Youth Art Contest

Are you a young artist with ideas to share?

We’re inviting local youth ages 13–24 to take part in our Hoodie Design Contest, themed Cowichan Youth Perspectives.

This is your chance to create original artwork that shows who you are, what community means to you, and where you belong.

Finalists in each category will win prizes, and the winning designs will be featured on the new CVYS hoody, worn by youth, staff, and community members. It’s a fun way to get your art seen and be part of something that represents youth voices in the Cowichan Valley.

Submission Package

Heart Template

Contest Details

(Also available by downloading the submission package)

Theme: Cowichan Youth Perspectives

We are inviting youth to design a hoodie sleeve emblem that celebrates who we are the the youth we serve. All designs will be printed as a 4-inch heart on the sleeve, using a shared heart template.

Design Categories:

Each design must be submitted to one of the following categories:

Open Youth Category - Open to any local youth. Designs may reflect personal identity, community connections, everyday life, resilience, or belonging from a youth perspective in the Cowichan Valley.
Indigenous Youth Category - Open to Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, & Inuit) youth. Designs may express culture, identity, connections to land and community, lived experience and strength. Designs must be created by Indigenous youth and should reflect Indigenous perspectives respectfully and authentically.
2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Category - Open to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Designs may explore identity, pride, visibility, safety, resilience, self-expression, and belonging within the community.

Who can enter:

Open to youth ages 13-24. Original artwork only. One entry per eligible category. Design must be appropriate for all ages.

Design Guidelines:

All designs must be created using the provided heart template. Designs must fit entirely within the designated template. (Download the template from our website or ask us for a copy.)
One-sided design only. The final artwork will be printed as a 4-inch heart on the hoodie sleeve.
Full-colour designs are welcome! Design for a small space. Because the design will be printed on a small scale: Use bold, clear imagery. Avoid small details and fine lines.

The Submission Deadline is May 15, 2026

How to Submit:

Submit your design in one of the following ways: