Young Artist 2026/2027

Introduction

The District 1320 Rotary Young Artist Competition is open only to entries from within District 1320 that fit the following criteria. It is a THREE-stage competition designed to support and encourage the development of fine art skills and to build confidence in using these skills to express their inner feelings.

Information Pack -

Entry Form -

Theme - 

Aims

This competition aims to encourage young people to:

•    Experiment with creativity within fine art
•    Use traditional or contemporary methods of fine art
•    Show interpretation of their chosen topic
•    express their ideas through the medium of fine art

Who can take part?

This competition is open to all schools and colleges including those that are home educated and any youth groups within your community.

The year range for competitors is:

Junior         Up to 10 years old.

Intermediate    11 to 13 years old.

Senior        14 to 17 years old.

All competitors should fall within these age groups on 31st August 2026.

To adult.

Competition theme and materials

This year’s theme is “Friendship”.

To produce a piece of 2D work on the above theme, attaching a brief description of the thinking behind the creative process, ideally a single sentence.

Maximum sizes of pieces of work per age group are as follows:

Acceptable media are:

•    Pencil
•    Ink
•    Watercolour
•    Acrylic paints
•    Oil pastel
•    Chalk pastels BUT only if fully fixed

Not allowed: Prints, photographs or 3D pieces of work.

The three stages of the Competition

There will be three stages to this competition. Local competitions organised by local Rotary Clubs and the District Final then RGB&I Final

Please intimate your clubs interest by September 28th 2026 with confirmation of participation by email to Jim Hettrick   jim.hettrick@btconnect.com   by Friday 8th January 2027

The first, second and third in each club competition age category, will proceed to the District Final which will be held in March 2027.

Suggested timescales for Local Rotary Club Rounds:

• June – Sept 2026        Approach local schools to gauge interest and suggest the theme is built into lesson plans.
• Aug - Dec 2026    Formalise the timings for the competition to take place. Suggest that judging the school round could take place in May or June 2022 subject to the school timetable and examination dates.
• 8th January 2027    Confirm to District organiser your intention to take part in the competition and in which age categories.      .
• 25th March 2027 District Final    The first, second and third placed in each category goes forward to the District Final. The original art work needs to be with Jim Hettrick on or before 19th March 2027.

Club Budget    Budget for the club competition is of course discretionary. However, we would suggest vouchers for the 1st place of £25, second place of £15, third place £10, with perhaps certificates for 3 highly commended per class.


District Final Venue will be held in Eymouth High School on 25th March 2027

The Winning Entries submitted for the final must have the signed Entry Form accompanying the entry.

The judges’ decision on the day will be final.

The winning entries in each age group will be (all being well) displayed in Showcase at the 2027 District Conference.

Trophies will be given to the winner in each age category.  Trophies for the winners’ schools will be available within 14 days of the District Final.

Competitors

Students should enter the competition organised by the local Rotary club through their school, college or other organisation.

Entry to this competition is only open to those school pupils, home schooled children or youth group members, active within Rotary Scotland South

Working with Children   

Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland has adopted this statement of policy in working with children, the vulnerable and those with disability. The needs and rights of the child, the elderly, the vulnerable and those with disability take priority. It is the duty of every Rotarian to safeguard to the best of their ability, the welfare of and prevent physical, sexual or emotional abuse and neglect of all children, the elderly, persons with disability or otherwise vulnerable persons with whom they come into contact during their duties.