Creative Native - Center for Native American Youth

Highlighting the creativity and expression of young Indigenous artists

SUBMISSIONS OPEN: We want to see your art inspired by what an Indigenous future looks like to you! Accepting submissions now through December 20, 2026.

Get Creative!

About the Program

The Creative Native Call for Art by the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) celebrates a cornerstone of many Indigenous cultures by providing space and support for young Native artists, ages 5-24, to showcase their talents. Recognizing the diversity in artistic expression among tribes, all mediums are welcomed. This includes, but is not limited to: painting, drawing, pottery, sculpture, photography and traditional works (beadwork, jewelry, regalia, silversmithing and carving).

Get Involved

The 9th annual Creative Native Call for Art by the Center for Native American Youth is accepting submissions now through December 20, 2026.

This year, submissions should respond to the following prompt:

What does an Indigenous Future look like to you? What does your Indigenous future include? Does it look like crisp and clean flowing rivers full of fish? Does it look like bountiful fields of traditional foods? Does it look like traditional Indigenous languages being spoken by all? All interpretations welcome!

Featured artwork is by 2025 Creative Native artist Nizhoni Toledo (Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation).

All artists who submit will be featured in the CNAY Creative Native Gallery and have the opportunity to receive national recognition and a categorical award of $300. One artist between the ages of 15 and 24 will also be recognized as the grand prize winner, and receive $1,000.

Each artist may submit one (1) artwork/ piece for the contest with a description of up to 100 words. Artists can submit up to three (3) images for each entry to showcase different angles of the piece. For more information about Creative Native, please review our complete list of Rules & Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), or contact cnayinfo@aspeninstitute.org.

Artists must electronically submit a high-resolution photo of their art – by December 20, 2026 at 11:59pm ET – using the 2026 Creative Native Call for Art Entry Form. Late submissions will not be judged.

Submission Eligibility

Native American or Indigenous
Between the ages of 5 and 24 years old (on the application deadline)
Currently reside in the United States

Winner Categories

5 to 9 years old
10 to 15 years old
16 to 19 years old
20 to 24 years old

*To be eligible for the grand prize, artists must be between the ages of 16 and 24.

SUBMIT NOW

Learn More

The call was established in 2018 by former Fellow and renowned artist Del Curfman (Apsáalooke). We thank Del for his commitment to the arts. Each year, CNAY asks Native youth to submit art inspired by a unique prompt. The 8th annual Creative Native Call for Art asked What is sacred to you?