5-10 / 11-15
Age-appropriate review for children and young artists.
2026 International open call
London Youth Art Competition (International)
A non-profit international art competition for children and young people aged 5-15, with awards, online gallery presentation and a London cultural exchange pathway.
Gold, Silver and Bronze awards include a 14-day London art residency opportunity. Gold and Silver awards also include a £1,000 or £500 creation grant.View detailsGallery
Award-worthy young artists, full of colour and imagination.
The gallery presents selected young artists' photography, drawing, collage, mixed media and installation works with expressive composition, strong material presence and a clear reason to be selected.
A non-profit platform for young artists aged 5-15.
The competition gives children and young people a clear route from digital submission to professional review, online gallery presentation, awards and future cultural exchange.
Timeline
Programme planning
01Open call startsRound 1 open call: January 1 to June 30, 2026. Round 2 open call: July 1 to December 31, 2026.
02Submission deadlineEach round closes on its final day: June 30 and December 31, 2026.
03Jury reviewArtists, university art educators and practising art professionals review each round for 14-30 days.
04Results publishedResults are published on the website after review; selected works are featured with family permission.
05Residency programmeDates confirmed in writing with families
2026 Jury Panel
Meet the jury.
Six artists, curators, researchers and arts educators bring international experience across contemporary practice, public programmes and youth arts learning.
Who can enter
Up to 3 works
One digital entry across painting, drawing, collage, photography or mixed media.
Gallery + pathway
Gold, Silver and Bronze awards include a London art residency opportunity, alongside catalogue and gallery visibility.
Non-profit commitment
This competition is initiated by a non-profit arts organisation. Income and resources are directed toward competition operations, logistics, youth residency opportunities and international cultural exchange programmes.
Previous editions in numbers
5Editions held
32Countries reached
3,800+Artworks submitted
150+Awards granted
45Residency participants
Supporting Institutions
Connected to a wider academic and cultural network.
London Youth Art Competition (International) works with a network of art education and cultural organisations to support young artists through creative learning, public presentation, and international exchange.
Awards & Residency
Awards & Residency.
From award to visibility.
Awards recognise originality, expressive power and thoughtful use of medium. Gold, Silver and Bronze awards include the same 14-day London art residency. Gold and Silver awards also include an additional creation grant of £1,000 or £500. Gallery presentation, certificate, catalogue and public feature remain shared benefits for all award recipients.
Gold Award
Gold
Places per round2 per age group
IncludesLondon residency + £1,000 creation grant
Highest distinction for outstanding creative and expressive achievement.
Silver Award
Silver
Places per round4 per age group
IncludesLondon residency + £500 creation grant
Recognition for mature technique, clear ideas and personal voice.
Bronze Award
Bronze
Places per round6 per age group
IncludesLondon residency
Recognition for promising works, visual sensitivity and creative potential.
Jury Commendation
Commendation
Places per roundUp to 30
IncludesDigital certificate
Acknowledgement for distinctive ideas, effort and a considered use of medium.
Award benefits
What can participants receive?
The award is designed to feel tangible for families: public recognition, gallery visibility, a 14-day London art residency opportunity for Gold, Silver and Bronze recipients, and a £1,000 or £500 creation grant for Gold and Silver recipients.
14-day London art residencyIncluded with Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. Gold adds a £1,000 creation grant and Silver adds a £500 creation grant; Bronze does not include a creation grant. Dates, places, travel support and guardian arrangements will be confirmed in writing before families commit.
Official recognitionA formal award certificate for selected winners and honourable mentions.
Gallery presentationSelected works shown online with title, artist, age, country and medium.
Annual catalogueAwarded works may be included in the digital and printed annual catalogue.
Public featureWebsite and social media presentation through official competition channels.
14-day London residency
London becomes the prize, classroom and final showcase.
Gold, Silver and Bronze awards all include this 14-day London art residency opportunity. Dates, places, travel support and guardian arrangements will be confirmed in writing before families make commitments.
Included with Gold, Silver and BronzeGuardian communication by emailMuseums, studios and city research
London art landmarksTate, V&A, National Gallery and city sketching routes.
Studio workshopsHands-on sessions around concept, material and storytelling.
Curator critiqueSmall-group discussion with artists, educators and cultural partners.
Final showcaseResidency outcomes presented in a curated closing format.
Passport information collected during submission supports identity verification. Personal data is handled according to the privacy policy.
Judging
Transparent review before recognition.
The judging section explains how works move from submission to award decision.
Originality
Unique perspective and imaginative expression.
Technique
Age-appropriate command of material and method.
Emotional expression
Ability to communicate feeling, narrative or atmosphere.
Cultural perspective
Personal or cultural identity reflected through the work.
All submissions are reviewed after identity details are removed where possible. Jury members assess the artwork and artist statement first; name, country and age group are revealed after scoring.
Independent panel
Each round brings together artists, university art educators and practising art professionals. Conflicts of interest must be declared before scoring.
14-30 day review
The panel reviews artwork and artist statements against the published criteria, then moderates scores across both age groups.
Results and follow-up
Results are published on the website. With permission, selected works may appear on the homepage; award and residency opportunities are confirmed directly with families.
Eligibility & Guidelines
Rules families can scan quickly.
Eligibility is grouped under Submit so parents can judge fit before starting the form.
Age
5-10 Children / 11-15 Young Artists
Works
Maximum three artworks per participant
Route
Online form first; email support only for exceptional cases
File format
PNG, JPG, PDF or ZIP
Each file can be up to 20 MB; files are uploaded directly to secure storage.
Media
Painting, drawing, printmaking, watercolour, collage and mixed media
Passport
Required for identity verification
Kept separate from jury review.
Originality
All work must be created by the participant
Quality
Recommended 300 DPI or longest edge 2000px
Deadline
2026 round deadlines: June 30 and December 31.
Confirmation
Successful submissions receive a reference number
Online submission is the primary route. Passport details are used only for identity verification. Copyright remains with the artist.
FAQ
Clear answers, calmly presented.
Grouped by eligibility, submission, passport and privacy, judging, awards and residency.
Who can participate?
Children and young people aged 5-15 can enter. Entries are reviewed in Children 5-10 and Young Artists 11-15 groups.
Is there an entry fee?
No. The competition is free to enter.
Which formats are accepted?
JPG, PNG, PDF or ZIP files. Each file can be up to 20 MB.
Why is passport information required?
Passport information is used for identity verification and is kept separate from jury review.
How is my data protected?
Personal data is handled under GDPR principles and the privacy policy. It is not shared except where required for agreed exhibition or programme support.
How are works judged?
Works are assessed anonymously where possible across originality, technique, emotional expression and cultural perspective.
What does the London pathway include?
Gold and Silver awards include the 14-day London art residency and an additional £1,000 or £500 creation grant. Bronze awards include the same London art residency. All Gold, Silver and Bronze recipients keep gallery presentation, certificate and other shared benefits. Dates, places, travel support and guardian arrangements will be confirmed in writing before families commit.
Official emailsupport@londonyouth.art
For media, platform review, partnerships and general competition enquiries.
Privacy policy
Trust is part of the submission experience.
Passport data and guardian contact information are collected only for competition administration, identity verification, family communication and agreed exhibition or programme support.
Data controller
London Youth Art Competition (International), reachable at support@londonyouth.art.
Data collected
Participant, guardian, passport, artwork files and usage data.
Purpose
Competition management, identity verification and exhibition presentation.
Retention
Passport data is retained only as long as needed for verification and programme administration.
Sharing
Sharing is limited to agreed exhibition, catalogue or programme support.
User rights
Families may request access, correction or deletion by contacting the support email.