Art competitions for kids can be great motivation for students to create and showcase their best work. The contests and themes vary from general to thematic, such as NASA or conservation. Winners are recognized on a national or global stage. In some cases, young artists will even receive a scholarship or cash prize for their creativity!
To help your child build their art skills and creativity before competing, explore live online art classes and online art camps with a curriculum designed by Google, Stanford, and MIT professionals.
Students in Grades 1-4 can learn digital art concepts, including how to create their own comics, with live expert instruction in Budding Digital Artist. Students in Grades 3-6 can learn how to create stunning graphic designs such as posters and presentations, and even edit cool videos in Create with Canva. Beginners in Grades 5-12 can design beautiful websites using Wix in Modern Website Design.
Discover Online Art Competitions For Students
Art organizations and charitable foundations offer art competitions to engage students in the arts and to promote education about their mission. Whether students win or not, they benefit from a boost in self-confidence as an artist whose work deserves to be seen by others. Students are challenged to solve a specific artistic problem and grow in their process, and they reflect on their work as they get feedback from judges.
When picking an art competition to enter, be mindful of deadlines, guidelines the artwork should follow, and check if there are any entry fees. This list includes free or scholarship-based entries only for artists ages 2-18. Good luck and happy creating!
Drawing Competitions For Kids
To start, here are the details on annual drawing competitions that draw inspiration from songbirds to space exploration.
1. NASA 2025 Commercial Crew Artwork Contest
NASA's Commercial Crew Program is holding its annual competition inviting kids ages 4-12 to submit artwork to be featured in their 2025 Commercial Crew Program Children's Artwork Calendar. First, second, and third place artwork will be picked from the age groups 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12 per each of the four themes. Entries will be judged on originality and theme. Check their page to see if this year's themes have been provided yet.
Dates: Deadline for submissions is October 28, 2024 at 11:59 PM CDT.
Prize: Feature in NASA's Commerical Crew Program Children's Artwork Calendar
Ages: 4-12
2. NASA Langley Student Art Contest
Ready to explore the last frontier? NASA asks students to find inspiration from space flight, earth science, STEM fields, and NASA Missions to create an original print or digital artwork. Entries are judged based on their communication of the theme, creative techniques, and composition. Winners are selected from each grade level to be featured in a gallery. Details on next year’s contest, including theme and submission timeline, will be available in October.
Dates: Annually in December
Prize: Certificate and NASA Swag Package
Ages: Grades K-12
3. Art of Conservation Songbird Art Contest
Hosted by Wildlife Forever, the Songbird Art Contest aims to share the wonder and diversity of North American songbirds. Students submit a drawing and creative writing essay about a species from the Official Songbird List, then research and record field notes to learn more about their species. Entries are judged by age group and in Creativity and Technique categories.
Dates: Annually in November
Prize: Featured on Songbird Website & Social
Ages: Grades K-12
4. Celebrating Art Contest
Celebrating Art has three free art contests each year. With multiple categories, students can enter their best work of drawing, painting, collage, or computer graphics. About forty-five percent of student art is accepted to be published in the annual art anthology. In addition, winning students earn their teachers free classroom supplies!
Dates: Annually in Spring, Summer, and Fall
Prize: Publication, $25 gift card and free book
Ages: Grades K-12
5. SIGGRAPH SpaceTime Student Exhibition
In support of computer graphics in education, SIGGRAPH offers a themed poster contest each year centered around a chosen theme. Student winners who create a computer-based media creative work have the opportunity to exhibit their work nationally and internationally. The theme for 2024 is “The future of computer graphics and interactive techniques.”
Dates: Annually in May
Prize: Participation in International online exhibition
Ages: High School & College
6. JQA International Environmental Drawing Contest
JQA has been around since 1999 with this art contest that receives entries from students in over 80 countries. The 2024 theme, “Passing on Our Precious Earth to The Future,” asks students to think about how we can live lightly on the planet. Entries can be drawing, paint, pastel, or any other 2D medium.
Dates: Annually in May
Prize: Special memorabilia and participation prize
Ages: 7-15
7. National PTA Reflections Program
The National PTA Reflections Program encourages students from pre-K through grade 12 to explore and reflect on their artistic talents through a theme-based competition. Categories include visual arts, literature, photography, music composition, dance choreography, and film production. This year's theme is "Accepting Imperfection." Winners at the national level receive recognition and awards.
Dates: Varies by local PTA deadlines, typically October to December
Prize: National Award of Excellence, National Award of Merit; prizes vary by category and level
Ages: Pre-K through Grade 12
8. The Congressional Art Competition
The Congressional Art Competition invites high school students to create artwork representing their district. The winning piece is displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year. This competition offers a unique opportunity for students to gain national recognition and showcase their talent.
Dates: April 2024 (Submission deadlines vary by Congressional district)
Prize: Winning artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol; certificates and recognition for winners
Ages: High School students
Art Contests For Kids With Cash Prizes
In addition to the recognition of a job well done, the following art contests also offer scholarship and cash prizes for student artwork.
9. U.S. Kids Magazine's Cover Contest
U.S. Kids calls on young artists each year to illustrate a cover for their magazines based on a theme. The theme this year is “tell us about a dream you had with your art.” In addition to getting a cash prize, the winner is featured on the cover of Jack and Jill or Humpty Dumpty Magazine.
Dates: February 1, 2024
Prize: 1st - $500; 2nd - $250.00; 3rd - $100.00
Ages: 2-12
10. Doodle for Google
You know how the Google homepage logo changes for different holidays? Your young artist’s entry could be just that! Students submit a drawing of the Google logo based on a different theme each year. In addition to the prize package, the winner will have their Google logo displayed on the Google homepage for a day. Entries are judged on artistic merit, creativity, and theme communication.
