About the competition
Orange Bellied Parrot by Anya Radomir
The Threatened Species Children’s art competition helps children unleash their artistic creativity while learning about the extinction crisis facing our native plants and animals. It aims to encourage the next generation of environmental leaders.
In 2016 we started a children’s art competition because we wanted primary aged children to be able to express their feelings about our vanishing native species by creating original paintings and drawings, and writing about their work. We were astonished at the results. Over 600 children contributed and produced some of the most profoundly insightful artworks we had seen. Childrens’ inspiring and challenging creations and written explanations delivered the message that we need to cherish and protect our threatened native plants and animals, and reconnect to the environment which sustains and nurtures us.
In 2017 the competition grew much larger than even we could have imagined. Over 1600 children entered. 63 schools and 14 other programs got involved. Our exhibition was more publicly accessible than before, with an exhibition in the Botanic Garden Sydney. We expanded to welcome entries from the ACT. The exhibition went to Canberra after Sydney and was appreciated by a whole new audience.
In 2018 over 2700 children entered the competition. Exhibitions were held at the Surry Hills Community Centre, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and the Coal Loader Sustainability Centre in North Sydney. The ACT held a parallel competition once again and their exhibition was held in the National Botanic Gardens Canberra.
In 2019 International charity Humane Society International came on board and the competition ran in NSW, the ACT and Victoria. The Kids in Nature Network ran the competition in Victoria and even more children learnt about our precious threatened species and brought awareness to an ever expanding public audience.
The competition did not take place in 2020 but it is back in 2021 bigger and better than ever. Forestmedia have partnered with the Australian Conservation Foundation to deliver this important event which will now be offered to all children 5-12 years old in Australia, and open for entries between June 5 - July 30 this year.
Chris said “I was inspired to paint a watercolour picture of the Swift Parrot because of its beautiful colours. I believe I have seen the Swift Parrot in my local area and the fact that it is listed as endangered is really sad. These attractive birds deserve their place on this planet. Their colours give joy to anyone who sees them feeding off a tree (sometimes hanging upside down) or flying past. As I love animals, I am very conscious of protecting natural habitats and doing my part to help spread awareness.”
Finn said “I felt scared and worried for this koala as I drew it, but also the smallest bit of hope for it. I think the koala is feeling frightened and injured still, because from its look, this koala has been through a lot. Most of the time I was happy with the drawing, but I did feel sad for it while drawing the skin. But I’m happy with the drawing, and I will always feel hope when I see it.”
Layla said “Where I live on the Tweed Coast we have a beautiful family of Koalas that our community fights to protect. To see them become extinct would be really sad because they are a big part of Australian history & I want to do whatever I can to help protect them. This is the inspiration behind my artwork.”
Samira said “This artwork i have drawn, represents the peace and beauty of a leather-back turtle, and to know that this species is endangered makes me guilty and devastated. Part of this endangerment is because we throw plastic rubbish into the ocean. … I am very proud to draw this to make people more aware that we need to take caution of the creatures we share the earth with.”
In 2016 we started a children’s art competition because we wanted primary aged children to be able to express their feelings about our vanishing native species by creating original paintings and drawings, and writing about their work. We were astonished at the results. Over 600 children contributed and produced some of the most profoundly insightful artworks we had seen. Childrens’ inspiring and challenging creations and written explanations delivered the message that we need to cherish and protect our threatened native plants and animals, and reconnect to the environment which sustains and nurtures us.
In 2017 the competition grew much larger than even we could have imagined. Over 1600 children entered. 63 schools and 14 other programs got involved. Our exhibition was more publicly accessible than before, with an exhibition in the Botanic Garden Sydney. We expanded to welcome entries from the ACT. The exhibition went to Canberra after Sydney and was appreciated by a whole new audience.
In 2018 over 2700 children entered the competition. Exhibitions were held at the Surry Hills Community Centre, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and the Coal Loader Sustainability Centre in North Sydney. The ACT held a parallel competition once again and their exhibition was held in the National Botanic Gardens Canberra.
