The Fondo de Arte Joven (FAJ) and the United Nations Children's Fund in Cuba (UNICEF Cuba) are calling for the Second Edition of the National Music Contest, an opportunity to promote creative processes that favor the spiritual growth, creativity and expression of adolescents, within the framework of the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations.

The call is aimed at musicians in artistic education or self-taught, between 12 and 18 years of age, residents of Cuba, and will remain in force until September 30, 2025.

The teenagers will compete with a video showing their performance as a soloist of one or more musical works of their choice. Complete works, movements of works, new creations, songs, or improvisations apply.

The application is made through the online Application Form, available at the following link FAJ website The applicant must also attach a document with a standard consent form, signed by the legal guardian, and a brief biography of the applicant.

As in the first edition, the contest has three competition categories. These are: Category A: 12 -13 years old; Category B: 14 -15 years old and Category C: 16 -18 years old.

The jury is made up of renowned national and international musicians, music teachers, FAJ collaborators and UNICEF Cuba.

As part of the selection process, the jury will choose a group of finalists, from which the prizes will be decided at a later date. The names of the finalists and prize winners will be announced in the social networks of FAJ and UNICEF Cuba.

A total of three awardsThe jury will award one for each of the above-mentioned categories, and the mentions that the jury deems appropriate.

The prizes will consist of full funding (all expenses covered) for the participation of each winner (with an accompanying adult) in a week-long creative exchange program in Havana. The program will include activities, rehearsal sessions and master classes given by young musicians who are winners of the FAJ calls for proposals, and by renowned Cuban musicians committed to children and UNICEF Cuba goodwill ambassadors.

The program will conclude with a concert at the Teatro del Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de Cuba, which will bring together on stage - and in previous rehearsal sessions - the winners, together with young beneficiaries of FAJ's call for proposals program and renowned musicians.

In case of difficulties with internet access, contestants and their families may communicate with the FAJ operational team via email: info@artejoven.org or by phone at +53 5 4490431 to evaluate alternative ways of sending and receiving the video, as well as the documentation required for its application.

The second edition of the National Music Competition also seeks to generate a positive impact on the artistic and professional training of this population, contributing to the creation of inclusive environments and opportunities that support the exercise of the right of children and adolescents to participate freely in cultural life and the arts, as established in Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

You can learn more about the first edition in the following video: