2025 Youth Art Contest + Youth Talent Show
The NC Folk Festival is excited to announce the return of two favorite youth-focused programs for the 2025 season: the Youth Art Contest and CHROMATICA Youth Talent Show. These initiatives spotlight the imagination and diversity of North Carolina’s next generation of artists and performers—inviting young people statewide to share their voices, visions, and talents with the community.
“Each year, we’re amazed by the energy and imagination our youth bring to the festival,” said Jodee Ruppel, Executive Director of the NC Folk Festival. “These programs are a vital part of our mission to inspire creativity, foster community and celebrate folk traditions in every form.”
2025 Youth Art Contest – Now Open for Submissions
The 2025 Youth Art Contest invites young visual artists in grades K-12 to submit original artwork inspired by the festival’s spirit and this year’s theme: "Folk is.” Young artists are encouraged to explore and express their own personal definition of folk—whether through music, traditions, stories, or cultural heritage. This theme celebrates the many ways folk shapes identity, builds community, and fosters connection.
Selected artworks will be exhibited at the NC Folk Festival, Sept. 12-14, offering young artists a public platform to showcase their creativity. Submissions are open now through June 30, and winners will be announced in early summer. For entry guidelines and submission forms, visit www.ncfolkfestival.com/youthart.
CHROMATICA Youth Talent Show – Live on Stage this September
Presented by CHROMATICA, a program of the nonprofit A Collective of Excellence, Inc. (ACE), the CHROMATICA Youth Talent Contest & Showcase is a statewide call for North Carolina’s rising stars to share their voice, craft and creativity.
This dynamic competition invites youth ages 18 and under to submit videos showcasing their musical talents for a chance to be featured as part of the NC Folk Festival’s official programming. From singers and instrumentalists to spoken word artists and more—young performers from across the state are encouraged to step into the spotlight.
A select group of finalists will be chosen to perform live during the festival weekend in a special youth showcase at The Flat Iron on Sunday, September 14. One standout artist will receive a title of excellence, community recognition and the potential for future performance opportunities through ACE and CHROMATICA.
“I’ve always had a passion for celebrating the excellence of young people across North Carolina,” said Jordan Lee, Founder of CHROMATICA and ACE. “Through CHROMATICA, we’re not just showcasing talent – we’re building a space for youth voices to rise, for confidence to grow and for artistic excellence to be celebrated statewide.”
Audition submissions are open through June 30, with selected acts to be announced in August. For entry guidelines and submission forms, visit www.ncfolkfestival.com/youthtalent.
Both the Youth Art Contest and CHROMATICA Youth Talent Show are free to enter and are designed to empower youth across North Carolina to engage with folk traditions while expressing their own creative identity.
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About the NC Folk Festival
The North Carolina Folk Festival, to be held Sept 12-14 in downtown Greensboro, is a nonprofit organization (501c3) that produces transformative celebrations of cultures; where music, art and food unite communities, inspire creativity and drive lasting cultural and economic growth across North Carolina. Visit www.ncfolkfestival.com for more information.
About CHROMATICA
CHROMATICA is a program of A Collective of Excellence (ACE), a North Carolina-based nonprofit organization. CHROMATICA creates low-barrier, high-impact artistic experiences that elevate intergenerational voices through creative and collaborative experiences. When organized as a performance unit, CHROMATICA draws together diverse talents from across communities to co-create joyful and dynamic artistic moments. Visit https://aceuniversity.org/chromatica/ for more information.