Annual Chicagoland Children’s Stories & Art Exhibition
2026 Theme: “If Stories Could Come Alive”
What would happen if a favorite story stepped beyond the page and came alive through art?
The Annual Chicagoland Children’s Stories & Art Exhibition invites children and teens to transform stories into original works of art inspired by books, fairy tales, myths, legends, folktales, family stories, and audio stories.
Through reading, listening, imagination, and creativity, young artists are encouraged to explore the stories that inspire them and share their unique vision with the community.
All artworks that meet the participation guidelines (see Participation & Selection Information below) will be included in the exhibition.
Every accepted artwork will be showcased online, allowing families, friends, educators, libraries, and community members to enjoy and celebrate the creativity of young artists.
In addition, all accepted artworks will be included in a printed exhibition catalog created as a lasting record of the Annual Chicagoland Children’s Stories & Art Exhibition.
Why Stories Matter
Stories help children explore emotions, discover new ideas, develop empathy, and imagine worlds beyond their own experiences.
Whether shared through books, family traditions, fairy tales, legends, myths, or audio storytelling, stories inspire curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning.
At 365 for Kids, we believe that stories are powerful tools that help children grow, dream, and connect with others. This exhibition celebrates that connection by inviting young artists to transform stories into visual art and share their imagination with the community.
Who Can Participate
The exhibition is open to children and teens throughout the Chicagoland area.
Age Categories: Ages 6–9; Ages 10–13; Ages 14–17
Participation & Selection Guidelines
- Participation is free.
- Each participant may submit one original artwork inspired by a story, book, fairy tale, myth, legend, folktale, family story, or audio story.
- Artwork must be created by the participating child or teen and should reflect thoughtful effort, creativity, and a meaningful connection to the exhibition theme.
- Handmade artwork is required. Any traditional art medium may be used. AI-generated images, copied images, or artwork created primarily by an adult are not eligible.
- Artwork must be appropriate for a children’s educational and community exhibition. Submissions may not contain offensive, discriminatory, hateful, violent, sexual, or otherwise inappropriate content.
- Participants submit a photograph of their artwork through the official online application form.
- All participants who submit a valid entry by the deadline will receive a Certificate of Participation by email.
- All artworks that meet the participation guidelines will be included in the exhibition. Accepted artworks may be featured in the virtual exhibition, online galleries, exhibition publications, social media, and the official exhibition catalog.
- Awards will be presented to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each age category.
- The exhibition organizers reserve the right to decline submissions that do not meet the participation guidelines. All exhibition, publication, gallery, and award selections are made at the sole discretion of the organizing committee. Decisions of the organizing committee are final.
- View PDF file with the full Participation & Selection Guidelines
2026 Exhibition Timeline
Artwork submissions are now open, and families are welcome to apply as soon as their child’s artwork is ready.
Submission Deadline: November 1, 2026
Selection Results Announced: December 10, 2026
Official Exhibition Catalog Published: December 10, 2026
Virtual Exhibition Opens: December 10, 2026
Judging & Awards
All submitted artworks will be reviewed by a panel of artist-educators.
Awards are presented in each age category (6–9, 10–13, and 14–17).
🥇 1st Prize – Drawing & Painting Set, Printed Exhibition Catalog, and 1st Place Certificate
🥈 2nd Prize – Book Set, Printed Exhibition Catalog, and 2nd Place Certificate
🥉 3rd Prize – Printed Exhibition Catalog and 3rd Place Certificate
How to Participate
Step 1
Create one original handmade artwork inspired by:
- A book
- A fairy tale
- A myth
- A legend
- A folktale
- A family story
- An audio story
Get inspired by our AUDIO LIBRARY of hundreds of fairy tales and stories.
Step 2
Complete the online submission form and upload a photograph of your artwork.
Participants will be asked to provide:
- Artwork Title
- Story That Inspired the Artwork
Short Description of the Artwork
Step 3
Wait for the exhibition results and virtual gallery announcement.
All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation by email.
Participation is free.
Get inspired by our
AUDIO LIBRARY
of hundreds of fairy tales and stories.
Submit Your Artwork
Ready to bring your story to life through art?
Children and teens ages 6–17 are invited to submit one original handmade artwork inspired by
a story, book, fairy tale, myth, legend, folktale, family story, or audio story.
Participation is free, and all participants will receive a Certificate of Participation by email.
We look forward to seeing how stories inspire your creativity.
Community Partners
Libraries, schools, and community organizations play an important role in helping children discover the joy of stories, learning, imagination, and creativity.
The Annual Chicagoland Children’s Stories & Art Exhibition is designed as a community-centered educational initiative that brings together young artists, families, educators, and cultural organizations throughout the Chicagoland area.
We welcome partnerships with public libraries, schools, educational programs, youth organizations, cultural centers, and community groups that would like to help share this opportunity with local families.
Together, we can encourage more children to read, listen, imagine, create, and express themselves through art.
Why Become a Community Partner?
The Annual Chicagoland Children’s Stories & Art Exhibition is a free educational and cultural initiative that encourages children and teens to connect stories, imagination, and artistic expression through art.
By becoming a Community Partner, your organization helps bring meaningful creative opportunities to local families while supporting literacy, creativity, and community engagement throughout the Chicagoland area.
Benefits for Community Partners
- Support a free educational and cultural opportunity for children and teens
- Help promote reading, storytelling, imagination, creativity, and artistic expression
- Support literacy, creativity, and community engagement goals within your organization and community
- Receive recognition as an official Community Partner of the exhibition
- Be acknowledged on the exhibition website, in exhibition publications, and in the official exhibition catalog
- Receive a complimentary copy of the official exhibition catalog
- Share the exhibition and its outcomes with your community through your website, newsletters, social media, and programs
- Participate in a regional educational and cultural initiative that celebrates young artists across Chicagoland
A Meaningful Community Impact
Community Partners help children discover the joy of stories, reading, listening, imagination, and creativity.
Together, we can provide young artists with an opportunity to share their work, gain recognition for their efforts, and become part of a community-wide celebration of creativity and learning.
How to Become a Community Partner
Step 1
Ready to support the initiative?
Download the Community Partner resources you’ll need to share the exhibition with your community.
- Event Flyer
- Printable Poster
- Participation Guidelines
- Community Partner Guide
- Community Promotion Kit
- Media Kit
All resources are provided as downloadable PDF files and may be freely shared for the purpose of promoting the Annual Chicagoland Children’s Stories & Art Exhibition.
Step 2
Complete the Community Partnership Form
Tell us about your organization and how you plan to share the exhibition so we can stay in touch, recognize your support, and include your organization on the exhibition website, in the official exhibition catalog, and in other exhibition materials.
Become a Community Partner
Help inspire young readers, listeners, and artists throughout the Chicagoland community.
Community partners help families discover the exhibition by sharing information through newsletters, websites, social media, displays, educational programs, and community events.
We welcome partnerships with libraries, schools, school districts, educational organizations, cultural centers, youth programs, and community groups.
Participation is free, requires minimal time, and helps connect children with meaningful educational and creative opportunities.
We would be honored to recognize your organization as a Community Partner of the Annual Chicagoland Children’s Stories & Art Exhibition.