE



Women’s Audio Mission is a non-profit organization that uses music and media to connect middle and high school girls and gender-expansive youth to STEAM studies.



ArtNow is an award-winning annual juried Santa Clara County high school art exhibition and educational program. Presented by New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU), high school students across Santa Clara County are invited to submit a work of art responding to the theme Before / Between / Beyond.


Deadline for Submissions: January 25, 2026

Join 826 Valencia, Youth Speaks, the San Francisco Public Library, and Mayor Daniel Lurie for a celebratory evening to announce San Francisco's next Youth Poet Laureate!


A cohort of young poets have been developing their craft alongside talented instructors, including other Bay Area Poet Laureates. Hear from all of the students and join us in celebrating our city's future cultural leaders.



What: San Francisco Youth Poet Laureate Showcase

Where: Koret Auditorium at the San Francisco Main Library

When: Friday, January 23, 6-9PM

Admission: FREE

Join SF Art & Film for a Free Teen Film Workshop hosted at The Mix, SFPL.


Over the 8 two-hour sessions, students ages 12-18 will develop scripts, practice essential filmmaking skills and shoot their own films. Whether you're a beginner or experienced student filmmaker, this series is perfect for everyone!



When: Weekly on Thursdays beginning February 5 through March 26


Where: The Mix at San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Tuition: FREE

CYA Spotlight

Self Bloom, Derick D.

“A reflection of my creative mind using portraits of myself three times. I tested my creativity by making something that was about me using color, a bright blue background and some elements about me.”

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.

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February 2026