(MATAWAN, NJ) -- Teen Arts New Jersey, the state's leading teen arts organization, announced a new program utilizing art as a vehicle to promote activism leading to positive community change. Creative Change Makers is an annual open call for New Jersey-based student artists (Grades 9-12) in visual, literary, and performing arts. This year’s inaugural theme is Sustainable Arts: Creating with Consciousness.
The organization, which sponsors award winning programs such as Arts High and the New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival is inviting student artists to submit visual, performing or literary based works that explore the theme of sustainable art, emphasizing on messages that focus on environmental issues and how they are impacting animal ecosystems, our health, our communities, and our futures. Artists are asked to highlight the power of creativity in promoting sustainability and reimagining our relationship with the planet.
“We wanted to provide an opportunity for New Jersey’s talented teen artists to use their medium of choice to inspire dialogue and action for a more sustainable future,” said Kevin Ciak, Teen Arts New Jersey Executive Director and CEO. “We hope that all of New Jersey’s teen artists will join us in transforming art into a catalyst for change and a celebration of our commitment to the environment,” he continued.
Students may submit as an individual artist, collaborative group (2-4) artists, or community arts advocates (5-9) artists.
Creative Changemakers will result in a group art exhibition in the Spring of 2026. The exhibition will feature visual artwork, performing art pieces, spoken word, and documentation of projects. Student artists and their mentors, schools and families will be invited to attend an opening reception. Performing artists will be invited to showcase their work live, alongside the visual arts exhibit.
Individual Student Artists from each of the following categories: literary, visual, and performing arts, showing exceptional skill and creativity in their medium will be eligible to receive a $500 Honorarium.
Collaborative Groups and Community Arts Advocates can earn a stipend to the school arts department or art related club of their choice for $1,000.
Award winners will be announced at the Opening Reception and will be invited to attend The New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival (June 2026) for a featured panel discussion to share their work, creative processes, and experience participating in the Creative Change Makers Open Call for Art, as a special feature at the festival.
The exhibition, and all events corresponding with it, are free and open to the public.
Students or educators who wish to learn more about the Creative Change Makers Open Call for Art, and how to get involved, may attend a virtual meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 3:00pm. The session will also be recorded and provided to all those who register in advance.
Those interested may register for the virtual session by visiting https://teenartsnj.org/creative-change-makers-zoom-info-session/
If you would like to sponsor the Creative Changemakers Program, contact Teen Arts NJ’s Executive Director, Kevin Ciak at: [email protected] to learn how your contribution will support young artists inspired by making a change.
Teen Arts NJ, formerly known as the Arts & Education Center is a 501 c(3) non profit organization established in 1969. Recognized by the New Jersey Department of Education for innovative arts programming, the organization founded the Arts High program which provides unparalleled learning opportunities for gifted artistic students by providing instruction from a renowned artist in their genre. They also sponsor and organize the New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival - a three day celebration of the Teen Arts complete with performances, workshops, and live adjudication of student artistic talent.
Teen Arts New Jersey provides comprehensive programming, support, access, and resources to empower students to explore, excel, and thrive creatively. They are leaders in a community that empowers every young artist with the resources to confidently pursue their dreams by bridging creativity with opportunity.
