Youth Arts Festival - Petoskey
YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL 2026
Every spring, Crooked Tree Arts Center - Petoskey hosts the Youth Art Festival, a season celebrating young creatives in Northern Michigan. The festival includes a range of events that showcase local talent, including the Youth Arts Show, Youth Arts College Scholarships, and more. The season concludes at the Youth Arts Awards Night, where more than 150 awards to talented young people across visual arts, performing arts, and writing.
Interested in helping us recognize and encourage the next generation of visual artists?
Donate today and help sponsor a Youth Art Show student award or Youth Arts Scholarship in Petoskey or Traverse City (TC)!
EXHIBIT
On View:
Venue: Bonfield & gilbert galleries
Annual Youth Arts Show
Get ready for Crooked Tree Arts Center - Petoskey's annual Youth Art Show! Beginning March 17, the Gilbert and Bonfield Galleries will be covered floor to ceiling with thousands of unique works of art created by area student artists.
Awards will be selected during the first month of the exhibition and announced at our awards ceremony on Thursday, April 16, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Award-winning artists will be notified by their teacher one week prior to the ceremony.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Petoskey Youth Arts Festival ReceptionLocation:Date: Mar 21, 2026Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PMAge Group: FamilyCTAC - Petoskey461 East Mitchell, Petoskey MI 49770Details
Join us in celebrating the artwork created by student artists working across the Char-Em ISD, Kindergarten through Grade 12, during the annual Youth Arts Show Opening Reception. Both our Gilbert and Bonfield Galleries will be covered from floor to ceiling with beautiful, unique works of art from our local students.
On Saturday, March 21, from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm, the public is invited to view the exhibit and enjoy punch and cookies!
This event is free and open to the public.
FreePetoskey Youth Art Show Awards NightLocation:Date: Apr 16, 2026Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PMAge Group: FamilyCTAC - Petoskey - CTAC Theater461 East Mitchell, Petoskey MI 49770DetailsPlease join us as we honor and celebrate the 2026 Youth Arts Awards honorees and winners on Thursday, April 16 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.
This event will recognize the honorees and winners from the Youth Arts Show and the Youth Arts College Scholarships, as well as celebrate the accomplishments of CTAC School of Ballet students. Award-winning artists will be notified by their teacher one week prior to the ceremony.
Please join us for cake and refreshments after the awards ceremony.
2026 Annual Youth Arts Show - Petoskey
Participation Details for Teachers
This opportunity is open to young artists (grades K-12) working throughout the Char-Em ISD region. Original works of art are showcased in CTAC's Gilbert and Bonfield Galleries. Participation is organized by the art teacher.
Deadline to Sign Up to Participate: Friday, February 6, 2026Click hear to learn more and submit your intent to participate!
Crooked Tree Arts Center's Youth Arts College Scholarships
CTAC is offering two $2,000 scholarships for graduating high school seniors.
Key Dates:
- The application and full details will be available and open for submission on January 19, 2026.
- The deadline for consideration is March 14, 2026.
- All winners will be invited to attend CTAC’s Youth Arts Award Night reception at CTAC - Petoskey on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 6:00 pm. Scholarship winners will also be announced at school award ceremonies.
Please note that family members of CTAC or CTAC’s Board of Directors are not eligible for this scholarship.