Welcome to the 2026 Youth Excellence in Arts (YEA!) Annual Competition and the 2026 Don Lewis “Say Yes to Music” Grants
YEA! is open to all students in grades 9-12 who are Pleasanton residents. There are three categories – Visual Arts, Music, and Literary Arts with cash prizes of $500, $300, and $100 awarded to winners of each category.
There is a fourth category honoring Don Lewis, an acoustic and electronic instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer. In collaboration with the Pleasanton Rotary and Julie Lewis, grants up to $1,000 will be awarded.
Each category requires the completion of a registration form and unique category requirements for submission. The competition closes on March 1, 2026. All winners are expected to perform at our award ceremony on March 22, 2026.
IMPORTANT for all submissions – All items must be completed before you begin your submission. Later changes or additions are not possible. Submissions must be completed by March 1, 2026.
If you have questions, please contact info@pleasantonarts.org.
Click to jump to detailed instructions for each category:
Literary Arts Category Instructions
IMPORTANT –The two items below must be completed before you begin your submission. Later changes or additions are not possible. Submissions must be completed by March 1, 2026.
- Complete the online Registration Form for the Literary Arts category
- a) One typed original story of under 2,000 words (pdf) OR
b) Your typed original three poems of under 50 lines apiece (pdf)
Upload the pdf files on the online registration form.
Plagiarism will disqualify any candidate. The works will stand as their own performance.
Your work must be your own and must not have been used in a prior contest or have been published.
Make sure you click the SUBMIT button on the online registration form.
The top three performers will win the Dr. Max Biggs Awards in Literary Arts. Judges may also decide on non-cash merit awards. Winners will be personally notified with reception details. Winners will be asked to perform their winning entries at the 2026 YEA Awards Reception on March 22, 2026. Attendance is compulsory to receive an award.
The decisions of the judges are final. All submissions are considered “Shared Rights”, allowing PCAC to use images and articles for marketing and publicity purposes.
If you have questions, please contact info@pleasantonarts.org.
Music Category Instructions
IMPORTANT –The three items below must be completed before you begin your submission. Later changes or additions are not possible. Submissions must be completed by March 1, 2026.
- Complete the online Registration Form for the Music category
- Clear video and audio (mp4) of your performance of 5 minutes or less
- Sheet music (pdf) of the piece being performed
Upload the pdf and mp4 files on the online registration form.
Make sure you click the SUBMIT button on the online registration form.
The top three performers will win the Rene and Gordon Smith Music Awards. Judges may also decide on non-cash merit awards. Winners will be personally notified with reception details. Winners will be asked to perform their winning entries at the 2026 YEA Awards Reception on March 22, 2026. Attendance is compulsory to receive an award.
The decisions of the judges are final. All submissions are considered “Shared Rights”, allowing PCAC to use images and articles for marketing and publicity purposes.
If you have questions, please contact info@pleasantonarts.org.
Visual Arts Category Instructions
IMPORTANT – Before you begin your submission, take photos of your 2 artworks and have all the information available to complete the Registration Form. Later changes or additions are not possible. Submissions must be completed by March 1, 2026.
Art submissions MUST be original (not AI) and matted, if appropriate.
- Complete the online Registration Form for the Visual Arts category
- Submit a photo (jpg) of each of your 2 submissions. Art submission MUST be matted, if appropriate.
Upload the photo files on the online registration form.
Make sure you click the SUBMIT button on the online registration form.
JUDGING:
MARCH 7, 2026 (SATURDAY) 9-11 AM
All artwork must be delivered to 3736 Cameron Ave, Pleasanton, 94588.
MARCH 8, 2026 (SUNDAY) 4-6 PM
All Artwork must be picked up.
The top three winners will win the Phyllis and William Wentworth Award for Visual Arts. Judges may also decide on non-cash merit awards. Winners will be personally notified with reception details and expected to bring their artwork to the 2026 YEA! Awards Reception on March 22, 2026. Attendance is compulsory to receive an award.
The decisions of the judges are final. All submissions are considered “Shared Rights”, allowing PCAC to use images and articles for marketing and publicity purposes.
If you have questions, please contact info@pleasantonarts.org.
The Don Lewis “Say Yes to Music” Grants
2026 Grant Application
Musician Don Lewis was a Pleasanton resident for over 41 years and had a long career in the music industry, including inspiring thousands of students in his Say “YES” to Music! Assemblies. One of Mr. Lewis’s favorite quotes he shared with students was from Beethoven who believed that “Music can change the world.” To learn more about Don Lewis’s intriguing history and accomplishments, visit donlewisleo.com and donlewismusic.com.
Don Lewis also served our community as an active Rotarian for over 30 years. In his memory, the Rotary Club of Pleasanton is offering this grant in partnership with the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council to a student who is choosing music to be a positive force in the world.
The Don Lewis “Say Yes to Music” (SYTM) Grants are being awarded for the purpose of supporting the advancement of music through education, activities, projects, and music instruments or supplies. It is open to Pleasanton high school musicians of ALL music genres, including acoustic and electronic instrumentalists, vocalists, composers, and recording arts.
Students who are awarded grants will be asked to attend the YEA! Awards Reception on March 22, 2026 sponsored by PCAC as well as a Rotary luncheon (TBD) to be presented with the grant. Some grant recipients may be asked to perform or present their music.
To apply for the Don Lewis SYTM Grant, you are not required to apply for any of the YEA! Music Awards, but you are welcome to do so.
Requirements
Along with a video of your music and/or performance/exhibition of your technology or composition, please provide a video introduction that includes the following information. The total video time must be less than 10 minutes.
- How has music affected your life?
- What are your music goals?
- Describe your music activities and groups.
- For what purpose are you requesting this grant?
- What is the amount you are requesting? The maximum amount is $1,000. Please be specific about how the money will be used (i.e. cost of supplies, expenses, etc.)
IMPORTANT – The three items below must be completed before you begin your submission. Later changes or additions are not possible. Submissions must be completed by March 1, 2026.
- Complete the online Registration Form for the “Say Yes to Music” category
- Submit a video (mp4) answering the 5 questions plus an introduction along with your video performance. Total video time must be less than 10 minutes.
- Sheet music (pdf) of the piece being performed, if applicable.
Upload the pdf and mp4 files on the online registration form.
Make sure you click the SUBMIT button on the online registration form.
