The Young Artists and Authors Showcase (YAAS) is an annual contest that encourages youth worldwide to express the mission of Sister Cities International through original artwork, literature, photography, and music.
The County of Hawaii is a member of Sister Cities International, which aims to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.
Submissions are centered around an annual theme and judged based on creativity, composition, and theme interpretation. This year’s theme is Generation Rescue: Sustainable Water for All. Climate change has become an undeniably harsh reality in our lives, making the importance of raising awareness and taking action more essential every day. As temperatures rise, water patterns are disrupted, ecosystems are disturbed, cultures are affected, and energy resources are proven to be unsustainable for long-term use. These ongoing changes impact our local and global communities in every aspect, and youth are the key to tackling this global reality.
Selected grand prize winners in each category will win a $1,000 prize, second place winners will win $250, and third place winners will be awarded $100. In addition, winners’ artwork will be displayed on the Sister Cities Website after the winners are announced during the Youth Leadership Summit.
There is no fee to submit an entry to YAAS at the national office. Students must be 13-18 years old to participate. Students interested in participating should call Jane Clement, Sister Cities Protocol Officer for the County of Hawaii, at (808) 323-4441.
For more information, visit sistercities.org