Dec 24, 2024
Oct 22,2024
Young people aged 18 and under are eligible to enter and open their mind with this year's theme - This Is Imagination! Create, Snap and Upload on rte.ie/thisisart by midnight Sunday, 3 November.
This all-island competition is open across five categories and to all abilities:
This is Art! 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. Entries must be photographed and submitted digitally.
Entries are free and you can enter here at rte.ie/thisisart.
This year some of Ireland’s most exciting galleries, artists and creatives jumped at the chance to celebrate the incredible talent of young people across the island of Ireland. Judges include some of Ireland’s leading artists: graffiti and street artist Maser, contemporary abstract artist Leah Hewson and groundbreaking visual artist Aideen Barry.
These exciting names in Irish art will team up with stalwarts in the art community; Tagdh Crowley, Senior Curator in The Glucksman Cork and Sheena Barrett, Head of Research and Learning, at IMMA - the Irish Museum of Modern Art. The five judges will be immersed in the creativity of young people from all over Ireland and have the opportunity to award some of the most imaginative artworks. Last year over 3,000 entries were made.
This is Art! supports the creativity, originality and self-expression of young people. A prize fund of €10,000 will provide awards and bursaries for winners across the five categories. For 2024, Maser has been commissioned to 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.
This is Art! is much more than an art competition, it’s a celebration of the artistic expression of young people. Its purpose is to actively foster creativity in the next generation and to showcase their work in an online gallery. The theme for this year’s competition is; This is Imagination! It offers a blank canvas for budding creatives and young artists of all abilities to create whatever they can imagine. This year's theme encourages entrants to have fun exploring the limitless realms of their creativity, allowing their imagination to take the lead. Young creators will be empowered to express themselves through whatever medium of art they prefer.
Speaking on the launch of This is Art!...
Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media of Ireland said: "Since it was first launched, the enthusiasm for This is Art has been wonderful to witness. Not only have the young people of Ireland responded in their thousands to this great initiative but they have astounded us with their talent and sense of creative adventure. The level of engagement and inventiveness was remarkable and I am delighted that my department is able to continue to support this wonderful competition. I want to wish all young artists the very best of luck; be brave, be bold and have fun!"
If you or someone you know is a budding young artist that could bring to life the theme of This is Imagination! invite them to get involved and upload their entry for free on rte.ie/thisisart.
The competition closes on midnight Sunday, 3 November. Submitted entries can be viewed in the digital gallery which is a growing repository for young people's talent and creativity.
