2026 Young Tennessee Artists: Selections from Advanced Studio Art Programs

This exhibition invites high school students participating in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) studio art programs during the 2025–26 school year to submit artwork for consideration. The exhibition will be on view from August 28, 2026, through March 2027 (closing date TBD) in the Conte Community Arts Gallery at the Frist Art Museum in Nashville. This is the eleventh biennial presentation of two-dimensional artwork created by high school students in AP and IB studio art programs throughout Tennessee. A panel of university educators, artists, and curators will select up to 35 works for the exhibition. The Frist Art Museum will mat and frame all selected works.

Eligibility is limited to high school students currently enrolled in a certified College Board AP or IB studio art program during the 2025–26 academic year. All works must have been completed for an AP or IB studio art portfolio during this period. The exhibition will feature only two-dimensional artworks; short films (10 minutes or less) are eligible, but no three-dimensional works will be considered.

Students may submit digital images of up to 10 artworks (including films of up to 10 minutes in length) between February 16 and May 11, 2026 (no later than 11:59 p.m. CDT). There is no submission fee. The maximum size for each work is 36 inches on its longest side, and file size must be under 25 MB. Students must provide accurate dimensions for each work as it would be displayed. Selected artists, their families, and teachers will be invited to a reception in December to celebrate the exhibition. By submitting work, students grant the Frist Art Museum permission to photograph, film, or telecast their work for promotional and documentation purposes, and to use submitted materials in promotional and educational efforts including publication on the museum's website and social media, press release, and exhibition materials.