Sat, Mar 21
|Stumptown Park, Downtown Matthews
Youth Arts Festival Presented by Charlotte Center for the Arts
Time & Location
Mar 21, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Stumptown Park, Downtown Matthews, 120 S Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105, USA
About the event
Join Charlotte Center for the Arts on Saturday, March 21st from 1:00-5:00 PM at Stumptown Park in Matthews for a celebration of youth creativity at our inaugural Youth Arts Festival! This vibrant, family-friendly event showcases the incredible artistic talents of young people throughout the Charlotte area through live performances, interactive art-making activities, gallery displays, and creative workshops.
Throughout the afternoon, families will experience a diverse array of artistic expressions including music performances, dance showcases, theater presentations, and visual arts exhibitions created by talented youth artists from our community. Interactive stations invite attendees of all ages to explore their own creativity through hands-on projects led by professional teaching artists and community arts organizations.
Whether you're a parent supporting your young artist, an arts educator, a community member who values youth in the community, or simply someone who loves experiencing diverse creative expressions, the Youth Arts Festival offers something inspiring for everyone.
Admission is free, making this celebration accessible to all families. Come celebrate the creativity, courage, and boundless imagination of our community's young artists!
Performer Applications
Performer applications are now closed for this event.
Call for Youth Artists
We’re excited to invite young creators to apply for the opportunity to showcase their artwork at our upcoming event!
Artists 18 and under are eligible to submit their work for consideration. A panel of jurors from the Guild of Charlotte Artists will review all submissions and select up to 20 youth artists to be featured.
Selected artists will also receive a small stipend, made possible through the Culture Blocks Grant supporting this event.
📩 Apply here by March 6: https://forms.gle/599X1Q35WD6eSYzQ7
We would love to see youth creativity represented through the expression of visual arts! Let’s celebrate the next generation of artists.
Artist Booth /"Vendor" Applications
Vendor Booth Window: 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Vendor Set-Up: Beginning at 12:00 PM
Vendor Information & Requirements
Vendor Fee: $25
Payment is due by March 5th to secure your spot.
Payment must be made directly to Charlotte Center for the Arts.
Vendor applications are due by March 5th. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, based on availability. All vendor fees are non-refundable.
Vendor Guidelines
CCA is not responsible for providing tables, tents, chairs, electricity, or any additional vendor equipment or materials.
Vendors are required to provide:
Table
Chairs
Tent (all tents must be properly secured with weights on all legs)
Vendors must provide Charlotte Center for the Arts with a current Certificate of Insurance prior to the event.
All vendors must be fully set up no later than 12:45 PM. Breakdown may not begin until after 5:00 PM, and all vendors must be completely packed and off-site by 6:00 PM.
Activity Requirement
All vendors must provide an art, craft, or interactive activity at their table. We are seeking engaging, hands-on arts experiences for youth and families attending the festival.
📩 Apply here by March 5: https://forms.zohopublic.com/lumischoolofmusicaltheatre1/form/CharlotteCenterfortheArtsYouthFestival2026VendorAp/formperma/0Ehu_HlBWo9yX5gPmcPZ0MiVSghvTvx9uaARt0n5mys
If you or your organization is interested in volunteering at this event, please review our volunteer opportunities (volunteer opportunities are listed at the bottom of the page at the link).
If you have any questions, please email Colleen LeBleu. (**Please note that all official correspondence concerning this and other Charlotte Center for the Arts events will come only from email addresses ending with "@artscenterclt.org")
Become a Sponsor
Support the Youth Arts Festival and help us celebrate the next generation of talent! Email office@artscenterclt.org to secure your sponsorship.
Youth Arts Festival Presented by Charlotte Center for the Arts is sponsored by Culture Blocks— a community partnership funded by Mecklenburg County.
