CALL FOR ART: YOUTH SYMPOSIUM ON HOUSING

11:59 PM ET

The 2026 Youth Symposium on Housing is a day-long, statewide gathering that brings together: • Youth and young adults with lived expertise • Homeless and housing service providers • Educators and youth‑serving organizations • Statewide and regional partners • Policy, system, and community leaders. Together, we will focus on building shared understanding, amplifying youth voice, identifying systemic gaps, and co‑creating solutions that increase stability and housing security for youth across Indiana. The selected artwork should reflect the spirit of the event theme: ENGAGE, EMPOWER, EQUIP

The featured artist brings a unique visual perspective that grounds the event in authenticity and lived expertise. This collaboration: • Ensures the symposium reflects the identity, strength, and experiences of young people • Honors art as a form of storytelling, advocacy, and leadership • Provides a platform for young artists to share their voice across Indiana • Celebrates creativity as a powerful tool for belonging and systems change • Strengthens our commitment to uplifting youth at every level of the event

The selected artist will receive an award (VISA gift card), statewide recognition at the Symposium, and featured placement on signage and promotion of event.

Applicants must: • Be 14–24 years old at the time of submission • Live in Indiana (any county)• (Voluntary) Identify as: Currently experiencing homelessness or housing instability, having prior experience with homelessness, couch‑surfing, foster care, or system involvement, having experience in housing security advocacy • Be able to submit an original artwork in an accepted format. No formal art training is required. Creativity, perspective, and message matter most.

If selected, the artwork may be featured in event marketing and print materials, on-site signage and displays, digital and social media promotion, opening or closing sessions, program booklet or statewide campaigns, and/or displayed during event.

Paintings, Drawings, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage, Digital Illustration, Photography, Graphic Art. Not accepted: AI-generated artwork. File format: jpg, jpeg, png

A youth-centered review panel will evaluate submissions using the following criteria: • Mission & Theme Alignment: Artwork reflecting youth empowerment, housing security, and system transformation • Community Relevance: Representation of diverse lived experiences across Indiana •Artistic Impact: Creativity, emotional resonance, and clarity of message, • Usability: Ability to feature the artwork across event environments and platforms • Youth Voice Authentic connection to lived expertise and the artist’s story

Deadline: July 12, 2026 (11:59 P.M. ET), Selection Notification: July 17, 2026, Event Day: September 19, 2026