Are you a Chicago teen who loves creating art? Want to share your work for more people to see it? Would you like the opportunity to win prizes for your artistic work? Submit your art to our 10th annual Teen Winter Challenge art competition. Our application form below is open from January 1 to March 1, 2025.
Submission Guidelines
Who: High school students between 13 to 19 who live in the City of Chicago.
What: Submit a portfolio of one to three original works created in the past two years, along with an artist statement.
When: Submit your portfolio before March 1, 2025.
Why: Every applicant will have one work included in the 10th annual Teen Winter Challenge digital catalog, which will be archived online. Winners and finalists will have work included in a print catalog, which will be added to the YOUmedia Zine collection. Submissions are also eligible to win monetary prizes and an exhibition opportunity.
Where: The 2025 submission form is available below.
Prizes
Every applicant will have at least one work featured in the digital Teen Winter Challenge catalog. Of these works, up to 25 exceptional pieces will receive one of the following Amazon gift card amounts, as well as mounted exhibition at Harold Washington Library Center that remains on display to the next season:
Senior Achievement Award - Open to high school seniors
- Grand prize: $200 gift card
- First and second runners-up: $100 gift card
Young Artist Award - Open to high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors
- Grand prize: $200 gift card
- First and second runners-up: $100 gift card
Distinction of Merit - Open to all Chicago high school students
- Honorable mentions (up to 19 awards): $50 gift card
Winners will be notified by Spring 2025. By submitting your portfolio, you authorize Chicago Public Library to post a copy of your work with first name, last initial attribution in the Chicago Public Library collection as well as on our website, social media channels and other marketing initiatives.
Teen Winter Challenge Submission Form
Submissions will open on January 1, 2025.