Dates: Annually in March
Prize: $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology package for their school/non-profit organization
Ages: Grades K-12
11. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
This long-running contest has 28 different categories for teens to submit their art entries, including comic art, digital art, drawing, and more. Notable alumni that have won the Scholastic awards include Joyce Carol Oates, Andy Warhol, and inaugural poet Amanda Gorman! Art entries are evaluated on originality, technical skill, and personal voice. The entry fee of $7 per work can be waived with a scholarship form.
Dates: Annual Deadlines in September - December
Prize: Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 + national recognition and exhibition
Ages: Grades 7-12
12. Science Without Borders Art Challenge
Students from around the world participate in the Science Without Borders Challenge each year to promote ocean conservation through art. The theme for the 2025 Science without Borders® Challenge is “Marine Keystone Species.” Keystone species play a crucial role in keeping ocean ecosystems healthy and balanced. To apply for this year’s contest, students should submit artwork featuring a keystone species that lives in the ocean, highlighting this creature’s vital role in its marine ecosystem. Painting or drawing entries are judged based on theme, artistic merit, creativity, and visual impact.
Dates: Annually in March
Prize: 1st - $500; 2nd - $350.00; 3rd - $200.00
Ages: 11-19
13. YoungArts Foundation Competition
The YoungArts Foundation Competition recognizes young artists in visual arts, design, and performing arts. Participants submit their work for a chance to win scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and participate in masterclasses with leading artists. This competition is a prestigious platform for emerging young talents.
Dates: October 1, 2024 (Submission begins) October 17, 2024 (Submission closes)
Prize: Cash scholarships, mentorship opportunities, participation in masterclasses, attendance at National YoungArts Week
Ages: 15-18
14. Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest
Each year Toyota invites students to dream about how they would like to get around in the future in their Dream Car Contest. Students draw or paint anything they can imagine for their dream car - one of last year’s winners was a Giraffe car that delivers groceries to high-rise apartments. Entries are judged on concept, uniqueness, and artistry. This contest is only open to residents in countries outside the US.
Dates: Annually in January
Prize: 1st - $750; 2nd - $500; 3rd - $250
Ages: 4-15
15. CFGL Young Artists Contest
The Center for Future Global Leaders invites young artists in grades 9-12 to submit an original work of art inspired by the idea of TRANSFORMATION. Submissions may be works of graphic design, painting, photography, film, sculpture, multimedia, dance, musical or spoken-word performance, poetry, or any other creation that can be reasonably defined as “creative art”.
Dates: September 14, 2024, 11:59pm Pacific Time, Winners will be announced by October 16, 2024
Prize: First Place: $300 scholarship, Second Place: $200 scholarship, Third Place: $100 scholarship
Ages: Grades 9-12 who have been or are currently enrolled in a program at Elite Prep.
Brainstorming Exercises To Spark Creativity For Art Contests For Kids
Brainstorming is a crucial step in the creative process, helping kids generate unique and original ideas for art contests. Here are some engaging brainstorming exercises and prompts designed to inspire your child and make their artwork stand out:
1. Theme Exploration Exercise
Encourage your child to imagine they are a storyteller. Ask them, "How would you tell a story that fits this year’s contest theme?” Start by discussing the theme of the contest with your child. Ask them to think about what the theme means to them and how it can be visualized. For example, if the theme is “The Future,” encourage them to envision different aspects of the future, such as advanced technology, futuristic cities, or imaginative inventions. Have them sketch out a few rough ideas or write a short paragraph about how they would tell a story around the theme.
2. Collage Inspiration Board
Encourage your child to create a collage of images and ideas related to the contest theme. Gather magazines, printouts, or digital images related to the theme. Have your child cut out or collect images, colors, and textures that inspire them. Arrange these items on a board or paper to create a visual inspiration board. This exercise helps them see how different elements can come together to form a cohesive idea. Encourage them to use this board as a reference when designing their artwork.
3. Mind Mapping
Help your child build a mind map around the contest theme to explore various related ideas. Start with the contest theme written in the center of a large sheet of paper. Draw branches extending out from the center with different ideas, concepts, or elements related to the theme. For example, if the theme is “Nature,” branches could include animals, plants, seasons, and habitats. Encourage your child to add sub-branches with specific details or imagery.
4. Artistic Style Exploration
Empower your child to explore different artistic styles and techniques that could fit the theme. Introduce your child to various artistic styles (e.g., impressionism, surrealism, abstract) and techniques (e.g., watercolor, collage, digital art). Have them experiment with these styles and techniques to see how they can be applied to the theme. For example, if the theme is “Underwater World,” they might try creating a surreal underwater scene or an abstract representation of ocean life. This exercise encourages experimentation and helps kids find a unique approach to their artwork.
Enter Art Competitions For Kids
Art competitions can be an excellent, focused way to get students of all ages creating and sharing their artwork with the world. Keep an eye on the calendar because most competitions return each year. Maybe we will see your student's art on the Google homepage or in NASA’s art gallery someday! Up next, check out fun STEM contests.
If you’re looking to engage your child in fun classes with a live teacher while developing their artistic skills, check out Create & Learn's online art and design classes, including the popular Design and Video Editing in Canva to create flyers, cards, posters, and videos.
Annie Schmitt is a Computer Science Teacher and Teaching Artist from Pennsylvania. She loves using art, technology, and science together to create exploratory hands-on learning experiences for students in grade K-12. As a Teaching Artist, she travels to schools and organizations in her state to teach children stop-motion animation, game design, and visual outdoor art. Annie has taught thousands of students from states all over the U.S. and countries around the world.
