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Writer's pictureYuliana Arles

Inspiring the Next Generation of Creatives: How Teen Art Awards Transforms Talent Into Success

In the rapidly evolving world of contemporary art, where tradition meets innovation, it is essential to support young talent and provide them with opportunities for creative expression. This is the mission embodied by the Art.Coordinate.Foundation and the groundbreaking Teen Art Awards (TAA), founded by Daria Kalinina and Yaroslav Markov. Their goal is simple yet profound: to offer young artists a platform to showcase their talent on the international stage, helping them grow not only as creators but also as confident individuals in an increasingly digital and multifaceted world.


The Teen Art Awards serves as a bridge between emerging talent and the global art community, giving teenagers a rare opportunity to bring even their boldest ideas to life and be noticed. TAA not only equips them with tools for self-promotion through modern mediums like digital art, NFTs, and AI-driven art, but the organizers also emphasize universal themes such as human relationships, cultural values, and the legacy we can pass on to future generations.


What makes this project truly unique is its focus on supporting youth at a critical juncture in their lives. Daria and Yaroslav understand that the teenage years are a pivotal time for discovering one’s passions, yet many young artists face resistance from a world that often undervalues creative professions. Through their foundation, they aim to break down these barriers, providing young artists with the tools, guidance, and confidence to pursue their dreams.


In this exclusive interview, Daria Kalinina shares the inspiration behind the foundation, the challenges she faced while building an international platform for young artists, and how the Teen Art Awards is shaping the future of creative professions. Along with Yaroslav Markov, they discuss the importance of embracing contemporary art forms and ensuring that young artists have the resources and support they need to thrive in today’s world.


This conversation will not only inspire art lovers, but also those who believe in the transformative power of creativity and the importance of nurturing young talent.



Yuliana Arles: How did you first become involved in the art world, and what inspired you to launch the Art.Coordinate.Foundation and create the Teen Art Awards?


Daria Kalinina

Daria Kalinina: Initially, I wasn’t involved in the art world at all. My first education was in psychology, but I quickly transitioned into image-making and producing, which fascinated me. I loved helping clients build personal brands, and my psychology background helped me understand their motivations and create authentic positioning for them.


Unexpectedly, people from the art world began entering my life. At an exhibition in St. Petersburg, I met an art critic who became a key figure on my journey. She introduced me to the Hermitage and deepened my understanding of art. That meeting changed my life, and I went on to earn a Master’s degree from the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, focusing on Kazimir Malevich and the Russian Avant-garde.


The Art.Coordinate.Foundation grew from my desire to combine my skills in branding and producing with my newfound passion for art. The foundation became a platform for young artists, giving them a space to grow and be recognized, while also helping businesses strengthen their strategies through art with our project "Art as a Competitive Advantage in Business."

I also noticed that young people, especially teenagers, face significant barriers when they express interest in creative professions. Parents often push them toward more traditional careers like law or medicine. That’s when I decided to create a project specifically for teenagers—Teen Art Awards—because this age group is often overlooked, yet it is during this time that their life paths are shaped.


Yuliana Arles: Your project clearly gained recognition and was highly appreciated early on. Could you share who the key individuals behind the success of the Teen Art Awards are?


Daria Kalinina: This project is built on friendship and collaboration. Many colleagues from all over the world supported us, and without their contributions, the Teen Art Awards wouldn’t be possible. This isn’t just a project for teenagers; it’s for all of us—everyone has had someone in their life who made a difference, who supported and inspired them. The warmth and support from people worldwide have been crucial to this project.


Daria Kalinina & Yaroslav Markov
Daria Kalinina & Yaroslav Markov

Yuliana Arles: Could you explain how exactly the Teen Art Awards help young artists shape their careers?


Daria Kalinina: Today, being an artist is a multifaceted concept. Beyond talent, you need to know how to promote yourself, develop communication skills, collaborate, and build long-term strategies. Art schools typically teach technique, but they don’t teach how to navigate the digital age or how to market yourself. Through the Teen Art Awards, we show young artists the full spectrum of what it takes to succeed—routine, discipline, and teamwork. Talent alone is no longer enough.

Yaroslav Markov

Yaroslav Markov (Art Director, Art.Coordinate.Foundation): As Daria mentioned, the awards provide crucial image tools for young artists to promote themselves. Imagine being 13 years old and having the opportunity to showcase your work on an international stage. We give these teenagers their first exhibition, catalog, and exposure to the global art world—all for free. This is an incredible launching pad for their careers.


Yuliana Arles: That’s a wonderful opportunity for teenagers to make a name for themselves globally. Could you share how the selection process works for the Teen Art Awards? Yaroslav also mentioned exhibitions and catalog publications—what else can winners of the new season expect?


Daria Kalinina: We value creativity, originality, and the desire to express individuality. For example, Lena Oczkowska from Poland was a real star of our first season—her work was so original that she unanimously won the graphic arts category. Her pieces were prominently featured at the exhibition, and the public response was overwhelming.


In the first season, prizes included an exhibition, an international catalog, and grants for further education. In the second season, we expanded to 38 countries and moved to a digital exhibition format with the use of AI. We also introduced a special trophy, which we call the "Oscar" for contemporary teen artists. In the future, we plan to release this in collaboration with international artists.


Yuliana Arles: Those are certainly prizes worth striving for. One more question—are there any specific criteria that the jury considers when evaluating the work of young creators?


Daria Kalinina: We found that very often, the description plays a key role in evaluating the work. The relevance to the theme, original presentation, the artist's level of thinking, and potential all come into play. Everything works together, but the way an artist explains their work often allows seemingly unremarkable pieces to become winners.



Yuliana Arles: Undoubtedly, every piece that passes such a selection process deserves attention. However, are there any artists who have particularly impressed you? Would you kindly tell us about someone specific?