How Can You Create Change? Now Accepting Entries for the 2014 AYV Awards

At Adobe, we believe young people have a unique and valuable perspective to share about the challenges we face as a global society. We launched the Adobe Youth Voices Awards (previously called the AYV Aspire Awards) competition in 2012 to give youth a platform to express their vision for driving change in local communities. The competition is an extension of our Adobe Youth Voices (AYV) program, which aims to provide youth with the inspiration, training, tools and technology needed to ignite their creative confidence and empower them to use their voice in both the classroom and their communities.

Since the AYV Awards were created, we’ve seen youth from around the world tap into their creativity to communicate issues they feel passionately about — the environment, bullying, self-image, cultural awareness and other compelling topics. Each year, the entries represent a diverse range of issues and ideas in a variety of storytelling formats, but they’re unified by a common mission – using creativity to find innovative solutions. Last year we received more than 1100 Submission from 51 countries.

We’re thrilled to begin accepting submissions for the 2014 AYV Awards and excited to see what issues youth are tackling this year.  The competition offers seven content categories representing visual storytelling techniques. Entering the competition is easy – students, working in partnership with a community educator or media mentor can submit their work online at youthvoices.adobe.com/awards. Any educator is invited to join the AYV Community quickly and for free by visiting the Adobe Youth Voices Communitysite. As an AYV Community member, you’ll have access to groundbreaking creative curricula, webinars and education newsletters, too.

The submission deadline for content produced from 2011-2013 is Feb. 14, 2014, and all projects produced in 2014 must be submitted by April 13, 2014.

In April, the public is invited to view and vote for their favorite project submission. Prizes include software, cash and more — winners’ entries will also be featured at international film festivals and other arts organization events. This year’s winners will be announced on June 18, 2014.

Take a look at a few of last year’s winners.

Go to the Adobe Youth Voices Awards web page, or join us on Facebook to keep in touch with the latest news! Complete AYV Awards entry guidelines can be found at the official competition website: youthvoices.adobe.com/awards.