As part of Sister Cities International's annual Young Artists and Authors Showcase (YAAS), the Culver City Sister City Committee is requesting entries from our local youth to submit in six different categories of the nationwide competition. The theme for this year's competition is "United in Hope", highlighting the importance of citizen diplomacy and the innovative ways in which citizen diplomats can achieve peace through people-to-people interactions. The winner in each category will receive $1,000 from SCI, with $250 and $100 being awarded to second and third place entries.

The Culver City Sister City Committee is looking for up to five winners in each of six categories: artists, authors, photographers, poets, musicians (original) and musicians (reinterpreted). The grand prize winner of the overall Culver City contest will be awarded $500, and local winners in each of the categories will have their projects submitted to SCI's international competition. Participants must be between the ages of 13 and 18 as of April 1, 2021 and they must live in Culver City.

Applicants should review all YAAS competition guidelines, which can be found at http://www.sistercities.org/YAAS, and should be sure that all submissions adhere to those guidelines. All entries and digital art (photos of art are acceptable) should be emailed, along with applicant's name, address and telephone number, to CCSCC President Kathleen McCann at kathleenmccannccscc@gmail.com prior to the submission deadline of Thursday, April 1. Additional questions may be directed to Kathleen at the email address shown.