Urban Sketchers Emerging Storytellers Program 2026
Are you aged between 18 and 25?
Are you passionate about sketching and visual storytelling?
Then you might be one of an amazing group of #USkEmergingStorytellers!
#USkEmergingStorytellers is a campaign by Urban Sketchers looking to showcase reportage artists and visual storytellers aged 18-25. We’re on a mission to empower and celebrate the next generation of reportage artists, and we need your talent to make it happen.
In 2026, one outstanding Emerging Storyteller project will be selected and the artist will receive $300 USD. Two additional Emerging Storytellers will receive an Urban Sketchers Tote bag filled with amazing art products!
What is Reportage?
Reportage is a visual account of a cultural phenomenon, event, current history, etc., based on drawings made from direct observation while on location. The drawings have to tell a story by capturing an event or life within a local community showing context, characters, and setting. Sketches are accompanied by short pieces of narrative writing presented directly on the drawings or added separately. The narrative is informed by firsthand accounts, research, and interviews. A successful visual reportage gives viewers a feeling for the setting and the people.
Click here for great examples of visual storytelling and reportage.
Who can participate?
Sketchers of all abilities and styles are encouraged to apply. A condition of participation is that all work must be completed by artists who will be aged 18-25 at the time the project is submitted.
Why participate?
Drawing on-location and reportage is a powerful way of telling a story. It enables you to go behind the scenes to witness and capture a moment in time in your own unique way. Perhaps there is a community issue or environmental concern you would like to share. Drawings can be in urban or rural scenes, interviews with real people living through experiences. Let your drawings tell the story.
How do I take part?
1. Send us your application to participate in the project via this form
2. Receive some more details & get drawing!
3. Send us your final project no later than 31 December 2026
4. The projects selected to receive an award will be announced January 2027
What does the goody bag include?
The goody bag includes an Urban Sketchers Tote Bag, a selection of sketchbooks, brushes, watercolours and drawing tools plus limited edition Urban Sketchers International Symposium products!
How does the selection process work?
All applications will be evaluated by the USk Education Team. The merit of each application will be judged on the following criteria:
- 1. Aligns with Urban Sketchers manifesto
- 2. Storytelling potential as evident in drawings and narrative text
- 3. Showcases a unique aspect of a community, place, time, event, or larger culture
- 4. Potential to be developed into a complete and compelling story
- 5. Demonstrates use of the art materials provided
- 6. Evidence that the artist has been sharing on social media using the hashtags #UrbanSketchers #USkEmergingStorytellers
How can I get inspired?
Check out the USk Reportage Grant Program and all the winning projects here – stories from around the world highlighting unique aspects of a community, place, time, event, or larger culture.
See details here of the selected Emerging Storyteller Project from 2024 by Prajna Kumaraswamy
If you haven’t yet checked out USk Talks, a weekly show dedicated to all things Urban Sketchers visit the official USk YouTube’s channel. In season 2 we looked in depth into the practice of visual reportage and storytelling inviting artist reports, sketchers, and the winners of a Reportage proposal call to come and share their work and knowledge with the community.
What happens if my project is selected?
One outstanding Emerging Storyteller project will be selected by the Committee – the artist will be notified in January 2027 and will receive $300 USD.
Two additional Emerging Storytellers will receive an Urban Sketchers Tote bag filled with amazing art products !
Documentation
As you work on your visual reportage we ask that you document your project in photos, videos, and other media as much as you can. These could include photos of you sketching on location, photos of your subject and the setting, audio files of interviews with your subjects, time lapses, and so on.
Other things to know
If English is not your first language, we will work with you to edit text for clarity if needed.
You may also submit posts in other languages, and we will try to find volunteer translators to work with you.
We reserve the right not to include all the sketches originally submitted.
All submitted text may be edited for accuracy, grammar and clarity
Please contact uskyouth@urbansketchers.org with any questions.