Juried Exhibition of Student Art (JESA)

The Juried Exhibition of Student Art (JESA) has been one of the most far-reaching, multidisciplinary arts programs for students in grades 1–12 in the state of Indiana since 1986. Held in conjunction with the Quadrennial International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, this educational initiative integrates the performing, literary and visual arts.

In 2026, the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis (IVCI) expanded the program into Ohio for the first time. More than 8,000 students from 121 schools across 52 counties participated in Ohio, while in Indiana, over 11,000 students from 119 schools in 54 counties submitted artwork.

In each state, a regional panel of judges selected 150 Regional Winners. From this group, a separate panel of final-round judges selected the 30 Streeter Hadley Matthews Grand Award Winners. To ensure fairness, judges did not evaluate submissions from their own regions.

All participating students whose work advanced to regional judging will receive a Certificate of Recognition. Regional Winners will receive a Certificate of Merit and a $25 cash prize. Grand Award Winners will receive a Certificate of Honor, along with cash awards of $100 (grades 1–4), $200 (grades 5–8), and $500 (grades 9–12). Their teachers will receive Certificates of Commendation, and each Grand Award Winner’s school will receive a commemorative plaque featuring the student’s artwork, along with $250 for art materials.

The artwork of all 60 Grand Award Winners will be exhibited during the 12th Quadrennial International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, September 17–October 4, 2026. Following the Competition, the exhibition will tour each respective state for a period of three years.

The IVCI sincerely thanks the Cynthia Parker Matthews Family Foundation for its Title Sponsorship of the 2026 Juried Exhibition of Student Art.

To view the artwork from each state, click below.