Art Competition 2026 - World of Colour
Enter today - Bring your imagination to life!
We’re excited to announce that the 2026 Art Competition is now open! This year’s theme is “World of Colour.”
The theme encourages participants to use art to explore the colours, experiences and perspectives that make our world unique. Whether inspired by nature, culture or imagination, entrants are encouraged to interpret the theme in their own way. From bright, bold landscapes to subtle moments of everyday beauty, “A World of Colour” offers endless opportunities for artists to tell their stories through creativity.
The competition is one of the biggest and long standing of its kind, with over 30,000 children entering each year. The competition is open to under 18’s across our bond area and encourages young artists to creatively explore this years theme using pencil, paint, ink, charcoal, gouache, watercolour, poster paint, acrylic, oil, felt tip pens, crayons and collage – the possibilities are only limited by your imagination!
How the Competition Works
All entries must be in the form of a poster in either A3 or A2 landscape.
Entries do need to be on A3 or A2 Landscape and must be handed in to a life Credit union public office by 5pm on Friday October 16th, 2026. Entry forms can be downloaded and printed here.
If you require any further information please email artcompetition@lifecu.ie
There are two categories – General Category & Additional Needs Category within each age group. The following age groups apply in each category:
Age limit applicable as of December 31st, 2026.
- 7 years and under
- 8 – 10 years inclusive
- 11 – 13 years inclusive
- 14 – 17 years inclusive
Proof of year of birth may be requested by the credit union.
The Additional Needs Category allows participants with a physical or intellectual disability to be actively encouraged by their teachers to submit entries in free expression painting or drawing, without the restrictions of the competition’s official theme (should they so wish). There is a separate section for group entries in the Additional Needs Category only, where they will need to tick the box if submitting a group entry.
Entries will require the signature of a teacher or facilitator or guardian to declare the work is the unaided effort of the entrants. Entrants will need to tick a box to declare the work is their unaided effort or the unaided effort of the entrants.
If less than five entries are received in any one category, credit unions have the option not to judge that category.
Winners at a national level may be used in the Credit union 2027 calendar with all national prize winners listed on the inside cover.
