Teen Art Awards Announces Its 4th Season in Qatar, Exploring the Theme of “Belonging”

The 4th edition of Teen Art Awards will invite young artists aged 13–17 from around the world to explore the theme of “Belonging” through contemporary art, identity, culture, memory, roots, home, and community.

The International Open Call will run from 1 August to 1 November 2026, with participation open free of charge to young artists from different countries and backgrounds.

The season will conclude with the Grand Final on 3 December 2026 at Katara Drama Theatre.

Teen Art Awards, an international contemporary art initiative founded by Art.Coordinate Foundation, is pleased to announce the launch of its 4th season in Qatar.

The new season will be officially presented during a press conference at Katara Cultural Village on 29 July 2026, marking the beginning of the next chapter of the initiative and the upcoming International Open Call for young artists aged 13–17.

Teen Art Awards is an international contemporary art platform created to support young artists at the early stages of their creative journey. The project provides teenagers with access to artistic education, cultural exchange, international visibility, and their first steps into the professional art world. Participation in the programme is completely free of charge, allowing young talents from different countries and backgrounds to take part regardless of their financial circumstances.

Over the past seasons, Teen Art Awards has welcomed participants from more than 60 countries and has grown into an international platform connecting young artists, schools, cultural institutions, educators, and creative professionals.

This year’s theme is “Belonging”.

The theme invites young artists to reflect on identity, culture, memory, roots, home, community, and the feeling of connection to a place, people, or group.

Through the theme of belonging, teenagers are encouraged to explore questions that are deeply personal and universal at the same time: Where do we feel at home? What shapes our sense of identity? How do culture, memory, family, language, and community influence the way we see ourselves and the world around us?

The International Open Call will run from 1 August to 1 November 2026 and will be open to young artists aged 13–17from around the world. Participants will be invited to submit their artworks online through the official Teen Art Awards platform. The main categories will include Painting, Graphics, Digital Art, and other relevant forms of visual expression connected to the season’s theme.

Programme Highlights

International Open Call

The International Open Call will invite young artists aged 13–17 from around the world to submit artworks responding to the theme “Belonging”.

International Educational Programme

The season will include an educational programme designed to introduce teenagers to the contemporary art world, creative practice, cultural dialogue, and professional artistic development.

Special Project for Teenagers with Disabilities

The programme will include a special project dedicated to expanding access, inclusion, and creative opportunities for teenagers with disabilities.

Panel Discussion

A public panel discussion is planned to take place on 5 November 2026, bringing together cultural leaders, educators, artists, and creative professionals to reflect on the role of art, education, youth creativity, and cultural belonging in today’s world.

Digital Presentation

A digital presentation is planned as part of the season’s cultural programme, continuing the project’s engagement with contemporary formats of presenting young artists’ work.

Grand Final

The season will conclude with the Grand Final on 3 December 2026 at Katara Drama Theatre, bringing together young artists, cultural partners, jury members, schools, diplomatic guests, ambassadors of participating countries, and international participants.

Daria Kalinina, Founder and President of Art.Coordinate Foundation and Teen Art Awards, said:

“We are very pleased to continue the Teen Art Awards journey in Qatar and to launch the 4th season with the theme ‘Belonging’. This theme feels especially meaningful today, as young people around the world are constantly reflecting on identity, culture, memory, community, and their place in the world. Through Teen Art Awards, we want to give teenagers a platform where their voices can be seen, heard, and valued internationally.”

The upcoming season will bring together young artists, schools, cultural partners, educators, jury members, diplomatic guests, ambassadors, and international participants, creating a space for artistic expression, education, and cultural exchange.

Teen Art Awards continues to believe that young artists should have access not only to competitions, but also to meaningful educational experiences, professional guidance, and opportunities to connect with the international art world. The project aims to support teenagers at an early stage of their creative development and to encourage them to see art as a powerful language for dialogue, reflection, and connection.

Further details about the International Open Call, eligibility criteria, submission requirements, timeline, educational programme, jury, and upcoming events will be announced through the official Teen Art Awards website and communication channels.

For more information, please contact:

Teen Art Awards Art.Coordinate Foundation

Website: www.teenartawards.com

Email: foundation@artcoordinate.com Instagram: @teenartawards

-ENDS-

About Teen Art Awards

Teen Art Awards is an international contemporary art initiative for young artists aged 13–17, founded by Art.Coordinate Foundation. The project supports teenagers through open calls, educational programmes, exhibitions, digital presentations, cultural partnerships, and international visibility. Participation is free of charge.

Over the past seasons, Teen Art Awards has welcomed participants from more than 60 countries and has become a platform for young artists to share their creative voices, develop their artistic practice, and connect with the international art world.

About Art.Coordinate Foundation

Art.Coordinate Foundation is a cultural platform dedicated to developing international art projects, educational programmes, and initiatives that support young artists, cultural dialogue, and access to creative opportunities. Through Teen Art Awards, the Foundation works to create meaningful pathways for teenagers to engage with contemporary art and cultural exchange.