School Art Competition 2026
Primary and secondary students were invited to take part in Catholic Earthcare’s Annual Art Competition, exploring the theme of 'Living Water'.
Be inspired and vote today to show your support!
Voting is now open for the People's Choice Awards
Explore the entries below and vote for your favourite by 5pm (AEDT) Monday 19 October 2026.
Foundation
Click hereYear 1
Click hereYear 2
Click hereYear 3
Click hereYear 4
Click hereYear 5
Click hereYear 6
Click hereYear 7
Click hereYear 8
Click hereYear 9
Click hereYear 10
Click hereYear 11
Click hereYear 12
Click hereVoting is now open for the People's Choice Awards
When you find your favourite artwork, please take note of the Entry Number and complete the voting form.
Voting closes 5pm (AEDT) Monday 19 October 2026.
What was the theme for this year's Catholic Earthcare Art Competition?
This year, the theme was Living Water, drawn from the global Season of Creation theme for 2026.
Water is a gift from God that sustains all life. Through art, students were invited to explore what Living Water meant to them — from rivers, oceans and rainfall, to renewal, hope, justice, faith and care for creation.
We encouraged young artists to share their creativity, imagination and love for our common home through an original artwork inspired by this important theme.
What are the key dates?
Entries close 5 pm (AEST) Friday 18 September 2026
Voting opens Monday 12 October 2026
Voting closes 5 pm (AEDT) Monday 19 October 2026
Winners announced Friday 30 October 2026
Prizes
Prizes include art supply vouchers to the value of:
1st $300 | 2nd $200 | 3rd $100
Winners will be announced by 30 October 2026
Winners
Winners will receive a gift voucher for art supplies!
Bishop's Choice Award
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awarded in each category:
Primary
Secondary
People's Choice Awards
One People's Choice Award for primary and secondary to the value of $300, decided by the number of online votes via the website. Voting opens Monday 12 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Both Primary and Secondary school students in Australia are invited to participate. Teachers must submit the artwork on behalf of their students.
Artwork must reflect the Season of Creation theme - ‘Living Water’.
God’s life-giving water brings healing and new life as we care for all creation.
Teachers must have submitted all entries by 5pm (AEST) on Friday 18 September. Voting opens on Monday 12 October, and winners will be announced by Friday 30 October.
Any still visual medium (e.g. painting, photograph, sculpture, digital image) submitted as an image (JPEG, PNG). No people can be in the photo for it to be a valid entry.
Artwork must be the original work of an individual student. Group, class or collaborative artworks are not eligible.
