Entertainment
8 February, 2026
Search on for digital artists
FAR North youth are being encouraged to embrace Queensland Youth Week which runs from Saturday 11 April to Sunday 19 April. The statewide initiative will be a celebration of the achievements and contributions of young Queenslanders aged 12 to 25.
The aim of the week is to empower young people to lead events, showcase their talents and share their stories by applying for grants of up to $10,000 to run exciting and meaningful local projects. All up, there is a $275,000 grant program open to support youth-led community events and initiatives.
Last year, nearly $70,000 funded 16 youth events across Queensland, from community festivals to cultural and sporting events.
“The concept of Queensland Youth Week is to get young people involved in their community,” said State Member for Cook David Kempton. “Particularly as we have tended to become more isolated with modern technology.”
As part of the Queensland Youth Week, the digital art competition, which opened for entries on January 30, is on the lookout for our younger generation who have a flair for the arts. There is $1750 in prize money for young digital artists and the winning artwork will be used to promote Queensland Youth Week 2027.
Event organisers are looking for youngsters who have a passion for creativity and a talent for digital art, as they say it is their chance to shine. The competition is intended to showcase the imagination, skill and innovation of young Queenslanders, with a chance to win the prize money and an exclusive license agreement with the Department of Housing and Public Works to support their continued artistic development and professional growth.
“The digital art competition is one great example of getting youngsters involved in community projects.” Mr Kempton said.
There were 100 young artists from across Queensland who participated in the 2025 Queensland Youth Week digital art competition. Last year the winner was Yifei Hu, for her artwork ‘Commute’ in which seven people are on a train in various poses.
“I wanted to show how we are all on our own journeys, forming our identities, interests, passions and values; and that despite everything, we aren’t alone,” she said.
Further details can be obtained at www.bit.ly/4abZ2tw or by emailing QYW@housing.qld.gov.au
I’m off to perfect some artwork involving geese, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
