School Art Competition 2026

Primary and secondary students are invited to take part in Catholic Earthcare’s Annual Art Competition, exploring the theme of 'Living Water'.

Art supply vouchers will be awarded as prizes.
Bishop's Award (primary and secondary):
1st $300 | 2nd $200 | 3rd $100
People's Choice Award: $300 (primary and secondary)

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What is the theme for this year's Catholic Earthcare Art Competition?

This year, the theme is Living Water and is drawn from the global Season of Creation theme for 2026.

Water is a gift from God that sustains all life. Through art, we invite students to explore what Living Water means to them — from rivers, oceans and rainfall, to renewal, hope, justice, faith and care for creation.

We encourage young artists to share their creativity, imagination and love for our common home through an original artwork inspired by this important theme.

Art Competition Teacher's Guide

This guide is designed to support teachers to lead their students to reflect and respond creatively to the Season of Creation theme, Living Water, before they create their artwork.

Download

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What are the entry guidelines to Catholic Earthcare’s Annual Art Competition?

Important: All entries will be shared via our website with the student's first name, initial of last name, grade, name of school and postcode. By submitting an artwork, you agree that the artwork can be used by Caritas Australia and it's partners for promotional purposes that may include, but not limited to, website, print materials, newsletters, video and social media platforms.

Conditions of Entry

Artwork completed during Term 3 and must explore the Season of Creation theme: ‘Living Water’.
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.
Open to Australian Schools only.

Entries must be submitted by a teacher and include:
- Student's name
- Student's year level
- Name of school and postcode

Entries close: 5 pm (AEST) Friday 18 September 2026.

Each entry will be automatically submitted to both the Bishop's Choice and People's Choice awards.

Entries will be posted to our website for judging, with the People's Choice Awards to be decided based on number of votes cast via an online voting form.

All entries must submitted via the online form below. If you have any questions, please email us at: catholicearthcare@caritas.org.au

Enter here

What are the key dates?

Entries close 5 pm (AEST) Friday 18 September 2026

Voting opens Monday 12 October 2026

Voting closes 5 pm (AEST) Monday 19 October 2026

Winners announced Friday 30 October 2026

"The Catholic Earthcare Season of Creation Art Competition has become a wonderful opportunity for students across Australia to reflect on their relationship with creation and express their hopes for our common home through art. The creativity and passion shown last year was truly inspiring and I look forward to once again celebrating the talents and unique perspectives of students across Australia as they respond to this year's theme of Living Water."

Bishop Timothy Harris

Chair, Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service

Prizes

Prizes include art supply vouchers to the value of:

1st $300 | 2nd $200 | 3rd $100

Winners will be announced during the Season of Creation 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.

Season of Creation Gathering

3-4 September 2026 (online)
Join us for this 2-day event to deepen your understanding of integral ecology as we listen, reflect and action in care for all creation.

Learn more and register

Join our Catholic Earthcare Community!

Looking for how you can out you faith and hope into action for care for others and our common come? Then join our community of Earthcarers.

Catholic Earthcare

Laudato Si'-themed resources

Explore our range of Laudato Si' themed resources for schools.

Explore resources

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.