GRAINES D’ARTISTES DU MONDE ENTIER 2027
34th International Visual Arts Competition
Entry Fee: Free
Eligibility: International – Open to children and young people ages 3–25 worldwide
Organizer: IMAJ – Institut Mondial d’Art de la Jeunesse (World Institute of Youth Art), a UNESCO center
Submission Deadline: January 1, 2027
Artwork Receipt Deadline: February 22, 2027, provided the artwork is mailed no later than January 1, 2027
2027 Theme: “Celebrating Joy, Building Connections: The Party Shapes the Rhythm of Our Lives”
About the Competition
Launched internationally in 1993, Graines d’artistes du monde entier is a visual arts competition that encourages children and young people to express themselves through art. It brings together participants from different countries around a shared theme and promotes creativity, cultural diversity, peace, mutual respect, and international understanding.
The competition’s themes are connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and UNESCO’s Pact for the Future. Participants are encouraged to communicate their ideas about the world, their hopes, and their social awareness through original artwork.
Now in its 34th edition, the 2027 competition invites young artists to draw on their own experiences, cultures, and imaginations to create original work.
2027 Theme
“Celebrating Joy, Building Connections: The Party Shapes the Rhythm of Our Lives.”
Participants are invited to explore joy, celebrations, togetherness, and the connections between people. Possible interpretations include family gatherings, cultural traditions, community events, holidays, shared moments of happiness, and other occasions that bring people together.
Entries should reflect each participant’s personal perspective, cultural background, and imagination.
Eligibility and Age Categories
The competition is open to children and young people ages 3–25 worldwide. Participants are divided into the following categories:
- Ages 3–5
- Ages 6–9
- Ages 10–13
- Ages 14–17
- Ages 18–25
- Medico-social category: Participants up to age 25, without the usual age-group divisions, under the designated special category
Only one entry per person in each category is accepted, according to the competition rules. All submissions must comply with the applicable age and eligibility requirements.
Accepted Art Forms and Techniques
The competition highlights traditional, handmade visual art techniques, including:
- Painting
- Drawing
- Ink
- Colored pencils
- Pastels
- Felt-tip markers
- Ballpoint pen
- Engraving
- Collage
- Other traditional visual art techniques
Artwork must be original and respond to the 2027 theme. Copies, imitations, and plagiarized work are not accepted.
Awards
The jury will evaluate entries based on their response to the theme, artistic merit, and technical quality.
- 100 winners are expected to be selected for exhibition.
- The top three entries in each category will receive gold-plated, silver-plated, and bronze medals, along with personalized diplomas.
- Other winners will receive a bronze medal and a personalized diploma.
- Nominees will receive a personalized honorary diploma by email.
- All participants will be registered in IMAJ’s art archive and receive a digital certificate of participation by email.
Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash or other awards.
Exhibition and Important Dates
- Submission and mailing deadline: January 1, 2027
- Artwork receipt deadline: February 22, 2027, provided the work was mailed by January 1, 2027
- Jury deliberations: March 2027
- Results announced: Beginning April 15, 2027
- Exhibition of winning artwork: May 11–15, 2027
- Awards ceremony: May 15, 2027, at 3:00 p.m.
The exhibition will take place at Espace Argence in Troyes, France. The winning artwork is also expected to be presented in traveling exhibitions in France and abroad.
How to Enter
- Read all the official competition rules carefully.
- Complete the online registration form. A separate form is required for each participant and each artwork submitted.
- Download the label sent by email after completing registration.
- Check the pre-filled information, print the label, date it, and sign it.
- Attach the label to the back of the artwork using glue.
- An explanatory text about the artwork is recommended but not mandatory.
- Package the artwork appropriately and mail it to the address below.
Mailing address:
Michel Girost
IMAJ
1 rue Linard Gonthier
B.P. 279
10008 Troyes Cedex
France
Contact email: ciap@centre-unesco-troyes.org
International entrants should pay close attention to customs requirements. For submissions from outside the European Union, the organizer recommends sending artwork by letter mail rather than as a parcel whenever possible and including a pro forma invoice stating that the contents are a gift or documents with no commercial value. Contact your local postal service before mailing the artwork to confirm the applicable customs declarations and shipping requirements.
Artwork Ownership and Important Notice
Please read this section before entering: Submitted artwork will be retained in IMAJ’s art archive and will not be returned, whether or not it wins an award. Under the competition rules, participants or their legal representatives agree to transfer the economic rights to the artwork to IMAJ on an exclusive, worldwide, and royalty-free basis. Read the registration terms and rights-transfer agreement carefully before submitting.
Dates and rules may change without notice. This announcement is for informational purposes only. Check the official competition website for the latest rules and shipping requirements before entering.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE OFFICIAL COMPETITION WEBSITE
