Are you a Chicago teen who loves creating art? Would you like the opportunity to win prizes for sharing your artistic work? Submit your art to our 11th annual Teen Winter Challenge art competition. Our application form below is open from January 1 to February 1, 2026.
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 February 1, 2026.
Why: Every applicant will have one work included in the 11th annual Teen Winter Challenge digital catalog, which will be viewable and 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. There is also an additional prize opportunity to have your art featured on our 2026 Gamer’s Universe con badges and the option to be included in our Artist Alley.
Where: The 2026 submission form is available below starting January 1st.
For more information and inspiration, check out our Teen Winter Challenge Tips for Crafting Your Artist Statement & Portfolio Zine.
Prizes
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 high school students
- Honorable mentions (up to 19 awards): $50 gift card
Finalists
Open to all high school students
- No prize award.
- Inclusion in the limited edition TWC print catalog which is entered into the Chicago Public Library collection.
Gamer's Universe Featured Artist
Open to all high school students
- Submit your art to be featured on one of three convention badges for Gamer's Universe 2026. Badges will be handed out to con attendees, exhibitors, and staff. Your art will be cropped to fit the badge dimensions, but artists will have final approval for image and text placement.
- Prize: $200 and a table in the 2026 Gamer's Universe artist alley (optional)
All Applicants
- Inclusion in the digital TWC catalog. See last year's 10th Annual Teen Winter Challenge Digital Catalog.
*REMINDER: To be eligible to submit your work, you must be a high school student between the ages of 13 and 19 who lives in the City of Chicago. Please note that students who are in middle school, live outside of Chicago, attend a suburban high school or who are currently enrolled in college will not be included in the competition.
Winners will be notified by early Spring 2026. 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, 2026.
