The 2026 Atlantic Youth Art Festival
2026 Theme | Connections: How we connect with People · Nature · Culture · the World
1st Art Exhibition: August 22–23, 2026
Craft Nova Scotia, Halifax, Nova Scotia
About the Festival
Atlantic Youth Art Festival is an international youth art exhibition that celebrates creativity, imagination, and interdisciplinary thinking. Open to artists aged 5–16 worldwide, the festival encourages young people to explore meaningful ideas, connect art with the world around them, and share their unique perspectives through visual expression. Selected artworks are exhibited annually in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Connections – How We Connect with People · Nature · Culture · the World
Every day, we are connected to something larger than ourselves.
We connect with family and friends through love, trust, and shared experiences. We connect with nature through the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the places that inspire us. We connect with culture through stories, traditions, languages, and creativity. We connect with the wider world through technology, ideas, travel, and the choices we make.
These connections shape who we are and how we understand our place in the world.
The 2026 Atlantic Youth Art Festival invites young artists to explore the many ways connections influence our lives. Through art, we encourage participants to observe relationships, discover patterns, ask questions, and express meaningful ideas about the world around them.
Rather than focusing on a single subject, this theme encourages interdisciplinary thinking — bringing together art, science, history, culture, community, and personal experience.
What connections matter most to you?
How do relationships shape your identity?
What invisible connections influence our lives every day?
What connections help communities thrive?
How might stronger connections create a better future?
We invite you to explore the relationships between people, nature, culture, science, and the world around you, to share your unique perspective through art and help us build a global conversation about the connections that unite us all.
Participants may choose to explore any aspect of the theme, including but not limited to:
1
Connections with People
Family and friendship
Community and belonging
Intergenerational relationships
Kindness, empathy, and support
Working together toward a common goal
2
Connections with Nature
Humans and the natural world
Local ecosystems and biodiversity
Seasonal changes
Environmental stewardship
The relationship between people and place
3
Connections with Culture
Heritage and traditions
Language and identity
Festivals and celebrations
Cultural exchange
Stories passed through generations
4
Connections with The world
5
Connections across disciplines
Who May Enter
Students ages 7-18 from around the world are invited to participate in the Atlantic Youth Art Festival. Enter the division based on your age at the time of entry:
- Kids Division: Age 7-10
- Junior Division: Age 11-14
- Senior Division: Age 15-18
Students can participate as an individual or as a club, class, or group of any size. All students must provide the contact information for an Adult Sponsor (teacher, parent, mentor, etc.) Students who have started college or university are not eligible to participate in the Festival.
1st Art Exhibition Information
Theme
Connections – How We Connect — People, Nature, Culture & the World
Date
August 22 – 23
Venue
August 22 – 23
Exhibition
Artworks by youth aged 7 – 18 are displayed all day, organized by theme. Each piece is labelled with name, age, and a short statement.
Showcase of Recent Creative Works
SPONSORED BY
Atlantica Youth Arts, Culture & Family Society
SPONSORED BY
LinX Creative Art Studio
Our mission
Atlantic Youth Arts, Culture & Family Society is a non-profit organization supporting youth and families through arts, culture, and community engagement, fostering creativity, belonging, and cross-cultural connections.