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?

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EXHIBIT

On View: tUESDAY, mARCH 17 - sATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026
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 Reception
Date: Mar 21, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Age Group: Family
Location:
CTAC - Petoskey
461 East Mitchell, Petoskey MI 49770
Details
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.
Free
Petoskey Youth Art Show Awards Night
Date: Apr 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Age Group: Family
Location:
CTAC - Petoskey - CTAC Theater
461 East Mitchell, Petoskey MI 49770
Details
Please 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.
Free

College Scholarships

Crooked Tree Arts Center is pleased to offer two scholarship opportunities this year to support graduating seniors pursuing studies in the arts:

Crooked Tree Arts Center's Youth Arts Scholarships is open to all CTAC - Petoskey and CTAC - Traverse City service area students
The Debra McAndrew Memorial Endowed Scholarship is open to CTAC - Petoskey area students only

Students only need to complete one application and will automatically be considered for either scholarship, based on eligibility and review by the selection committee.

Deadline for submission: Sunday, March 22, 2026

To Apply

Complete the Scholarship Application Form, including all materials required.
Submit Teacher Recommendation Forms ; two recommendations required per student.

Please note that family members of CTAC or CTAC’s Board of Directors are not eligible for this scholarship.

Young Writers Exposition is moving!

CTAC is no longer hosting the Young Writers Exposition as part of our Youth Arts Festival at Crooked Tree Arts Center. This writing-centered programming will be moving over to the Petoskey District Library in 2027. We have appreciated featuring your students' works and celebrating award-winning writing by area youth but felt that this focus area was better suited as a Library program moving forward.

Please reach out to Children's Librarian Megan Goedge at mgoedge@petoskeylibrary.org if you are interested in participating in 2027 or have questions about the Young Writers Exposition.