The New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU) has launched ArtNow 2026, its largest juried high school exhibition to date, featuring 97 student artists from 36 schools across Santa Clara County. Selected from over 600 submissions, the featured works respond to the theme "Before / Between / Beyond," exploring concepts of identity, heritage, and the future. The exhibition process is designed to mirror professional standards, requiring students to submit artist statements and undergo a rigorous selection process by a panel of arts professionals.
This initiative highlights the growing importance of professionalizing arts education and providing youth with institutional platforms. By involving the NUMU Teen Council in curatorial decisions and theme development, the museum fosters a pipeline for future arts leaders and offers a therapeutic outlet for students to address complex societal and personal issues. The record-breaking participation underscores the high demand for community-based arts programming and the vital role local museums play in supporting regional talent.