Art Competition Application - Where Stars Are Born

The Warmth We Carry

Open worldwide to artists aged 8 and above, The Warmth We Carry invites you to explore how memories, relationships and experiences of care and belonging stay with us—and how we pass that warmth on. Your response may begin with a person, an object, a sound, a tradition or an imagined place. Personal, symbolic and abstract interpretations are welcome; Christmas imagery is not required. Tell us the idea behind each artwork in a concept description of up to 100 words.

Deadline: 6 December 2026, 23:59 UK time. Entry fee: £15 for one artwork or £20 for two artworks, for all ages.

Before starting, prepare a clear JPG or PNG of each artwork (up to 10 MB) and a concept description of up to 100 words per work. For artists under 18, a parent or legal guardian must complete the application. Please read the competition rules and prizes.

Your concept description

Include a short concept description of up to 100 words per artwork, explaining what inspired it and how it responds to “The Warmth We Carry”. The connection does not need to be immediately visible; your words can help the viewer discover it.

There is no single right interpretation. We are interested in your perspective and the idea behind your work. Descriptions must be in English. Translation help, including AI translation, is allowed provided it preserves the artist’s own ideas. This does not permit AI-generated artwork. Simple language is welcome, and writing ability is not assessed. Younger artists may receive help expressing their own ideas.

Images and artwork details

Provide the title, year, medium and dimensions of each artwork, together with a clear photograph or scan. For photography, upload the photograph itself and give its dimensions in pixels. Upload JPG or PNG images, at least 2,000 pixels on the longest side and no larger than 10 MB per image.

For physical artworks, photograph the whole work straight on in good light, avoiding reflections, shadows and surrounding objects. An additional detail image is optional. For photography entries, cropping and basic non-generative adjustments to exposure, colour and contrast are allowed. Do not use generative AI to create, add, replace or remove image content. Images of physical artworks must accurately represent the original. This stage of the competition is online only: no shipping or framing is required. Do not send original artworks with your online entry.

Name your files: use Category_ArtworkTitle_1.jpg for your first work and Category_ArtworkTitle_2.jpg for your second (or use .png). Replace Category with Junior, Youth or Adult, matching your application; for example, Junior_QuietLight_1.jpg. For an optional detail image, add _detail before the extension. Do not include your name, school, date of birth or contact details in filenames, images or concept descriptions. The organisers will use your application details to match the work to your entry.

1. Artist

The Warmth We Carry — Christmas Edition 2026. Open worldwide from age 8. Deadline: 6 December 2026, 23:59 UK time.

Artist full name *

Artist display name *

The name to use for public credits and the gallery. For younger artists, a first name or chosen display name is welcome.

Date of birth (private) *

Used only to verify age on 6 December 2026. Entrants must be at least 8 on that date.

Age category *

Select the participant’s age on 6 December 2026.

Country representing *

2. Contact

For an artist under 18, this application must be completed by a parent or legal guardian.

Parent / guardian full name *

Relationship to artist *

Contact email *

For artists under 18, provide the parent or guardian’s email. For adults, provide the artist’s email.

Contact telephone *

Include country code, starting with + (for example, +44 for the UK). For artists under 18, provide the parent or guardian’s number.

Art teacher / school / studio (optional)

Short artist biography (optional)

Optional, up to 100 words about your interests and creative practice. Experience and achievements are not judging criteria.0 / 100

3. Your artworks

Submit your own original artwork responding to “The Warmth We Carry”. Judging focuses on interpretation, originality and expression of the idea, taking age into account. Technical skill and writing quality are not scored separately.

Number of artworks *

Same prices for all ages. Add a second artwork for £5 in this application. Each work is judged separately.

One artwork — £15Two artworks — £20 total

Artwork 1

Artwork 1 — title *

Artwork 1 — medium / materials *

Accepted media: painting, drawing, collage, mixed media, printmaking and photography. Sculpture and 3D works are not accepted. Strictly no artwork created wholly or partly using generative AI.

Artwork 1 — year created *

Artwork 1 — dimensions *

Height × width in cm for physical artworks, or height × width in pixels for photographs.

