Arty Animals – Real or Imaginary Creature Companions

Children and Young People’s Art Competition.

Rules & Terms and Conditions.

Part A – Competition Rules

1. Who Can Enter

  • Open to children and young people aged 5–16 as of 6th November 2025 and who live in Oxfordshire.
  • Age groups: 5–9 years, 10–13 years, 14–16 years.
  • No previous art training required.

2. Theme

The 2025 theme is “Arty Animals – Real or Imaginary Creature Companions”.

3. Valid Entries

  • Accepted: painting, drawing, collage and any other mediums on a flat surface not exceeding A3 in size; or sculpture, object or model where height, width and depth do not exceed 12cm.
  • Not accepted: digital artworks, AI-generated works, photographs, 3D-printed models.
  • All work must be original and created solely by the entrant.

4. How to Enter and Key Dates

  • Submit a photo or scan of your artwork via email to this address: artyanimals@artschool.org.uk
  • Entrant’s name, age and title of artwork must be the file name.
  • Parent/guardian contact number and home address in the email.
  • Unfortunately we cannot accept entries without the above information.
  • Deadline for entries: Midnight, Thursday 6 November 2025.
  • Deliver your physical artwork either in person or via post to: Sunningwell School of Art, The Old School, Sunningwell nr. Abingdon OX13 6RD to arrive no later than Monday 17th November 9pm. All entries will be included in the exhibition.
  • Winning artists and runners up will be notified via email: Sunday 16 November 2025.
  • The exhibition of all entrants, runners-up and winners will be exhibited at: Magdalen Road Studios, 74 Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1RE. www.magdalenroadstudios.com.
  • The exhibition runs from Monday December 1st (6pm-8pm), Tuesday 2nd to Friday December 5th, (12pm-6pm) 2025.
  • Exhibition private view for families and friends: Monday December 1st, 6pm-8pm.

5. Judging

  • Entries will be reviewed by a panel of professional artists and invited judges.
  • Sarah Wiseman of The Sarah Wiseman Gallery, South Parade, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7JL
  • Sarah Spackman RBA
  • Becky Paton OAS
  • Stage 1: Digital review of entries and shortlist creation.
  • Stage 2: Final judging from the shortlist of 3 winners, one for each age category, and two runners-up for each age category.
  • The judges’ decision is final.

6. Prizes

  • Winners and runners-up (9 total):

Winners in each category – Your artwork professionally framed by the Sarah Wiseman Gallery (if 2d) or display plinth and engraved plaque (if 3d), a voucher for £50 worth of art materials from Broad Canvas and a full bursary for a term in a young person’s class of your choice at Sunningwell School of Art worth over £200.

Runners-up in each category – A voucher for £30 worth of art materials from Broad Canvas and a full bursary for a term in a young person’s class of your choice at Sunningwell School of Art worth over £200.

7. Entry Requirements

All entries must include the following information:

• Entrant’s name
• Entrant’s age
• Title of artwork
• Parent/guardian email address
• Parent/guardian contact number
• Home address

8. Permissions

By entering, parents/guardians consent to artworks being displayed at the Magdalen Road Studios, and for images of artworks to be shared in SSoA publicity (website, social media, press). Copyright remains with the artist.

Part B – Terms & Conditions

  1. Eligibility: Competition is open to children and young people aged 5–16 residing in Oxfordshire. Only one entry per child is permitted. The organisers reserve the right to verify age and residency.
  2. Submission: Entries must be original and created solely by the entrant. Acceptable formats are as stated in the rules. Entries must be submitted by the deadlines published; late entries will not be accepted.
  3. Originality: Plagiarised works, AI-generated images, photography and 3D-printed models are ineligible. Entries must not infringe the rights of any third party.
  4. Judging: Entries will be judged by a panel appointed by SSoA. The panel’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Judging criteria include creativity, originality, and interpretation of theme.
  5. Prizes: Prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered. SSoA reserves the right to substitute prizes of equal or greater value if circumstances require.
  6. Exhibition and Publicity: By entering, entrants and parents/guardians agree to their works being exhibited at the Magdalen Road Studios. SSoA reserves the right to reproduce images of submitted works for publicity in print, digital and press media. Copyright remains with the entrant.
  7. Data Protection: Personal details provided will be used only for the administration of the competition and will not be shared with third parties unless necessary for competition delivery (e.g. framing, exhibition arrangements). Data will not be used for marketing unless separate consent is provided.
  8. Liability: While all reasonable care will be taken, SSoA accepts no responsibility for the loss or damage of works in transit or during exhibition. Entrants are advised not to submit works of high monetary value.
  9. General: SSoA reserves the right to amend or withdraw the competition if necessary due to circumstances beyond its control. Participation in the competition constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.

To download a copy, please click on the link below.

Competition Terms and Conditions