Our professional Teaching Artists and Performers work alongside students, teachers, older adults, hospital patients, teens, and just about any other community member to spark their imaginations and infuse their lives with creativity. Below are our open opportunities for engagement with COMPAS.
If you have any questions about these opportunities, reach out to amanda@compas.org or visit our website compas.org
EMERGING YOUNG ARTISTS VISUAL ARTS SHOWCASE
EYA is a juried art show opportunity for young artists in Saint Paul and the East Metro. The exhibition aims to showcase the talent of young artists in the area, provide them with feedback from local professional artists, and encourage them to continue their creative work.
The 2027 show will take place at the Landmark Center in downtown Saint Paul from March 8 to April 1, 2027. It will showcase up to 100 pieces of artwork, and on Thursday, April 1, everyone is invited to an awards ceremony and celebration.
Who can apply: If you are an artist in grades 7-12 living in or attending school in Saint Paul or the East Metro, please submit your work to us! You can submit photos or media files of your work below. If you have any questions or concerns about the application materials, please email mia@compas.org or call (651) 292-3250.
Sharing your work: You may submit up to 3 art pieces in any category. NEW THIS YEAR, each art piece submitted will be a separate Submittable Application. You must provide an artist statement of up to 200 words, and you may utilize the same artist statement for each art piece submission.
Categories*:
- Ceramics/Glass
- Drawing/Illustration/Graphic Design
- Mixed Media
- Media Arts (Video, Photography)
- Painting
- Printmaking (Litho, Screen, Etching, etc.)
- 3D (Sculpture, Kinetic, Puppet)
- Textile/Fiber
Artwork created with artificial intelligence (AI) will not be accepted into the gallery show or considered for awards.
TIMELINE: The Deadline to Submit Artwork is Monday, Jan 5, 2027
Jury of Local Professional Artists Review Submissions: Jan 7–Feb 2, 2027
Artists Notified: Feb 9, 2027
Artworks Picked up at Schools: February 22–26, 2027
Gallery Show: March 8–April 1, 2027
Celebration, Awards, and Art Pickup Event: April 1, 2027
Other Artwork Returned: April 5–10, 2027
Fall 2026 COMPAS Spoken Word Showcase
COMPAS is looking for youth in grades 7 to 12 who are interested in participating in a unique Spoken Word concert.
Participation includes a coaching opportunity with COMPAS Spoken Word artist Frank Sentwali and a professional showcase for the community at the Highland Park Recreation Center Auditorium (1978 Ford Parkway, Saint Paul, MN 55116).
10-12 young artists will be selected from the applications received.
All activities are free of charge, and performers will receive a stipend.
Sharing your work:
Please submit up to 2 Spoken Word pieces with their working titles (Word doc, PDF, or photos are accepted). You should include a short artist statement/bio with your name, school name, and grade. If you have not participated in or worked with COMPAS before, we also recommend sharing a video of your Spoken Word piece.
Timeline:
- Deadline to Submit Work: October 31, 2026, at 11:59 pm
- Lineup Decided, and Young Artists Notified: November 11
- OPTIONAL FREE Workshops with COMPAS Teaching Artist Frank Sentwali: October 10, from 10:00 am–12:00 pm & October 24, from 2:00–4:00 pm
- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Coaching session with COMPAS Teaching Artist Frank Sentwali: Saturday, November 21, from noon–2:30 pm
- Workshops and Coaching at the Community Action Partnership Building in the Bruce Vento Room (450 Syndicate St. N, Saint Paul, MN 55104).
- Showcase at the Highland Park Recreation Center Auditorium in Saint Paul: Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. (participants arrive at 5:00 pm for a dress rehearsal and mic check)
If transportation is a barrier, contact brittany@compas.org.