Next: New York

Yonkers Arts is thrilled to host Next: New York, an international student art competition dedicated to identifying and elevating the world's most gifted young artists. Produced in partnership with Bold Art Society, The Freeman Foundation for the Arts, and Artspark NYC, this inaugural event brings exceptional student artists from around the world to compete, exhibit, and connect with leading creative professionals right here in New York.

Visitors are invited to explore the gallery, experience the incredibly diverse talent, and directly participate by casting votes for their favorite artists.

There will be an Opening Reception on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 6 PM - 9 PM at the Yonkers Arts Project Space (216 Lake Ave, Yonkers, NY, 10701).

Gallery Hours will be:

WEDNESDAYS - FRIDAYS: 3 PM - 6PM | SATURDAYS: 12 PM - 4PM

Public Exhibition & Voting Period: June 26, 2026, to July 17, 2026: The full student exhibition is open to the public. Community members are invited to visit the gallery and cast their votes.

Winners Announcement & Awards Ceremony: July 18, 2026: The inaugural Next: New York class of winners is formally announced and celebrated at the Yonkers Arts Project Space.

Featured Participants & Highlights

  • CEISA (International Participant - Panama): Founded by educator Suzette Archbold, this Panamanian school serves inner-city students in Panama City who navigate systemic hardships. The school uses the arts as a lifeline, and its participating students serve as a testament to the power of creative education.

  • KicknKnowledge (Fashion Partner): An innovative organization that equips the next generation of fashion designers with sustainable career skills and industry connections. They are nominating students to compete in the Fashion Design category.

  • Jackson Georges (Teacher Spotlight - Fine Arts): A prolific, retiring fine arts educator holding dual master's degrees in art history and art education. Georges is nominating exceptional students from his career while returning to his own creative practice, the Global Love Series, which examines the human impact of climate change.

  • Neil Anthony Edwards (Artist Ambassador): A Queens-raised painter and former international athlete drafted to the Los Angeles Clippers out of Stony Brook University. Edwards serves as the competition's Artist Ambassador and will work directly with the fine arts winners on a commissioned creative project.

Partnering Organizations

  • Yonkers Arts: Founded in 2007 by community leaders, Yonkers Arts is the only minority-led non-profit organization in the Carpet Mills Arts District, dedicated to providing an all-encompassing arts infrastructure for the city.

  • Bold Art Society (BAS): Founded by curator, educator, and artist Frank Bold, BAS is a New York-based arts education and production company that centers Black and Brown diasporic creative excellence.

  • The Freeman Foundation for the Arts: A global organization dedicated to empowering underprivileged and marginalized artists through education, funding, mentorship, and advocacy.

  • ArtSpark NYC: An initiative of The Freeman Foundation for the Arts that provides the competition's winners with cultural access, including complimentary tickets to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Whitney Museum of American Art.