The Benefits of Entering an Art Contest
Art contests offer children some great life lessons:
- Establishes a goal: Every contest has guidelines and a deadline, which gives a child a specific goal to work toward.
- Builds confidence: The process of creating the artwork itself builds self-confidence, as the child goes from an “I can’t draw” mindset to one of “I can enter this contest — and I might win!”
- Encourages strong effort: The art children enter should be their best work, teaching them that no matter what they do, they should do it well.
- Promotes cultural and social awareness: Many art contests focus on themes related to cultural diversity or social and environmental issues. Participating in these contests can help children develop a deeper understanding of these topics, as well as use art as a medium for change.
- Provides recognition: If they win, their artwork may be showcased in exhibitions, publications, or online. There’s also the fun of a prize and learning to be a gracious winner.
- Teaches how to persevere: If they don’t win, there’s the practice of dealing with disappointment and trying again.
- Teaches the importance of effort: Win or lose, when your child creates a piece of art and enters it in a contest, they have tried, which is the first step to success in any endeavor. Just the act of creating art and putting it out into the world is an accomplishment.
Enter Now!
Ready to enter? Keep scrolling for a list of current online art contests for kids and teens (listed in order of deadline). Almost all of them are free to enter. Once in a while, there will be a contest or two that have just a small fee.
To find out more about a certain contest, click on the name below. If you have a contest you’d like for me to list, please contact me.
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Art Contests
(In order by deadline)
Songbird Art Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: November 30, 2024
Ages: Grades K-12
Celebrating Art (US Only)
DEADLINE: December 5
Ages: Grades K-12
DEADLINE: Dates Vary by State, but around December 1
Ages: Grades 7-12
Frogs are Green 15th Annual Kids Art Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: December 31, 2024
Ages: 3-18
Sony World Photography Awards Youth Competition (All Countries)
DEADLINE: January 3, 2025
Ages: 19 and under
Kid’s Fish Art Contest (Ontario Only)
DEADLINE: January 3, 2025
Ages: Grades 4-12
Young Railway Photographer of the Year (UK Only)
DEADLINE: January 31, 2025
Ages: 25 and Under
U.S. Kids Magazine Cover Contest (US Only)
DEADLINE: February 1, 2025
Ages: 2-12
Global Canvas Children’s Art Competition (All Countries)
DEADLINE: February 14, 2025
Ages: 4-16
Never Such Innocence International Competition (All Countries)
DEADLINE: February 28, 2025
Ages: 9-18
Science Without Borders Challenge (All Countries)
DEADLINE: March 3, 2025
Ages: 11-19
VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest (US Only)
DEADLINE: March 31, 2025
Ages: Grades 9-12
Art Contests with Deadlines that Vary
If you do not live in the country indicated, you can enter any that say “All Countries”. Contests marked “All Countries” are for young artists living anywhere in the world.
FAI Young Artists Contests (All Countries)
Deadline: Deadline Varies by Country. Contact your country representative. You can find the information here.
Ages: 6 – 17
Sultan of Arts (All Countries)
DEADLINE: Varies
Ages: 24 and Under
Art, Music, Pantomime, Ballet
Congressional Art Competition (US Only)
Deadline: Varies. Contact your representative.
Ages: High School
World Photograph Organisation Monthly Youth Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: End of Each Month
Ages: 12-19
Samantha,
My daughter is an artist and this info is invaluable. Thank you so much! Hope you’re doing well.
Hi Niki!! Thanks for stopping by! I hope you’re doing well too! Have a wonderful holiday!
Is there any other new contests?
I just listed more!
Thank you for making this useful list.
Thanks a lot!
Very useful in this corona situation.
Thank you Samantha for putting these together.
Very helpful
Hello, we just submitted a portrait of emotions. Fingers crossed. Thankyou for given the lil ones an amazing opportunity to explore their talent .
i entered mine to and yes i also think this is all awsome
Hello, when is the winner going to be announced for the In the Kitchen challenge?
Next week! 🙂
I teach art for grades 7-12 and support the the lower grades with guidance at a private school that is certified for individualized education. I also teach private art classes for any age. I would be looking for sites to enter student work in competitions as a private educator as well as representative of my school.
Hello, when is the winner going to be announced for the letter H challenge?
The winner will be announced tomorrow! 🙂
Some competitions labelled “All Countries” say that cash prizes will not be awarded outside the US.
I’ve never checked for that — thank you for letting me know. I’ll try to remember to watch for those in the future.
My twins are always ready for contests and this is really helpful. Thanks