Free Art Contests for Kids and Teens

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

 

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (US Only)

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

 

 

 

 

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240 thoughts on “Free Art Contests for Kids and Teens”

  2. Sultan of Arts is a series of unique International Virtual Art Competitions in the following categories:

    Classical Music, Ballet, Pantomime and Fine Arts

    Honouring the Founders’ spirit, we regard inclusion and equal participation as fundamental values for audition and assessment of the participant’s entries, wherever in the world they may reside.

    The aim of these competitions is to showcase the beauty of young artists’ talent to the world through art and help them earn worldwide recognition.
    The Competition is open to all nationalities of 24 years of age and under, free of charge and Cash Prizes are awarded. All auditions and assessments in the four categories will be based on video recordings of the participants.

    The winners will be selected by both the Jury and online Audiences and will be awarded Cash Prizes in each category.

    All we need is ONE entry from you.

    Reply

  8. Hi, I’d like to enter a painting competition, could you please tell me if it’s possible. By the was I’m 10 years old

    Reply

  9. Hi,
    do you have any coloring challenges for kids under 6 years?
    Or any story or poem writing challenges for kids in pre-k?
    I would love to let my kids participate for the same.

    Regards,
    Nidhi

    Reply

    • We can do a coloring challenge! The art challenges I post are for all ages, too. The winner is decided by a random drawing, so it’s not based on skill level. A writing challenge is a good idea too! Thanks for the suggestion!

  10. Hello, I keep trying to submit my daughter’s info and work for the challenge #81 but it won’t go through. Are you having problems with the site? Thank you

    Reply