Open for Submission | XC Creative Art Contest
Students in grades 6-12 may submit up to 3 artworks across traditional art, science+art, performance art, video art+music, or literature+art categories for international competition with cash prizes and exhibition opportunities.
Does this fit your work? 5 questions score every call to your medium, location and budget. Free.
Get matched →- Deadline
- 54 days left
- Entry fee
- Free
- Award
- $1,000
- Location
- MusicOn+ InterArts Festival, Manhattan, New York (for top 30 winners' exhibition)
About
Overview
The XC Creative Art Contest (XCAC) is an international, cross-disciplinary art competition open to students in grades 6–12. Organized by the NextGen InterArts Foundation, XCAC celebrates originality, creative thinking, and artistic expression across a wide range of mediums, rooted in STEAM philosophy.
Key Dates
- Submission portal open: August 20 – October 20, 2026
Categories
- Traditional Art: Drawing, Painting, Photography, Digital Art, Mixed Media, Experimental Photography (New 2026)
- Science + Art: 3D Printing and Art, Kinetic Sculptures, Artistic Circuits, Architectural 3D Modeling, Drawing Robots, Interactive E-Book (New 2026)
- Performance Art: Performance Video, Theater (New 2026 — group submission)
- Video Art + Music: Short Video (Animation/Film), Music Video
- Literature + Art: Book Design, Literature Illustration
Awards
- Gold: Medal + E-Certificate + $1,000 Cash Prize (Top 1)
- Silver: Medal + E-Certificate + $150 Cash Prize (Top 2–6)
- Bronze: Medal + E-Certificate + $150 Cash Prize
- Honorable Mention: E-Certificate
- Top 15 winners receive a Recommendation Letter
- Top 30 winners invited to exhibit at MusicOn+ InterArts Festival in Manhattan, New York
How to Submit
- Visit https://www.nextgeninterarts.org/xc-creative-contest
- Complete your student profile (name, nationality, school, teacher info)
- Upload up to 3 artworks with title, category, medium, dimensions, and a brief artist statement
- Submit — it's free!
- Award
- Gold — Medal + E-Certificate + $1,000 Cash Prize (Top 1); Silver — Medal + E-Certificate + $150 Cash Prize (Top 2–6); Bronze — Medal + E-Certificate + $150 Cash Prize; Honorable Mention — E-Certificate; Top 15 winners receive a Recommendation Letter; Top 30 winners invited to exhibit at MusicOn+ InterArts Festival in Manhattan, New York.
- Entry fee
- Free to enter
- Entries per artist
- Up to 3
- Theme
- An international cross-disciplinary competition celebrating originality and creative thinking across traditional art, science+art, performance art, video art+music, and literature+art, rooted in STEAM philosophy.
- Eligibility
- Open to students in grades 6-12 internationally.
- Audience
- Students in grades 6-12
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.