RTÉ’s ‘This is Art!’ creative kids art competition launches with nature theme
RTÉ’s ‘This is Art!’ creative kids art competition launches with nature theme
Stellar cast of judges issue nationwide callout for budding creatives, offering €10,000 prize fund
RTÉ’s ‘This Is Art!’ competition, supported by Creative Ireland and the Shared Island initiative, is calling on children on the island of Ireland to use their imaginations and embrace the outdoors, with This Is Nature! theme the focus for 2025.
The theme offers a blank canvas for budding creatives and young artists of all abilities to create whatever they can imagine. This year, participants are encouraged to seek the magic of nature, be it the outdoors, and the natural world around us, or the human form and the nature and behaviors of humankind.
The competition promotes artistic practice among young people and encourages and supports creativity, originality and self-expression.
Young creators will be empowered to express themselves through whatever medium of art they prefer. A prize fund of €10,000 will provide awards and bursaries for winners across the five categories.
Now in its fifth year, this all-island competition is open across five categories and to all abilities:
• Age 7 and under
• Age 8 to 11
• Age 12 to 15
• Age 16 to 18
• Group category
A stellar panel of judges has been assembled for the all-Island competition, including renowned street artists Maser and Joe Caslin, award-winning fashion designer Helen Steele, Curator Mary Conlon, and Sean Ronayne, a Cork-born ornithologist and wildlife sound-recordist.
Speaking on the launch of ‘This is Art!’, RTÉ’s Suzanne Kelly, Head of Children’s and Young People’s Content said: “For the past four years, This is Art! has amazed us with the level of creativity and originality we’ve seen. Every year this unique competition grows and grows, and it really is a privilege that we here at RTÉ can help curate & provide continuous access to this amazing art treasure trove for the entire nation. We’re excited to announce this year’s theme: This is Nature! And we can’t wait to see the fresh ideas and unique talent it will inspire. Submissions are now open — get ready to create!”
Dublin-based street artist, Maser, who is a returning This Is Art! judge, said: “I was blown away by the variety and quality of entries when I previously judged this competition. Ireland is full of wildly creative children, I look forward to once again seeing that first hand.”
Joe Caslin added: “To the participants: let your art tell a story – about yourself or how you see the world. Your voice matters and I cannot wait to see what you create. Best of luck.”
Helen Steele is a highly acclaimed award winning Irish designer and artist and gave her competition insights: “The subject of nature is a beautiful one at this time of year – the changing of the light, the leaves falling on the ground, the arrival of the geese and swans migrating here for our mild winters. Let’s embrace what’s around us to create some stunning art.”
Mary Conlon, who is Director of Leitrim Arts Centre The Dock, said: “I see unique creativity daily in my role at The Dock and I encourage the next generation to use their imagination to spark something they can be really proud of – that’s where the joy of art and nature can meet.”
Sean Ronayne, whose autobiography, ‘Nature Boy: A Journey of Birdsong and Belonging’, won the ‘biography of the year’ award at the 2024 Irish Book Awards, is also very excited to be a part of the judging panel: “The all-Island nature of this competition means we’ll get to see the best of creativity from the length and breath of the country – that’s the real pleasure for me.”
How to enter:
• Create, snap and upload on rte.ie/thisisart by midnight Saturday, January 31st. Entry is free and further information on how to enter is available on rte.ie/thisisart.
• This all-island competition is open to entries from young people aged 0-18 and accepts submissions in any and all forms, from paintings, drawings and sculptures to photography, digital art or even creating something using found or upcycled materials.
Last year’s RTÉ ‘This Is Art!’ competition received over 3,000 entries from young artists aged 18 and under. If you or someone you know is a budding young artist and could bring to life the theme of This is Nature! invite them to get involved and start imagining their submission.
In addition to the €10,000 prize fund, Maser will design and create this year’s category winner trophies, making a bespoke piece of art for winners to treasure forever. The bursaries will empower young artists to develop their talent with additional education and training. Beyond the prizes, more than one hundred shortlisted entries will receive personal commendations and feedback from the judges on their work.
Watch ‘This Is Art’ promo here.
Stay up to date:
www.thisisart.rte.ie
@rtejr
@tia.ie
#RteThisIsArt
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For more information: Paddy@thinkhousehq.com | 087 938 2134