Entries are now open for Global Canvas 2025, till 14 February 2025! So pick up those pencils, paints and brushes, and enter your masterpiece. A global competition to celebrate the young wildlife artists of tomorrow. Find out more about this year’s competition below.
Global Canvas children’s art competition is an annual international art contest run by DSWF, to encourage creativity from young people, to display thought and concern for our planet’s environment and the incredible wildlife that inhabits it.
Set up in 2004 by DSWF’s founder, wildlife artist and conservationist David Shepherd, each year, the competition receives thoughtful and creative entries from all over the world, with an amazing array of interpretations of the year’s theme.
There is only one planet – but it is a shared one.
When an elephant eats a farmer’s crops, a lion eats their cattle, or a snow leopard eats their sheep – it creates conflict between these animals and local communities. No one would want to see a family go hungry or lose their livelihoods, but it’s just as important animals aren’t pushed out of their home ranges or are unable to find food.
That’s why finding ways to support local people to live alongside the wildlife around them is essential to conservation and the most worthwhile conservation work balances the needs of both wildlife and people.
This is the very meaning of coexistence.
How we continue to fight the illegal wildlife trade and protect pangolins through our projects on-the-ground in both Africa and Asia.
Highlighting why long-term conservation efforts are essential in mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
How we’re working with local communities to fight wildlife crime, protect prime habitat, and safeguard rhinos in their natural environment.
Children and young people aged 16 and under.
Groups and Individuals – the competition is split into 2 categories which are judged separately.
Groups require a minimum of 2 people.
The categories will then be judged in the following age groups:
Create your artwork Any art techniques can be used to create entries; including painting, sculpture, textiles, collages and we always like to see recycled materials.
Online Entry Form Fill-in the online form for Individual or Group, which will be opening on 9 September 2024 till 14 February 2025. Send us your contact details, clear images and a short video of your artwork.
Winners will be Announced All artwork will then be reviewed by our judges and the winners will be announced online at the live Awards Ceremony on 24 April 2025.
Groups Groups must create a ‘display’ based on the theme to enter the competition. Find out how to create a ‘display’ for Global Canvas.
Individuals Individuals can create an artwork of any size based on the theme.
Terms and conditions.
Individual applications for Global Canvas 2025 are now open. Click the link to enter your masterpiece to our 2025 competition.
Group applications for Global Canvas 2025 are now open. Click the link to enter your group creation to our 2025 competition.
Created by Wildlife Artist of the Year finalists – our masterclasses have been designed exclusively for Global Canvas applicants. We will be publishing upcoming masterclasses, here.
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 board books and reference titles to interactive activity, picture 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.
Young wildlife artists between the ages of 15 and 19 are invited to enter the ‘Youth Exclusive’ category in our Wildlife Artist of the Year competition. Click the button to find out more.
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.
Visit the Global Canvas 2024 finalists gallery
