The annual, all-island national art competition This Is Art! is back for its third consecutive year.
RTÉ and the Creative Ireland Programme is once again calling on young artists in the west to submit their work.
Celebrating visual art made by children and young people all over the island of Ireland, This Is Art! invites artists of all abilities, aged 18 and under, individually or in groups, to create an original piece of art to be showcased in an online TIA! digital collection.
The theme of this year’s competition is "This Is Inspiration"
Jury member Amanda Coogan says:“ To inspire means literally 'to breathe life into' I’m really looking forward to seeing what it is that inspires you. What ideas have you chosen to breathe life into? And how have you chosen to do it? The brief is wide open so we’re really looking forward to seeing how you respond to it!”
Speaking at the launch of This is Art at the Waterford Gallery of Art, Minister Catherine Martin ays the competition it is very real testament to the talent and creativity of our young people.
"I would encourage children right across the island of Ireland to get creative, have fun and participate in this year’s competition. The lucky winners will be announced on Saturday June 10 for Cruinniú na nÓg- Ireland’s national day of free creativity for young people.
A prize fund of more than €10,000 will be awarded across the different categories for further education and art related vouchers.
Opening date for entries is March 13 and the closing date for entries is nidnight May 8.
Commenting, RTÉ Director General, Dee Forbes said: “Over the last two years, This is Art! has highlighted the level of creativity that exists among young artists of all ages and all abilities all over the country. We have been so impressed by the quality of the entries we've received. So, we're looking forward to seeing as many young people as possible respond to our invitation to use their imaginations, get creative and get involved in this third edition of This is Art! If the last two years are anything to go by, the judges have another tough job on their hands this year. Good luck to everyone."
How it works
The competition is open to all young people of all abilities, aged 18 and under, residing on the island of Ireland and is inclusive of all visual art disciplines.
There are 5 categories:
• Age 7 and under
• Age 8 – 11
• Age 12 – 15
• Age 16 - 18
• Group category
To enter
CREATE a piece of original visual art, SNAP or Scan a digital version of it, UPLOAD your entry, along with a short artist statement, to rte.ie/thisisart
All eligible artwork will then be reviewed by an independent panel of jurors and exhibited in our This Is Art! online gallery. Selected works will feature on local authority billboards across the country and on social media.
