Frequently Asked Questions: Art Competition – Courage, Hope and Love in the time of a pandemic

1) Who can participate in this competition?

Participants from the age of 7 to 18 can participate. They are to join the Children group (7-11 years old) or Youth group (12-18 years old) based on their age at the time of entry submission

There are no limitations to nationality. Participants may be holding Singapore citizenship, PR or student visa. However, they must be currently residing in Singapore. (Participants are required to provide a local contact number)

2) What are the judging criteria?The artwork will be judged based on three main considerations – relevance to the theme and creative use of ideas and concept (60%), artistic technique and quality (30%), and overall artistic presentation (10%). The artworks will be graded and ranked according to these three criteria.
3) What is the theme of the competition?

The theme of the competition is “Courage, Hope and Love in the time of a pandemic”. We would like to invite children and youths to reflect on the past year of the new normal and ask themselves if they have experienced any acts or moments of courage, hope and love in their daily lives. These could be personal encounters, lived experiences of closed family and friends, everyday observations, stories and moments.

Participants need to produce an original artwork on his/her own in accordance with the competition theme. Any plagiarism of existing artwork or direct rendering of photographs will not be permitted. 

4) When will registration begin and when will registration close?Registration is open from 15 April 2021, 12pm to 30 October 2021, 12pm. No registration will be accepted from 12:01pm 30 October 2021.
5) How do we register?

To register for this art competition, the participant is required to fill in their information and make payment online for the registration fee ($18). 

An email of confirmation will be sent to participants who have successfully registered within a week.

6) When will submission close?Participants’ artworks may be submitted from 12pm 30 August 2021 to 12pm 30 October 2021. No submissions will be accepted from 12:01pm 30 October 2021 onwards.
7) What is the submission process?

To submit the artwork entry for this art competition, the participant is required to fill in Artwork Submission Form online and upload one to two images of the artwork (the image file should be saved as Last Name, First Name, Middle Name (optional), Title of Artwork). For example, the artwork image should be saved as “Chen_Amanda_YingYing_United”.

Upon successful submission, participants will receive an email of confirmation.

8) Are there any requirements specific to the size of the artwork?Participants are to submit an original artwork of any size between 21cm height/length and not more than 60cm height/length. For example, the artwork may be 30cm (H) x 40cm (L).
9) Are there any restrictions on medium?Participants may use any art mediums – pencil, colour pencil, graphite, charcoal, pen, markers, acrylic paint, oil paint, watercolour paint, poster paint, Chinese ink etc. Participants may combine and use multiple mediums. The artwork should be created on a piece of paper/watercolour paper/rice paper/canvas.
10) What are the prizes for this competition?

The following awards will be given to each category (Group A – Children 7-11 Years  & Group B – Youth 12-18 Years):

1st Prize (1 recipient): $1,500 cash reward + $288 worth of gift voucher + $300 gift hamper

2nd Prize (1 recipient): $1,000 cash reward + $288 worth of gift voucher + $300 gift hamper

3rd Prize (1 recipient): $500 + $288 worth of gift voucher + $300 gift hamper

Artistic Excellence Award (30 recipients): $100 worth of gift vouchers and goodie bags

Important Terms and Conditions:

The artwork should be an original work produced solely by the participant for this art competition. The artwork should be produced from 30 April 2021 to 30 October 2021.

The participant may freely express their artistic creativity in response to the art competition. The created artwork should adhere to the theme of the art competition and submissions which are irrelevant to the theme may not be considered. The artwork should be an original work and not a copy from an existing photograph or artwork. Hence, a participant may be forfeited if the artwork is found to be a direct reproduction of an existing photograph or artwork.

Participants must ensure that their artwork is ready for presentation and exhibition as all thirty artistic excellence award winners and top three prize winners will be called to submit the artworks for the exhibition and prize award ceremony in Dec 2021. Participants who fail to submit their artworks will be forfeited.

