Open Call for the 2026 High School Art Show
Open Call — 2026 High School Art Show
Deadline: January 30, 2026
THE SOUND OF US: YOUTH CULTURE NOW
Theme:
How has contemporary music influenced youth culture, from fashion trends and social interactions to political awareness, activism, speech, and everyday life? Today, the youth interact with music differently from previous generations, more immediate, more interactive, and more personal. This constant access shapes the way they communicate, form communities, and express themselves, from slang and style to activism and identity. Music has become a catalyst for conversation, inspiring political awareness and mobilizing youth-led movements. It influences how they show up in the world, how they speak, what they stand for, and how they connect with one another. We’re also seeing a revival of vintage fashion trends that reflect how new music often samples sounds from the past, creating a cultural loop where history and innovation meet.
Prompt:
Choose a song between 2020 to now and create a work of art that shows its effects on youth culture either through fashion, social interactions, speech, education, political alertness and activism, and life in general.
Submission Guidelines:
- We welcome all art forms such as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, mixed media, installation, fiber art, video, and audio art.
- All High School artists are invited to submit 1 original artwork that explores the theme.
- Artworks must be installation ready (Framed or on mountable canvas) for wall art like photographs, mixed media art, paintings and drawings. Sculptures and installation art pieces must also be installation ready. *None must exceed* 30 inches in either height or width.
- All video and audio files must be uploaded as a mp4 or mov file and no longer than 60 seconds.
- All artworks will be selected unless deemed inappropriate due to graphic content. Image files should be written as: Lastname_Firstname_Title.jpg.
- Photograph your art in a well lit room or outdoor on a sunny day.
- Attach your full name, school name, + guardian/teacher’s email and phone on your artwork.
- There is a $10 entry fee. Scholarship is available to waive this fee. Please submit a request from your guidance counselor verifying that you need financial assistance for application fee to be waived.
APPLICATION DEADLINE — Friday, January 30th, 2026
In-person art drop off to MoCA:
- Friday, January 30 from 12pm-6pm.
- Friday, February 6 from 12pm-6pm.
- Friday, February 13 from 12pm-6pm.
- Tuesday, February 17 from 11am-5pm.
- Wednesday, February 18 from 11am-5pm.
- (Final drop-off date) Saturday, February 21 from 12pm-2pm.
Artwork pick-up:
- Monday, April 27 from 11am-3pm.
- Tuesday, April 28 from 11am-3pm.
- Wednesday, April 29 from 11am-3pm.
- Thursday, April 30 from 11am-3pm.
- Friday, May 1 from 11am-3pm.
- (Final pick-up date) Saturday, May 2 from 12pm-2pm.
MoCA will not be responsible for artwork left at the museum after the pickup dates.
Artworks dropped off without an application will not be displayed.
The exhibition runs from Thursday, February 26 through Sunday, April 26, 2026 in tandem with the Westport Public Art Collection, Art, Jazz + the Blues.
The opening reception is February 26, 2026, 6pm-8pm at MoCA CT, 19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport, CT.
Contact exhibitions@mocact.org with questions.
www.mocact.org — 203.222.7070
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