ART COMPETITION 2023

Registration for the 2023 Credit Union Art Competition is now open. The competition, now in its 40th year, is one of the most prominent and longest-running competitions of its type.

The theme for our 2023 Art Competition is 'My Community & Me'. 

We'd like entrants to consider their local community and their place within in. What is it that makes their community different?  Is it the people within it? Is it the beauty they see every day?

This year’s theme gives participants the opportunity to present their own interpretation of what their community means to them.

The competition invites participants to create artworks that depict the theme and explore through their own unique lens the beauty and wonder of their Community and portray that on paper or canvass.

As we are embracing a greener and sustainable world, this year, to ensure this competition keeps up with this, we are aiming to reduce the amount of paper used. For this reason, we have developed all art material in a digital format, which can be placed on credit union websites, emailed to schools and shared on social media. These digital copies are editable, meaning there is no requirement for printing large volumes of entry forms.

The closing date to submit completed entries to BCU is Monday, 16th October 2023 at 4pm.

How to Enter

THE THEME OF THIS YEARS COMPETITION IS: My COMMUNITY & Me

1. As this is an Art Competition, there is no need for the artist to illustrate the text of the theme on the art piece. What we are looking for is how they interpret the theme through their art.

2. All entries must be submitted in either A3 (420 x 297mm) or A2 (594 x 420mm) and in landscape orientation. Other sizes and portrait oriented entries will be disqualified from adjudication.

3. Winners of each category (at the national level) will be used in the annual credit union calendar with all national prize recipients listed on the inside of the cover of the calendar

Download Download Art Competition 2023 Entry Form (1022.6kb)

How the Competition Works

The competition seeks to encourage young artists to draw or paint on this year’s theme,

using pencil, charcoal, pen or ink, felt-tip markers, crayon, pastel, water colours, gouache,

acrylics, oils, poster colour or collage.

Entrants may only submit one entry and it must be accompanied by a fully completed entry

form and returned by the notified closing date.

Categories

There are two categories - General Category & Additional Needs Category - with the

following age groups in each category:

Age limit applying as at December 31st 2023

• 7 years and under
• 8 - 10 years inclusive
• 11 - 13 years inclusive
• 14 - 17 years inclusive
• 18 years and over (Adult)

Proof of year of birth may be requested by the credit union.

The Additional Needs Category allows participants with a physical or intellectual disability

to be actively encouraged by their teachers to submit entries in free expression painting or

drawing, without the restrictions of the competition’s official theme (should they so wish).

There is a separate section for group entries in the Additional Needs Category only, where

they will need to tick the box if submitting a group entry.

Entries for the Additional Needs Category and those under 18 years will require the

signature of a parent or legal guardian to declare the work is the unaided effort of the

entrants. Entrants will need to tick a box to declare the work is their unaided effort or the

unaided effort of the entrants.

If less than five entries are received in any one category, credit unions have the option not

to judge that category.

Competition Stages

The three stages of the competition to be judged no later than:

LEVEL CLOSING DATE

STAGE 1 Credit Union level Friday 20th October 2023.

STAGE 2 Chapter level Friday 17th November 2023.

STAGE 3 National level Wednesday 6th December 2023.

Formats

All entries must be submitted in either A3 (420 x 297mm) or A2 (594 x 420mm) and in landscape orientation. Portrait oriented entries will be disqualified from adjudication. Entries not fulfilling these criteria must be deemed disqualified and must not be forwarded for adjudication at any level.

FAQ’s

How do I get an entry form?

The Art Competition 2023 Entry Form digital copies are editable, meaning there is no requirement for printing large volumes of entry forms.

It can be downloaded by clicking this link Download Download Art Competition 2023 Entry Form (1022.6kb), or for any issues email schools@ballycastlecu.com

When is the closing date?

For stage 1, the closing date is Monday, 16th October 2023 at 4pm.

Who can enter the credit union art competition?

Anyone can enter the Credit Union Art Competition! All ages and all abilities are welcome to submit an entry to the competition. The Credit Union Art Competition consists of two categories. The General Category and the Additional Needs Category, entries to the Additional Needs Category are invited from children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. Entrants in this category can enter the competition free of the theme if they wish.

What art materials can be used?

Entries to the Credit Union Art Competition can be drawn or painted in pencil, charcoal, pen or ink, felt-tip markers, crayon, pastel, water colours, gouache, acrylics, oils, poster colour or collage. Prints done from a lino block, wood block or any other method may also be submitted. No computer aided design (CAD) may be entered. No pieces of art under glass, as we cannot be responsible for its safe return.

Can I enter more than once?

Entrants to the Credit Union Art Competition may only enter the competition once in any given year.

When will winners be notified?

Winners of the Credit Union Art Competition will be notified by the credit union in which their entry came through. This will be done after the closing date of each stage.

Can I enter through my school/Independent of my school?

Entries to the Credit Union Art Competition can be done through your school or simply by popping in to any of our four branch offices to pick up an entry form.

How will the pieces be judged?

Judging will take place at each stage of the competition. In the early stages of the competition, the competition is judged locally by Ballycastle Credit Union, we enlist the help of local artists and professionals to help in the judging process.

The National Final staged it judged by well-known artists who have year of experience interpreting art from all ages and abilities. They look for creativity, flair and that special something. Their eagle eyes allow them to interpret every piece of art they encounter and step inside the thought process of the artists.

Stephen Doyle, a judge of the National Final 2020, was once an entrant of the Credit Union Art Competition. He went on to be shortlisted for the prestigious Zurich Portrait Prize in the National Gallery of Ireland.

What is the prize/what do you get if you win?

Throughout the three stages, successful artists will receive a prize from their respective local and regional sections. Winners of the National Final stage will receive a cash prize, which is presented at a National Ceremony in February. As well as the prizes on offer, the Credit Union Art Competition offers exposure for artists of all ages. Winning entries at national level form part of the credit union calendar, which is disseminated to all credit unions across Ireland for their members to enjoy!

This free art competition provides a platform for artist to have their work seen by the public eye. With over 30,000 entries each year, the Credit Union Art Competition is a highly sought-after competition to be a part of.

Is it a free to enter?

The credit union art competition is a free Irish art competition open to all ages and abilities.

If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us, please call 028 207 62188 alternatively email schools@ballycastlecu.com