Global Canvas Children’s Art Competition

The Book of Life: Enter Global Canvas 2026 and be part of the world’s greatest children’s wildlife art competition.

Create. Inspire. Protect. Show us your vision for how we can preserve our living world before pages are lost forever.

Key Dates

  • Entry opens: September 30, 2025
  • Entry closes: February 19, 2026
  • Winners announced: Live final, May 1, 2026

Global Canvas is an annual international art competition run by David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation for children and young people up to 16. Each year, we choose a theme that challenges young artists to think deeply about wildlife, conservation, and the environment.

Artwork by ArticScape

2026 Theme:
The Book of Life!

The Book of Life holds as many as ten million species – from tiny plankton to towering elephants. Every time we discover a new animal, like the vegetarian piranha, the book gets bigger. But when a species goes extinct – like the Pinta Island tortoise – a page is lost forever.

We already know how to protect the Book of Life. We can create wild protected areas, restore damaged habitats, rescue endangered species, and stop the illegal trade in wildlife.

For Global Canvas 2026, show us how we can save the Book of Life forever.

The 2026 competition will open for entries in late 2025. Make sure you’re following our socials and signed up to our e-news to be kept in the loop. 

Visit the Global Canvas 2025 finalists gallery

How to enter Global Canvas?

  1. Think about the theme and choose your medium
  2. Create your artwork – size is up to you for individuals; groups may produce displays
  3. Take clear photographs (or scans) of your artwork, and provide an optional short video about your piece or creative process
  4. Complete the online entry form when submissions open
  5. Review and agree to the terms and conditions

Who can enter Global Canvas?

  • Aged 4-16
    (with sub-categories for 4–7, 8–11, 12–16)
  • Individuals or groups
    (groups must have at least 2 participants)
  • Any art medium is welcome
    (painting, sculpture, collage, textiles, etc.)
  • Recycled and found materials are especially encouraged

Prizes and Recognition

Winners in each category receive:

Art supply vouchers or cash awards

Winners’ certificates*

Finalists’ work featured online, and winners announced at our Awards Ceremony

*Due to the size of the competition, we are unable to provide participation certificates for non-winners.

Entry Forms

Individuals

Individual applications for Global Canvas 2026 are opening very soon! Check back here to apply for next year’s competition.

Groups

Group applications for Global Canvas 2026 are opening very soon! Check back here to apply for next year’s competition.

Resources

Here you can find helpful videos, and guides to help you create your masterpiece.

BLOG: Creating a display for Global Canvas read more

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

 

VIDEO: How to Emboss with James Hitchens

James Hitchins Masterclass: Embossing

BLOG: Tips for using recycled material in your Global Canvas display read more

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

 

VIDEO: How to use charcoal with Gale More O’Ferrall

Gale More O’Ferrall Masterclass: Charcoal

Sponsored by

A special thank you to artist and co-founder of Michael O’Mara Books, Lesley O’Mara, for her ongoing support as a personal champion of our work. Buster Books is an imprint of Michael O’Mara Books, publishing quirky children’s books – from picture books and reference titles to interactive books and beyond. They are also an official publisher for LEGO colouring, sticker, and activity books. In both 2020 and 2021, Buster won the Blue Peter Book Award for Best Book with Facts.

Find out and read more at https://www.mombooks.com

2025… A record breaking year!

We were delighted to receive a record-breaking number of entries, and the creativity and innovation on display was truly exceptional.

After a comprehensive judging process, winners were announced at our live Awards Ceremony.

3,727

5,651

95

Entries Children Involved Countries

 

2nd Place, 12-16 Individual
Artwork by Sofi