About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
The Atlantic International Youth Art Festival (AIAF), organized by the Canadian Network for Imagination and Creativity (CNIC) in partnership with Atlantic Language Culture International, the Atlantic Center for Creativity (ACC), the National Culture & Creative Association of Canada (NCCAC), and Mountie Education & McKenzie College, aims to enrich global youth arts and creativity education while fostering cross-cultural exchanges. CNIC comprises professors, scholars, and art enthusiasts from Canadian universities, industries, and communities actively involved in global creative endeavors and education. The festival, spearheaded by CNIC artists and scholars in Canada, collaborates with schools and artists across North America, Europe, and Asia. Its goal is to provide an expansive international platform for youth to share artistic and creative ideas globally.
The festival welcomes youth artists from diverse backgrounds worldwide, offering a comprehensive platform for artists and art enthusiasts. Its goal is to celebrate the unique importance of art and creativity in the era of artificial intelligence while promoting the preservation of cultural traditions. Through art competitions, international practices, youth exchanges, professional market development, travel, exhibitions, workshops, and masterclasses, participants engage with and learn from prominent figures in the art industry. This inclusive approach fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, encouraging participants to integrate their heritage into their creative expressions, thereby enriching global artistic dialogue and collaboration.
As an important part of the festival, we annually invite global artists and enthusiasts to participate in a worldwide art competition. This competition aims to promote and foster the creative talents of youth globally, enhancing artistic intelligence in the "empathy era" and adapting to new times.
Each year, we invite active frontline artists, scholars, and professors globally to serve as art directors. A panel of experts from diverse fields is assembled as judges to select the entries. Selected participants receive certificates signed by the judging panel, along with art scholarships.
Following the competition, participants have the opportunity to attend master lecture courses where experts and artists analyze the works. They can also participate in festival workshops and have a chance to be featured in annual art albums and international art exhibitions.
Meet The Team
Dr. Mary Blatherwick
Artistic Director
UNB Professor, Art Educator, Artist
Dr. Blatherwick teaches art, design and creative education in the undergraduate and graduate Education programs at University of New Brunswick. Her research interests include intercultural understanding, visual literacy, arts-based resource development, community arts, and creativity. She has developed resources on intercultural understanding, conducted surveys on visual literacy, and produced a series of films which examine the concept of creative practice. Mary has received prestigious awards for her excellence in teaching. With Dr. Jill Cummings, she recently co-authored Creative Dimensions of Teaching and Learning in the 21st century.
Nadia Khoury
Executive Director of the Festival
Gallery On Queen - curator / director
Nadia Khoury is the Executive Director of the Atlantic International Youth Arts Festival and owner of a local gallery. With over 30 years of experience in the arts and non-profit sectors, she has served on the Executive Committee for the Cultural Human Resources Council of New Brunswick “Culture Plus” and as Past Chair of the NB Foundation for the Arts. She has also chaired fundraising galas for organizations including the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Passionate about arts and culture, she is dedicated to nurturing emerging talent, enriching New Brunswick’s cultural landscape, and making original art more accessible and affordable.
Our Partners
