Art competition for Oxfordshire schoolchildren to return in 2026

Young Art Oxford will be back next year, giving children the chance to have their work judged by professional artists and displayed at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

The competition was paused for 2025 but will return following a new partnership with the Rafiki Thabo Foundation, an Oxfordshire-based charity.

The partnership has been announced by Paula Wallace, chair of Young Art Oxford, and Janet Hayes, director of Rafiki Thabo Foundation.

Children in Kenya supported by the Rafiki Thabo Foundation (Image: Adam Dickens for Taking Pictures; Changing Lives) The foundation supports access to education for vulnerable children in Kenya, Uganda, and Lesotho.

Many of these children are living with disabilities, with the foundation empowering them to transform their futures.

Ms Wallace said: “This is such a perfect partnership, truly cementing the Young Art Oxford ethos of children helping children.

“We know how much it means for children from a wide range of backgrounds to have this opportunity to enjoy art and help other children less fortunate than themselves and we are delighted that the competition will return in 2026.”

The competition is open to all schoolchildren in Oxfordshire from Reception to Year 9, including those in state, independent, and special educational needs schools, as well as those in home education.

A piece of artwork submitted to a previous Young Art Oxford competition (Image: Benedict Ramos) A piece of artwork submitted to a previous Young Art Oxford competition (Image: Benedict Ramos) First, second, and third prizes are awarded in each of the age categories at a prize winners’ ceremony on the first evening of the exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum.

In 2024, nearly 3,000 young people took part – a record number of entries.

The 2026 exhibition will be held on May 15 and 16, with the theme ‘Little Things That Matter’.

Funds will be raised through entry fees, donations, and sales of prints and merchandise, with all proceeds going to the Rafiki Thabo Foundation.

Donations can be made online through a Just Giving page.

Janne Pilbeam, events and partnerships manager at the Rafiki Thabo Foundation, said: “We want the children to know just how little it takes to help change someone’s life: each £2 per artwork entry fee can pay for a whole week of hot, nutritious school meals to one of the poorest children at our link school in Uganda.

“These children would otherwise go without a daily meal; thanks to the Young Art Oxford entrants they will have the energy to learn at school.”

Children in Kenya supported by the Rafiki Thabo Foundation (Image: Adam Dickens for Taking Pictures; Changing Lives) Young Art Oxford was founded in 2008 and says it has always operated on the principle of “children helping other children”.

Over the years, the competition has raised more than £150,000 for charities that support children.

Information on how to sign up a school or child is available on the Young Art Oxford website.