In 2019 International charity Humane Society International came on board and the competition ran in NSW, the ACT and Victoria. The Kids in Nature Network ran the competition in Victoria and even more children learnt about our precious threatened species and brought awareness to an ever expanding public audience.
The competition did not take place in 2020 but it is back in 2021 bigger and better than ever. Forestmedia have partnered with the Australian Conservation Foundation to deliver this important event which will now be offered to all children 5-12 years old in Australia, and open for entries between June 5 - July 30 this year.
Chris said “I was inspired to paint a watercolour picture of the Swift Parrot because of its beautiful colours. I believe I have seen the Swift Parrot in my local area and the fact that it is listed as endangered is really sad. These attractive birds deserve their place on this planet. Their colours give joy to anyone who sees them feeding off a tree (sometimes hanging upside down) or flying past. As I love animals, I am very conscious of protecting natural habitats and doing my part to help spread awareness.”
Finn said “I felt scared and worried for this koala as I drew it, but also the smallest bit of hope for it. I think the koala is feeling frightened and injured still, because from its look, this koala has been through a lot. Most of the time I was happy with the drawing, but I did feel sad for it while drawing the skin. But I’m happy with the drawing, and I will always feel hope when I see it.”
Layla said “Where I live on the Tweed Coast we have a beautiful family of Koalas that our community fights to protect. To see them become extinct would be really sad because they are a big part of Australian history & I want to do whatever I can to help protect them. This is the inspiration behind my artwork.”
Samira said “This artwork i have drawn, represents the peace and beauty of a leather-back turtle, and to know that this species is endangered makes me guilty and devastated. Part of this endangerment is because we throw plastic rubbish into the ocean. … I am very proud to draw this to make people more aware that we need to take caution of the creatures we share the earth with.”
Purple copper butterfly by Amelia Gutwenger (5)
Winner, 5-8 year olds.
Turtle by Aiden Pawson. Second prize 5-8 year olds 2016
What are the judging criteria?
The judges are not simply looking for works that display outstanding technical skills. They will be looking for surprising or interesting interpretations and compositions, and work that demonstrates an emotional connection with the species.
The following judging criteria apply:
Concept: How well the work relates to the threatened species theme
Composition and colour: How well the elements work together to convey the theme
Expression: How imaginatively the work conveys an idea or emotion, or incorporates a specific story.
The judges are not simply looking for works that display outstanding technical skills. They will be looking for surprising or interesting interpretations and compositions, and work that demonstrates an emotional connection with the species.
The following judging criteria apply:
Concept: How well the work relates to the threatened species theme
Composition and colour: How well the elements work together to convey the theme
Expression: How imaginatively the work conveys an idea or emotion, or incorporates a specific story.
What Prizes will be offered?
There will be eight categories of prize winners: 5-7 year olds, 8-10 year olds and 11-12 year olds, with special categories of Most Unusual Entry, Best Plant entry, Best Group-work Entry, Best Local Entry. First prizes will be awarded in all of those categories. A separate prize will be awarded for the best written explanation or story of the work. A number of Highly Commended awards will be given.
No cash prizes will be given. Prizes have included art equipment, gift vouchers for Westfield and Smiggle, books, and passes to Taronga Zoo and Featherdale Wildlife Park. All prize winners will have their work displayed in the exhibition.
There will be eight categories of prize winners: 5-7 year olds, 8-10 year olds and 11-12 year olds, with special categories of Most Unusual Entry, Best Plant entry, Best Group-work Entry, Best Local Entry. First prizes will be awarded in all of those categories. A separate prize will be awarded for the best written explanation or story of the work. A number of Highly Commended awards will be given.
No cash prizes will be given. Prizes have included art equipment, gift vouchers for Westfield and Smiggle, books, and passes to Taronga Zoo and Featherdale Wildlife Park. All prize winners will have their work displayed in the exhibition.
Who Supports the Competition?
A number of high profile organisations have lent their support to the competition.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR SUPPORTERS PAGE
A number of high profile organisations have lent their support to the competition.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR SUPPORTERS PAGE
