2026 Winners
(to view the winning submissions, click the images!)
Literary Arts
1st place
The Mysterious Purple Thumb Festival
Alesha Khan
2nd place
The Curse of Affiliation
Preesha Halder
3rd Place
2016, reframed & You Shouldn't Have All of This
Michelle Li
Visual Arts
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1st place
Voces que no callan.
Marsi Rodriguez Navarro
2nd place
The Colors of My Democracy
Jessie Li
3rd Place
Champions Without Borders
Dana Yussup
Civic Changemaker Awards
Literary Arts
Korematsu
Harini Senthil
Performance
VOICE
Blessing Joy Madriaga
Visual Arts
(Upbringing Is Destiny)تربیت ہی تقدیر ہے
Haleema Sher
Introduction
Canvas the Vote is hosting a youth art competition where creativity fuels democracy. Through painting, poetry, performance, & more, young people will share what civic participation means to them, and prove that youth voices shape the future, even before the ballot box.
General Prompt: Your Voice. Your Vote. Your Canvas.
Show us how you imagine democracy, community, and the future. What issues matter to you? How do youth voices shape change? Use your art to amplify participation and make your vision visible.
Who Can Join? Open to all youth ages 14–24.
Visual Arts:
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $50
3rd Place: $25
Certificates & social media spotlight for all winners
Key Dates
Deadline: January 31, 2026 (11:59 PM PST)
Literary Arts:
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $50
3rd Place: $25
People’s Choice Awards (Any Category):
Two winners: $75 each, based on public voting
General Guidelines
CATEGORIES & PROMPTS
1. VISUAL ARTS
includes painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, photography, digital art
Example Questions for Inspiration:
- What does democracy look like to you?
- If justice had a face, how would you paint it?
- How would you design a poster to inspire your generation to take action?
- What colors, symbols, or images capture the future you want to build?
2. PERFORMANCE
Includes spoken word, dance, theater, original song, music video, short film
Example Questions for Inspiration:
- How does your community move, sound, or fight for change?
- Perform the story of an issue you want others to notice.
- If democracy had a rhythm, what would it be?
- Show us what hope, struggle, or unity looks like in motion
3. LITERARY ARTS
Includes poetry, short stories, essays
Example Questions for Inspiration:
- Write a letter to your future self about the world you want to inherit.
- What voices are missing from the conversation?
- Tell a story about a moment when you (or someone you know) felt the power of being heard.
- If your words could cast a “vote,” what issue would they stand for?
HOW TO SUBMIT
All submissions must include:
- Your name, age, school/organization
- Title of your piece
- Category
- A 100–150 word artist statement
1. VISUAL ARTS
Format: Upload a high-quality image (JPG/PNG) or PDF.
Size Limit: Up to 3 pieces (but no larger than 10MB each).
2. PERFORMANCE
Format: Video upload (MP4, MOV, or YouTube/Vimeo link).
Time Limit: 3 minutes maximum.
3. LITERARY ARTS
Format: Upload a PDF of your work.
Word Limit:
- Poetry: up to 2 pages (double-spaced if prose poetry).
- Short stories/essays: max 1,000 words.
Follow us for updates on Instagram: @canvasthevote
FAQ
Q: Do I need to be old enough to vote?
A: No! This contest is about showing how all youth voices matter.
Q: Can I enter multiple categories?
A: Yes, but only one piece per category.
Q: What counts as “civic art”?
A: Anything that explores democracy, community, justice, or your vision for the future.
Q: How do I submit?
A: Upload your work via our Google Form (images, PDFs, MP4s). Large files can be linked via Google Drive.
Q: Can I submit something I already made?
A: Yes! As long as it doesn’t infringe on copyright rules of previously submitted contests.
For any further questions, email us at canvasthevote@gmail.com!