School Programs

2026 Salem and Gloucester County Teen Arts Festival

Appel Farm is excited to host the 2026 Salem and Gloucester County Teen Arts Festival on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 (SALEM COUNTY) and Thursday, April 16, 2026 (GLOUCESTER COUNTY)! We welcome teens ages 13 - 19 from Salem and Gloucester Counties to participate in art workshops, adjudicated performances, portfolio reviews, and fun!

The Festival will be held on Appel Farm's campus, located at 457 Shirley Road, Elmer, NJ, from 9:00am - 1:00pm.

New this year!

Salem & Gloucester Counties will compete on separate days: 

Salem County, Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 9-1 PM

Gloucester County, Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 9-1 PM

Registration and participation in the 2026 Salem and Gloucester County Teen Arts Festivals is open to all Salem and Gloucester County schools and teen artists ages 13+. Participants can enter individually or as a school/organization.

ALL REGISTRATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31st. 

Any registrations received after this date will not be accepted into the festival. Only submit one registration per school, please.

(Please note - when registering, each school must designate one primary contact on behalf of all participants from that school for each discipline-visual and performing arts and regardless of the number of participating teachers from that school.)

2026 Festival Rates

Additional Details

All participating schools or individuals will be required to complete a discipline-specific submission form no later than February 28, 2026.

2026 Entry Guidelines for Teen Arts

Performing Arts (Dance, Vocal/Choral, Drama, Musical Theatre, Instrumental)
  • Recorded music for performances must be downloaded to a device. There will not be access to WiFi to stream music from the internet.
  • Music performers must provide a copy of their score or sheet music to the adjudicators before the performance.
  • Dance performances are limited to 4 minutes in length.
  • Vocal/Choral Solo or Small Ensembles are limited to 15 performers, and 5 minutes in length.
  • Vocal/Choral Large Ensembles, with 16+ performers, are limited to 10 minutes in length.
  • Drama Small Ensembles are limited to 15 performers, and 5 minutes in length.
  • Drama Large Ensembles, with 16+ performers, are limited to 10 minutes in length.
  • Musical Theatre Small Ensembles are limited to 14 performers, and 5 minutes in length.
  • Musical Theatre Large Ensembles, with 15+ performers, are limited to 10 minutes in length.
  • Instrumental Solo or Small Ensembles are limited to 14 performers, and 5 minutes in length.
  • Instrumental Large Ensembles, with 15+ performers, are limited to 10 minutes in length.

Please note: Each student may enter for adjudication one (1) solo or small group entry within each category of musical, vocal, dance, or instrumental performance

Video
  • Video entries are limited to 10 minutes in length.
  • Video entries should be formatted as an MP4, and named as the Entry Title listed on the Entry Form.
Visual Arts 2D & 3D

 Please Note, in 2026 Appel Farm is following State Guidelines for visual art entries:

    • Each student may submit up to 2 entries for each category (2D and 3D).
    • Entries may not exceed 36” x 36”.
  • 2-D entries must be framed and wired with a plexiglas/acrylic cover. Please DO NOT submit glass covers. 
  • Entries must be wired or have hardware for hanging.
  • Each entry must be submitted with a completed Visual Arts Entry Labels. Please print neatly in black ink and tape to the back of the artwork.
  • Entries may not be submitted wet.
  • All entries must be available through June of 2026 for the State Teen Arts Festival.
  • Teachers will have access to hang their student’s entries at Appel Farm (457 Shirley Road, Elmer, NJ 08318) on Monday, April 13th from 4:30 to 7PM.
  • If you choose not to hang artwork yourself, pieces can be dropped the week of April 6th  between the hours of 8:30 and 3:30. 
  • Entries that do not receive state nominations must be removed and taken home at the end of the Festival, no later than the end of day on April 16th.

Example of Correctly Prepared Artwork

Note the work is matted, covered, has the printed information neatly on the back and bottom of the piece and includes wire on back for hanging.

Creative Writing (Poetry and Prose)
  • Each student may submit up to 2 creative writing entries.
  • Poetry entries are limited to 2 pages; prose entries are limited to 4 pages.
  • Entries should be imaginative student writing rather than expository essays.
  • Entries may include original poetry, short story, flash fiction, drama, or novel excerpts.
  • Each entry should be type-written in double spaced 12-point font, and printed one-sided, letter-sized paper with 1-inch margins.
  • Entries should include the following in the top, right-hand corner of each page:
    • Student Name
    • Student Grade, Student Age
    • School, County
    • Title of Entry (required)
    • Page Number/Total Number of Pages (eg. 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4)

Questions?

Reach out to Sam Miller, Programs Specalist: sammiller@appelfarm.org | (856) 358-2472

Registration Form -due no later than 1/31/26

Visual Arts, Creative Writing, and Film Form -due no later than 2/28/26

Performing Arts Form -due no later than 2/28/26