SCHOOL ART COMPETITION 2027
International Student Art Competition and Art Festival
April 29–May 2, 2027 | Antalya, Türkiye
The School Art Competition is an independent and international art and cultural organization designed to encourage children and young people to develop original artistic projects and to bring together art, science, and technology.
The 2027 event will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from April 29 to May 2, 2027. After completing their preparation, participating students will create new artwork from scratch during a live art marathon, known as the Artathon, lasting up to eight hours. The works will be evaluated by an International Jury.
2027 Theme
“Ideas That Change the World”
Students are encouraged to identify a problem they would like to change or improve in their surroundings, everyday life, or the wider world, and express their original solution or idea through art.
Possible approaches include ideas that:
- Make people’s lives easier
- Improve the lives of animals
- Protect nature
- Improve accessibility
- Address problems in school life
- Make everyday life better
Students are encouraged to follow the creative process:
Notice → Think → Develop an Idea → Create → Explain
Who Can Participate?
Students participate in teams.
Each team must consist of at least 3 and no more than 5 students.
The competition includes the following age/grade groups:
- Junior: Preschool / ages 4–6
- Group A: Grades 1–2
- Group B: Grades 3–4
- Group C: Grades 5–6
- Group D: Grades 7–8
- Star Group: Grades 9–10
- Mega Group: Grades 11–12
Parental or legal guardian consent is required for participants under 18.
Competition Categories
The 2027 competition includes:
1. Painting
Theme: Ideas That Change the World
2. Digital Arts
Theme: Ideas That Change the World
3. STEM+ART
Theme: Ideas That Change the World
4. AI-Assisted Visual Arts
Theme: Ideas That Change the World
5. Cartoon and Comic Art
Theme: Open
6. Anime and Character Design
Theme: Open
7. Collage Art
Theme: Open
8. Mixed
Team members may work in different categories, provided that their works support a common team concept.
Artathon – Live Art Marathon
One of the distinctive features of the competition is the live production stage.
Participants are expected to prepare two works:
- A work prepared and submitted before the festival.
- A new work created during the live Artathon at the festival.
During the festival, students create a new work from scratch within a maximum of eight hours, based on the concept and approach of their previously submitted work.
The live work does not have to be an exact copy of the submitted work, but it should maintain a connection with the team’s concept and demonstrate originality.
Painting Category
There is no stated size restriction for the work submitted in advance in the Painting category.
For the live Artathon work, the maximum size is:
35 × 50 cm
Participants may use materials and techniques appropriate to their artistic approach. The regulations specifically exclude the use of oil paint for the live work.
Evaluation
Works are evaluated by the International Jury.
The evaluation considers factors including:
- Idea and awareness of the problem
- Creativity and originality
- Connection with the theme
- Technical execution
- Clean and effective presentation
- Teamwork and overall coherence
- Originality and performance during the live production
The previously submitted work accounts for 60% of the total evaluation, while the live Artathon work accounts for 40%.
The team score is calculated from the average of the individual team members’ scores.
Awards
The 2027 regulations include several award categories rather than only a traditional 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place system.
Awards include:
- Grand Prize
- Excellence Award
- Jury Special Award
- Innovation Award
- Global Vision Award
- Inspiration Award
- Outstanding Achievement Award
- Merit Award
The Grand Prize is awarded to one team within the relevant category and evaluation group, while some other award categories may recognize more than one team.
Important Dates
Registration opens: September 21, 2026
Registration deadline: November 15, 2026
Deadline for online artwork submission: April 16, 2027
Antalya Festival: April 29–May 2, 2027
International Program in Zaragoza, Spain: November 2027
International Exhibition in Spain
Selected works may become candidates for an international exhibition and competition program in Zaragoza, Spain.
Selection for the Zaragoza program does not automatically guarantee travel or physical participation. Further information regarding dates, venue, travel, accommodation, artwork transportation, and any applicable costs will be announced by the organizers.
Travel and Accommodation
Travel and accommodation expenses for participation in the Antalya event are the responsibility of the participants.
Registration
Registration is carried out through the official application system by team advisors.
School Art Competition – Official Website
Important: School Art Competition describes itself as an independent international science, art, and cultural organization. Participants should review the latest official regulations and application information before registering.
