If you know a child who is interested in art, consider helping him or her enter some student art contests. There are lots of online art contests for kids, and as I come across them, I’ll post them on this page.
The Benefits of Entering an Art Contest
I have found that 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 being a good sport.
- 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 start? Keep scrolling for a list of current online student art contests (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.
Stay Up-to-Date!
You can stay up-to-date on current contests through my free newsletter. Subscribe here!
Art Contests
(In order by deadline)
Today’s Stories on Ancient Vases (All Countries)
DEADLINE: April 22, 2024
Ages: 4-15
Air Force Art Contest (US Only)
DEADLINE: April 30, 2024
Ages: 6 and up
ArtEffect Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: May 1, 2024
Ages: Middle School and High School
North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) Art Contest (North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Only)
DEADLINE: May 3, 2024
Ages: Grades K-12
The Spencil Art Prize (Australia and New Zealand Only)
DEADLINE: May 6, 2024
Ages: 13 and under
Never Such Innocence International Competition (All Countries)
DEADLINE: May 24, 2024
Ages: 9-18
Poetry, Art, Speech, and Song
Mamai Art Gallery International Children’s Art/Poetry Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: May 30, 2024
Ages: 5-15
Art or Poetry
JQA International Environmental Children’s Drawing Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: May 31, 2024
Ages: 7-15
Bow Seat’s 2024 Ocean Awareness Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: June 10, 2024
Ages: 11 – 18
45th The International Fine Arts Competition for Children (All Countries)
DEADLINE: June 21, 2024
Ages: 5-18
Sketch for Survival Junior (All Countries)
DEADLINE: June 30, 2024
Ages: 16 and under
PIATRA NEAMT CREATIV VIII (All Countries)
DEADLINE: June 30, 2024
Ages: 8-20
Easter Seals Art Contest (All Countries)
DEADLINE: July 14, 2024
Ages: All
Happy DEGART (All Countries)
DEADLINE: September 1, 2024
Ages: 4-17
Little Jurassic Genius Art Contest (US Only)
DEADLINE: October 1, 2024
Ages: 5-12
Save the Frogs (All Countries)
DEADLINE: November 1, 2024
Ages: All
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
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
Thank you for sharing the international competitions, as a librarian I always look out for such opportunities our students and teachers can participate in.
You’re welcome! 🙂
Thanks for a lot for giving us the information on International art competitions.
You’re welcome! 🙂
Thank you very much for bringing us so many tournaments.
I participated in international tournaments and got many victories.☺️❤️
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that! Congratulations!!
Thank you so much for compiling this list!
You’re welcome! 🙂
Drawing competition online for kids free
hi i found a new contest – Explorers Against Extinction
https://explorersagainstextinction.co.uk/initiatives/sketch-for-survival/junior-sketch-for-survival/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItb2FxJCd_wIVVOd3Ch1Bhg7tEAAYASAAEgIxk_D_BwE
in case i didnt see it on your web// enjoy
Thanks!
Great find! Thank you!
Thanks for doing a superb job giving us valuable info. you have a kind personality.