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)

 

Ned Smith 32nd Annual Youth Art Contest (US Only)

DEADLINE: May 23, 2025

Ages: Grades 1 – 12 

Fee: $10

 

Mamai Art Gallery International Children’s Art/Poetry Contest (All Countries)

DEADLINE: May 30, 2025

Ages: 5 – 15

 

JQA International Environmental Children’s Drawing Contest (All Countries) 

DEADLINE: May 31, 2-25

Ages: 7 – 15

 

Museum of Cycladic Art International Kids Art Contest (All Countries) 

DEADLINE: May 9, 2025

Ages: 4 – 17

 

Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Student Contest (International)

DEADLINE: June 9, 2025

Ages: 11 – 18

 

Celebrating Art (US Only) 

DEADLINE: August 7, 2025

Ages: Grades K – 12

 

Children’s Mangrove Art Project (All Countries) 

DEADLINE: August 10, 2025

Ages: 7 – 16

 

K12 Art Competition (US Only) 

DEADLINE: August 25, 2025

Ages: Grades K – 12

 

HAPPY DEGART 2025 (All Countries) 

DEADLINE: September 2, 2025

Ages: 4 – 17

 

Youth Wildlife Art Contest (US Only) 

DEADLINE: October 1, 2025

Ages: Grades 1 – 12

 

Pentel International Children’s Art Exhibition (All Countries) 

DEADLINE: Mail-in entries must arrive no later than October 31, 2025

Ages: 3 to 15

 

Wyland National Art Challenge (US Only)

DEADLINE: December 1, 2025

Ages: Grades K – 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