Juried Exhibition of Student Art (JESA)

The Juried Exhibition of Student Art (JESA) has been one of the most far-reaching multi-disciplinary art projects for grades one through twelve in the state of Indiana since 1986. Held in conjunction with the Quadrennial International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, this educational program integrates the performing, literary and visual arts. The 2022 JESA involved over 21,000 school children and 151 art teachers from 57 counties across the state. JESA is one of the few programs that awards a cash prize to each school or sponsoring organization of the Grand Award Winners as well as to the students.

New for 2026, JESA will be expanded and held in the state of Ohio for the very first time. Thanks to the generosity of the Ohio-based Cynthia P. Matthews Family Foundation, students and schools in both Indiana and Ohio will be awarded $18,000 in prizes in each state. Thirty Streeter Hadley Matthews Grand Award Winners will be selected in each state and their artwork displayed during the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, September 17 – October 4, 2026. Following the Competition, each artist’s work will be exhibited within their home state for a period of three years.

If you are interested in participating in the 2026 Juried Exhibition of Student Art, please click on the state in which your school is located for state-specific guidelines.