ESSEX COUNTY TEEN ARTS FESTIVAL

I am proud of the skill and creativity that our students exhibit in the arts, whether it’s on stage, in the studio or in the gallery. Our Essex County Teen Arts Festival is an opportunity to showcase the talent found in our 22 municipalities and share it with the public. We look forward to our teenage artists participating in this exciting event.

Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Essex County Executive
and the Board of County Commissioners

SAVE THE DATE APRIL 29, 2026!

Essex County Teen Arts Festival is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026. We invite all Essex County teens ages 13-19 to experience professional critiques in visual, writing, and performing arts. Join us for a day-long festival that celebrates the arts. We welcome Essex County teens to participate in classes and workshops dedicated to fine and performing arts. They also have the opportunity to meet other artists and their peers from across Essex County. The visual art pieces that have been submitted for adjudication will also be on display during the festival.

This year’s festival will take place at the South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange that includes Turtle Back Zoo, Education Building, and the Codey Arena. Space is limited; register early for this event.

There are Many Ways to Experience the Essex County Teen Arts Festival

Artwork

Creative Writing

Submit your artwork and creative wirting prior to the April 29, 2026 Teen Arts Festival. Teen artists are invited to have their visual artwork or their creative writing submitted to be evaluated by art professionals prior to the festival. Visual Artwork pieces will be displayed at the Festival.

Submit Artwork

Submit Creative Writing

Dance

Instrumental

Vocal

Participate in the Teen Arts Festival on April 29, 2026 at South Mountain Recreation Complex. Experience professional critiques in dance, vocal performance and instrumental performance. Register to perform and be evaluated at the Festival for performances in dance, vocal and/or instrumental. Registration for performing arts adjudication covers registration for the students to attend the festival

Registration for Dance, Voice, Instrumental Performances Opens: January 12, 2026!

Attend Festival

and

Workshops

Attend the Teen Arts Festival on
April 29, 2026 at South Mountain Recreation Complex. Spend the day at South Mountain Recreation Complex and participate in the Essex County Teen Arts Festival arts workshops.

Festival Registration Opens: January 12, 2026!

Festival Registration

Important Dates
and Deadlines

Submission and Festival Registration Open: January 12
Visual Art and Creative Writing Submission Closes: March 22
Festival and Performance Registration Closes: April 24
Festival Date: April 29
Visual Art Evaluation Forms Available: May 4
Online Gallery Available: May 11
NJ State Teen Arts Festival: June 2026

2026 Submission
Allowance & Fees

School Size/Individual	Allowed Submissions for Creative Writing or Artwork	Allowed Submissions for Dance, Vocal or Instrumental	Fees
INDEPENDENT ENTRY (1)	1 Submission	Not Accepted	Fees Are Waived
GROUP 1 & 2 SCHOOLS	15 Submissions	1 Submission	Fees Are Waived
GROUP 3 SCHOOLS	20 Submissions	1 Submission	Fees Are Waived
GROUP 4 SCHOOLS	25 Submissions	1 Submission	Fees Are Waived

Made possible by funds from the Essex County Division of Cultural Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Essex County Teen Arts Festival
South Mountain Recreation Complex
560 Northfield Ave.
West Orange, NJ 07052

Any questions, please email Maressa McFarlane, Event Manager, at mmcfarlane@parks.essexcountynj.org