YorKAOS isn’t just an art show. It’s proof that kids can do big, brilliant things that make a real difference to people’s lives. We made a video explaining how it works….
How it all started
In 2024, eight-year-old Ada Jobling went to York Open Studios — a brilliant annual event where artists across the city open their doors to the public. Ada loved it, and had an idea: why wasn’t there something like this for children?
So she decided to make it happen. She got together with her friends, formed a committee as its chair, and started planning. The result was YorKAOS — York Kids Art Open Studios — a free public exhibition where children aged 5 to 11 could show their artwork to the whole city, just like older artists.
We’ve exhibited hundreds of young artists
Across 2025 and 2026, over 400 primary school aged artists have shown their work at SPARK:York — with around two thirds of all primary schools in York getting involved. Some schools have gone even further, running extra art classes and creating whole school pieces especially for the exhibition. Their artwork was properly mounted, labelled, and put on display — just like in an art gallery. For lots of them, it was the very first time anyone had shown their art to the public.
We’ve raised thousands of pounds for charity
Every piece of art sold goes straight to charity — chosen by the committee.
In 2025 we raised £1,800 for St Leonard’s Hospice, BBC Children in Need, and Explore York Libraries and Archives.
In 2026 we raised £2,150 — with a record 127 artworks sold — split equally between five charities.
In just two years, that’s over £3,950 raised for causes we really care about.
We’ve thrown open the doors — for free!
Anyone can come. No tickets. No cost. In 2025, hundreds of families came to see the show. In 2026, more than 600 people walked through the doors over five days. That’s thousands of people getting to enjoy brilliant art without spending a penny.
YorKAOS is more than just an art exhibition – it’s a testament to the power of creative youth and community spirit. It’s a platform for young artists to exhibit their talents, raise money for good causes, and inspire others with their imaginations. SPARK:York
We’ve brought York together
Both years, YorKAOS has brought the whole city together. York Rotary volunteered throughout the 2026 exhibition, helping out every single day. In both years, professional artists gave their time to run workshops — teaching printmaking, illustration, and loads more. In 2026, every single workshop sold out.
Explore York Libraries played a vital role too — acting as artwork collection points right across the city. Using the libraries this way is a brilliant example of an important local resource being put to work for the community, making it easy for families from every part of York to take part.
We are proud to be supported by SPARK:York — who have given us a fantastic city-centre home both years — and Hiscox, whose backing has helped make YorKAOS possible.
How we’re funded
YorKAOS is made possible thanks to the generosity of local organisations and businesses who believe in what we’re doing. Grants from the Fortus Foundation, Elmet Lions, and York Rotary fund the running of the exhibition. SPARK:York provides our city-centre venue, and Hiscox provides vital business support. Without them, none of this would be possible.
Adults help too — with the boring bits
YorKAOS is led by children, but we’re honest that adults help in the background. They keep the website updated, sort out the insurance, handle the paperwork, do the driving, keep track of the money, and edit the videos.
What they don’t do is write the speeches, script the TikToks, talk to the press, or stand up in front of an audience. That’s all us kids!
Building confidence that lasts
Most adults would find it nerve-wracking to speak live on the radio, give a presentation and talk in front of a room full of strangers. These aren’t skills that most children — or most adults — ever get the chance to develop. Public speaking, media communication, creative writing for a real audience — the committee have done all of it, for real, with real results. The confidence that comes from that kind of experience doesn’t go away. It shapes how they see themselves and what they believe they’re capable of.
They write their own speeches. They script their own advertising videos for TikTok. They’ve recorded in different locations and in professional studios. They’ve been interviewed live on BBC Radio York at the opening of the exhibition, talking clearly and confidently about something they built themselves.
