The Global Canvas 2026 children’s art competition is run by David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF). It is open for entries from 30th September 2025 until 19th February 2026 (23.59 UK time).

No entries will be accepted after the deadline.

No physical artwork should be sent to DSWF.

Each entry must comprise of original artwork in any medium. The artwork cannot be produced wholly or in part using artificial intelligence.

The artwork must be undertaken by a child or group of children aged between 4 and 16 years at the deadline date of 19th February 2026. Group and individual entries will be judged separately and in the following age categories – age 4 to 7 years, age 8 to 11 years and age 12 to 16 years.

All entries must interpret the Global Canvas 2026 theme which is ‘The Book of Life’ as described on the DSWF website

Each group and individual entry must comprise of:
i. A fully completed group or individual entry form, completed by a responsible adult aged over 18.
ii. Up to three images of the artwork. Please note that the judges only have these photographs to assess the quality of the artwork and so please provide well-lit and formatted photographs where possible.
iii. Groups are defined as two or more young people collaborating over the production of the artwork.

Permission from each student’s parent/legal guardian must be sought and obtained prior to entry to the competition as photographs of each entry may be used in the virtual final (which will be hosted on YouTube after the event), website, social media, email and press. These permissions will be assumed if the entry is submitted.

For individual entries, please note that we may use your name (first name and first initial of surname), age and country of residence for the purpose of identifying you as the creator of your entry.

Entries will be judged on the quality of the techniques used, composition, clever interpretation of the theme, creativity, and, for group entries, level of collaboration.

The decision of the judges will be final. We cannot give individual feedback on entries.

DSWF reserve the right to cancel the Global Canvas 2026 competition should circumstances arise out of their control that make this necessary.

Entries are free but donations to DSWF’s charitable work would be very welcome and can be made, via the entry form, on our website, by cheque made payable to ‘DSWF’ and sent to ‘Global Canvas Art Competition, DSWF, Saba House, 7 Kings Road, Shalford, Surrey GU4 8JU’ (please include the name of the group / school or individual you are donating from) or by calling the office Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (UK time) on 0044 (0)1483 272323. Please note that donations do not affect judging.

Children and their parents or guardians give permission to DSWF for a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty free licence in perpetuity to use the artwork for reproduction and trading/merchandising purposes if DSWF should so choose. In these cases children, parents and guardians will be informed of the merchandise.

Children and their parents or guardians give permission to DSWF to use the artwork images for marketing, promotion, social media and website purposes. All artists will be credited by name and artworks credited by title.

Winners (first, second, third) will receive a voucher for art supplies. You will have one month from the day of notification of your win to respond to DSWF and accept the prize. The prize is not refundable and not transferable.

Winners and finalists will receive a certificate as evidence of their achievement.

To learn more about how we use your data, please read our Privacy Policy.