Hosted by AACI in partnership with NBC Bay Area, Growing Up In America (GUA) is an annual art, essay, and video contest for K-12th graders across 9 Bay Area counties. GUA has been running for over 30 years and provides a unique platform for young people to explore and celebrate their cultural identity in a creative way.
Every year, hundreds of Bay Area students, Kindergarten through 12th grade, submit artwork, essays, and videos in response to a specific theme. It encourages young Americans to take pride in their identities while discussing dreams for their future, pride in their cultural heritage, challenges they may face, and other complex issues.
The 2026 contest theme is Growing Healthy Connections. Connecting with others is an essential part of life, at home, at school, or in the community. They can happen with family, friends, classmates, teammates, mentors, teachers, significant others, or anyone who helps you feel supported and understood.
The program is competitive, and one winner will receive the $1,000 Lance Lew Grand Prize Award and nine winners will receive the $500 “Best in Class” awards, with Honorable Mention awards as well. All winners will have their entries showcased at the virtual awards ceremony and on the AACI website and have a chance to be featured on NBC Bay Area.
The deadline to apply is Sunday, March 15th and winners will be announced early May
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: All submissions must be made through the contest website www.aaci.org/gua. Please remember to click the correct age and category