The 2026 “Olympic City Cup” National Children’s Art Exhibition opened at the Beijing Olympic Museum on July 31, which marks the 11th anniversary of Beijing’s successful bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Themed “Art Nourishes the Heart, Youth Pursues the Light,” the exhibition brings together 300 outstanding artworks by children and youths from 19 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government. Integrating Olympic culture with youth aesthetic education, it creates a summer art gala that combines youth creativity, patriotism, and iconic moments from the two Olympics Games staged in Beijing. The exhibition will run until August 31 and is open to the public free of charge.

The exhibition is structured with a prologue, four age-based exhibition zones, and an epilogue, with the four zones organized according to age. Zone 1, themed “Childhood · Enlightenment,” features 45 works by preschool creators, reflecting their pure and unadorned expressions. Zone 2, themed “Ingenuity · Growth,” showcases 185 works by elementary school students, presenting artistic growth and creative thinking during this stage. Zone 3, themed “Exploration · Expression,” exhibits 47 works by junior high school students, demonstrating their conscious exploration of artistic language and personal expression. Zone 4, themed “Reflection · Realm,” features 23 works by high school students, highlighting their artistic reflection and aesthetic vision.

Visitors explore the exhibition.

The 300 exhibited works consist of 202 paintings, 68 calligraphy pieces, 20 handicrafts, and 10 digital art pieces. Centered on the four themes of Healthy China, Beautiful Cities, Splendid Olympics, and Happy Lives, the works capture winter sports arenas, urban landscapes, and day-to-day happiness through watercolors, traditional Chinese paintings, paper-cutting, calligraphy, and digital painting, all from the pure perspective of children. They seamlessly integrate the glory of the dual Olympic city, the concept of fitness for all, and the aspirations of youth in the new era through brush, ink, and color. They not only embody the profound heritage of traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy but also showcase creativity in digital art and sculptural crafts, demonstrating the artistic vitality of contemporary children and teenagers.

The exhibition places special emphasis on interactive and immersive experiences for young visitors, turning them from passive “viewers” into active “art participants.” On the opening day, an interactive event titled “We Are Olympic Young Reporters” helped young visitors learn about Winter Olympic sports and understand what sports reporters do.

（“Olympic Young Reporters” take a group photo.）

According to the hosts, this exhibition, grounded in Beijing’s unique cultural resources as a dual Olympic city, serves as a national platform for artistic exchange among children and teenagers. With art as a medium, it celebrates the Olympic spirit of perseverance and dedication. The exhibition not only showcases the fruitful outcomes of aesthetic education across the country, but also nourishes the soul through art, guiding the youth to keep the country in mind, cultivate aesthetic literacy, and use their paintbrushes to pursue their dreams.

Guided by the China Committee for Promoting Art Education, the exhibition is co-hosted by BODA and the Central Academy of Fine Arts and organized by the Beijing Olympic City Development Center, with the Beijing Olympic City Development Foundation and the Beijing Olympic Museum as co-organizers. It is an important cultural event that helps nurture a new generation of capable young people with sound moral grounding, intellectual ability, physical vigor, aesthetic sensibility, and work skills, deepens youth aesthetic education, and promotes the Olympic spirit. Since the call for entries was launched, over 3,000 entries from preschool, elementary school, junior high school, and high school students across the country have been collected. After multiple rounds of review by a jury organized by the Central Academy of Fine Arts, 300 award-winning works were ultimately selected for the exhibition.

During the exhibition period, volunteer guided tours will be available, focusing on promoting aesthetic education and Olympic culture among children and youths. You are all welcome to explore the exhibition and join this artistic celebration blending youth creativity and Olympic vibes.