About the COMPETITION

With our community support, the 2025 Beyond the Cloud Art Competition for Jersey City youth (ages 14–21, of all abilities) was a tremendous success—engaging talented young artists from across the city and celebrating their creativity through public exhibition at IMUR Gallery. 

Building on that momentum, we are now preparing for the 2026 competition, which will be expanded, reimagined, and renamed to better serve our community’s artistic growth.

Thanks to funding from the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund, the 2026 program will

introduce exciting new elements to deepen engagement, broaden access, and strengthen

mentorship opportunities for students.

Participants must be children and young adults from Jersey City Schools at age range: 14 to 21 years at the time of submission.

Artwork submitted can be produced in the classroom or at home. 

One original artwork per participant.

Submissions go through the student’s teacher, who will submit for the school’s competition.

Application form (provided at the end of this page) must be attached to the back of the artwork with participant’s name, age, and brief description.

All submissions must be received by 12 PM, February 16, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.

IMUR Gallery (67 Greene St, Jersey City) must receive entries collected by the Board of Education or private organizations by 5 PM, February 16, 2026

Artwork must interpret Secret Garden, exploring hidden worlds, inner growth, or spaces of imagination, refuge, and discovery.

Accepted mediums include any 2D visual art forms, such as painting, drawing, prints, photography, and mixed media.

All submitted artworks must be original and created solely by the participant.

Works that have been previously exhibited or published are not eligible.

Dimensions: Artwork must not exceed 12" x 18".

Display-Ready: Each piece must be appropriately prepared for display, such as being framed, matted, or mounted.

·  Thirty artworks will be exhibited at Art House Productions Lobby, March 18–22, 2026.

·  Opening Reception: Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 4:30–6:30 PM at Art House Productions, 345 Marin Blvd, Jersey City

·  Awards: $100 prizes for Best Creativity, Best Originality, Best Technical Skill, and Best Storytelling, plus art supplies for each selected participant.

Returned to the school board by 3 PM, March 23, 2026, or Pick Up by Private Orgnizations