3rd International Children’s & Youth Art Competition 2026
Theme: Characters from Old Stories
Official Competition Name: 3rd International Children’s & Youth Art Competition 2026
Theme: “Characters from Old Stories”
Online Submission Deadline: October 25, 2026
Deadline for Mailing Selected Original Artwork: November 15, 2026
Eligibility: Children and young people ages 5–25
Scope: International
Entry Fee: Not specified in the official announcement
Organizers: Odi Art Centre, India, and the Culture Research Institute of Asian Folk & Tradition (CRIAFT), Republic of Korea. Cooperating institutions include the National Art Gallery of Mongolia and Mataya Arts & Heritage in Indonesia.
About the Competition
The 3rd International Children’s & Youth Art Competition is an international cultural and artistic project that brings children and young people from different countries together through art.
The competition encourages participants to rediscover traditional stories, cultural heritage, and folk traditions passed down through families and communities. It aims to help young artists learn about their own cultures, understand the cultures of others, and build connections across borders through their artwork.
2026 Theme: Characters from Old Stories
Every country, region, village, and family has stories passed down from generation to generation. These may include myths, legends, folktales, oral traditions, or stories shared by grandparents and other community elders.
For the 2026 competition, children and young people are invited to choose an old story from their culture or community and create an artwork featuring one of its characters, reimagined through their own imagination and perspective.
The character may be a person, animal, hero, spirit, mythical being, or another figure from a traditional story. The goal is not simply to create a technically perfect drawing, but to listen to an old story, interpret it personally, and express it through art.
Who Can Participate?
- Children and young people ages 5–25 from any country are eligible.
- Artwork must be based on the 2026 theme.
- Each work should reflect the young artist’s own artistic interpretation.
Artwork Size Requirements
- Both the width and height must be between 25 cm and 55 cm.
- Portrait and landscape formats are accepted.
- Neither dimension may be smaller than 25 cm or larger than 55 cm.
How to Apply
There are two stages to the submission process.
Stage 1: Online Submission — by October 25, 2026
Participants must complete the official application form and upload a photograph of their artwork. Only a photograph is required during the initial online submission. Do not mail the original artwork with your online application.
Stage 2: Mailing Selected Original Artwork — by November 15, 2026
After the international judging process, participants whose works are selected will be asked to submit their original artwork. Selected participants will receive detailed instructions about packaging, shipping, and the designated mailing address for their country or region.
Judging and Key Dates
- October 25, 2026: Deadline to submit the online application form and artwork photograph.
- By October 30, 2026: International judging is scheduled to be completed.
- November 15, 2026: Deadline for selected and award-winning original artworks to be submitted.
Recognition, Awards, and Exhibition
Selected and award-winning children and young people will receive an official certificate and the opportunity to have their artwork included in an international traveling exhibition. Some participants may also be invited to international art and cultural workshops organized by participating countries and partner institutions.
The traveling exhibition is planned to begin in India and continue to Japan, Mongolia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Poland, the Republic of Korea, and other countries. The exhibition schedule may change.
The Purpose of the Competition
This project is more than an art contest that selects winners. It is a cultural exchange initiative designed to help children and young people discover their heritage, encounter different cultures, and build international friendships through art.
The organizers hope that young artists will help preserve stories passed down through families and communities—stories that might otherwise be forgotten—and share them with audiences around the world.
Contact Information
CRIAFT — Culture Research Institute of Asian Folk & Tradition
Email: art@criaft.com
Website: www.criaft.com
Applicants in India may also contact Odi Art Centre. Country- and region-specific shipping instructions will be provided to selected participants.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE OFFICIAL COMPETITION WEBSITE