Artwork 1 — concept description *

Up to 100 words: explain the idea behind your artwork and how it responds to “The Warmth We Carry”. You might explore a memory, relationship, sound, place or experience of care and belonging. Personal, symbolic and abstract responses are welcome. Younger artists may receive help putting their own ideas into words.0 / 100

Artwork 1 — main image *

Required JPG or PNG, maximum 10 MB, at least 2,000 pixels on the longest side. For physical artwork, show the whole work clearly and accurately. For photography, upload the photograph itself; cropping and basic non-generative exposure, colour and contrast adjustments are allowed. Strictly no generative AI content or edits. Name this file Category_ArtworkTitle_1.jpg (or .png), for example Junior_QuietLight_1.jpg. Use Junior, Youth or Adult as selected above. Do not include your name, school, date of birth or contact details in the filename.

Artwork 1 — detail image (optional)

Optional close-up of the same artwork, JPG or PNG, maximum 10 MB. Use Category_ArtworkTitle_1_detail.jpg (or .png), for example Junior_QuietLight_1_detail.jpg. Do not include personal details. This is not an additional competition entry.

Artwork 2

Artwork 2 — title *

Artwork 2 — medium / materials *

Accepted media: painting, drawing, collage, mixed media, printmaking and photography. Sculpture and 3D works are not accepted. Strictly no artwork created wholly or partly using generative AI.

Artwork 2 — year created *

Artwork 2 — dimensions *

Height × width in cm for physical artworks, or height × width in pixels for photographs.

Artwork 2 — concept description *

Artwork 2 — main image *

Required JPG or PNG, maximum 10 MB, at least 2,000 pixels on the longest side. For physical artwork, show the whole work clearly and accurately. For photography, upload the photograph itself; cropping and basic non-generative exposure, colour and contrast adjustments are allowed. Strictly no generative AI content or edits. Name this file Category_ArtworkTitle_2.jpg (or .png), for example Junior_QuietLight_2.jpg. Use Junior, Youth or Adult as selected above. Do not include your name, school, date of birth or contact details in the filename.

Artwork 2 — detail image (optional)

Optional close-up of the same artwork, JPG or PNG, maximum 10 MB. Use Category_ArtworkTitle_2_detail.jpg (or .png), for example Junior_QuietLight_2_detail.jpg. Do not include personal details. This is not an additional competition entry.

4. September 2027 exhibition

First and second place winners in all three age categories will be invited to exhibit one winning artwork in England, with the exhibition participation fee waived. Attendance is optional. Venue, dates and delivery arrangements will be announced. Travel and accommodation are not included.

If selected, would you be interested in attending the exhibition?

Optional and non-binding. Your answer does not affect judging or eligibility for an exhibition invitation.

YesPossiblyNo

5. Permissions and declarations

For artists under 18, the parent or legal guardian must complete these declarations.

Artist biography publicity permission (optional)

Optional permission to publish the submitted biography alongside selected artwork. This does not affect judging.

Yes, I give permissionNo, I do not give permission

6. Keep in touch

News about future events (optional)

Optional news about future Where Stars Are Born competitions, events and opportunities. Entering does not automatically subscribe you.

Yes, send me future newsNo, competition administration only

How did you hear about Where Stars Are Born?

7. Entry fee

One artwork: £15. Two artworks: £20 total. The same prices apply to all ages. Pay once for this application through Stripe. The fee includes judging, administration and a digital participation diploma. Online gallery and social media selection are not guaranteed. All materials and payment must be received by 6 December 2026. Payments are charged in GBP. International cards are accepted, subject to your bank’s approval. If you have difficulty paying, contact contact@wherestarsareborn.co.uk.

Discount code (optional)

Enter the code from your Vocal competition confirmation email. A valid code reduces the Art entry fee by 10%: £13.50 for one artwork or £18 for two. Leave blank if you do not have a code.

Secure payment *

£15 for one artwork or £20 for two; with a valid 10% discount code, £13.50 or £18 respectively. Check the amount shown before paying. Secure payment through Stripe.

Name on card *

Enter the full name of the person paying, as shown on their card.

Before you submit

After clicking Submit, please allow up to 10 seconds for your application and payment to process. Keep this page open. Do not submit again, refresh the page or click Back. If your bank asks you to approve the payment, complete that step and wait for confirmation.