Media / Public Relations Contact

Visual Arts Centre Address

Dhoby Ghaut Studio:    10 Penang Road 01-02, Dhoby Ghaut Green, Singapore 238469

MacPherson Studio:     140 Paya Lebar Road 03-04 AZ @ Paya Lebar, Singapore 409015

For the competition information page and for signing up for the competition, please click here

For enquiries, please contact vac.artcompetition@gmail.com

Foundation In Digital Art

Embark on a captivating journey into the vibrant world of digital art! Our Foundation in Digital Art workshop invites budding creatives aged nine and above to unleash their imagination and hone their artistic skills in a dynamic, supportive environment. From mastering basic digital tools to crafting mesmerizing digital masterpieces, children will explore a spectrum of techniques guided by seasoned mentors. Through hands-on activities and interactive sessions, participants will discover the endless possibilities of digital expression while fostering creativity and critical thinking. Join us for an exhilarating adventure where young artists transform ideas into stunning visual realities, igniting a passion for digital art

Colour & Texture Exploration With Acrylic Painting & Collage

Prepare to unleash your inner artist in a kaleidoscope of color and creativity with ‘Colour Blast: Acrylic Painting & Collage Techniques’! Dive into a whirlwind adventure where vibrant hues and mesmerizing textures collide in a symphony of imagination. From mastering the art of seamless color blending to discovering the magic of mixed media collage, this journey is a playground for your artistic soul. With each brushstroke, explore new techniques that breathe life into your canvas, transforming it into a vibrant tapestry of expression. Join us and let your creativity run wild as you embark on this colorful escapade!”

World of Manga [Foundation & Styling]

A manga art workshop for children and teenagers sounds like a fantastic idea! Here’s how you might structure it:
Introduction to Manga: Begin by introducing what manga is, its history, and its influence on popular culture worldwide. Show examples of different manga styles and genres to give participants an overview.
Basic Drawing Techniques: Start with the fundamentals of drawing, such as line work, shapes, and proportions. Provide step-by-step instructions on how to draw basic manga characters, focusing on simple shapes that can be built upon.
Character Design: Move on to character design concepts, including creating unique characters, designing their personalities, and developing backstories. Encourage participants to get creative and think outside the box.
Expression and Emotion: Teach how to convey emotions and expressions through facial expressions, body language, and positioning of characters. This can be a fun and interactive exercise where participants practice drawing various emotions.
Storytelling and Paneling: Explore the basics of storytelling in manga, including paneling techniques, pacing, and layout. Show examples of different panel structures and discuss how they affect the flow of the story.
Inking and Coloring: Introduce participants to inking techniques using pens or markers. You can also cover digital inking for those interested. Then, demonstrate basic coloring techniques using markers, colored pencils, or digital software.
Feedback and Collaboration: Provide opportunities for participants to share their work and receive feedback from their peers and instructors. Encourage collaboration by having them work together on short manga projects or collaborative drawings.
Final Showcase: End the workshop with a showcase of participants’ work. This could be in the form of an exhibition, digital gallery, or printed booklet. Celebrate everyone’s creativity and progress throughout the workshop.
Remember to create a supportive and encouraging environment where participants feel free to express themselves and explore their creativity. And don’t forget to have fun! Manga is all about imagination and passion, so let that spirit shine through in your workshop.

Academy Drawing Traditions

The academy drawing and sketching tradition, rooted in centuries of artistic practice, emphasizes disciplined study of form, proportion, and technique. Originating from Renaissance workshops and formalized by institutions like the Royal Academy, it prioritizes meticulous observation and mastery of fundamental skills. Students progress from basic exercises to complex compositions, learning to depict still life and common objects with precision and expression. This tradition values both classical principles and innovation, encouraging artists to push boundaries while maintaining a deep respect for tradition. Through rigorous training and critique, artists within this tradition cultivate a strong foundation for creative exploration and artistic excellence.

Chinese Ink Painting and Calligraphy

This course on Chinese ink painting and calligraphy introduces young learners to the rich traditions of Chinese art. Through hands-on activities, students explore the basics of brush techniques, ink control, and the delicate art of Chinese script. They learn to appreciate the cultural significance of calligraphy and painting, developing skills in creating elegant strokes and expressive brushwork. The course fosters creativity, patience, and fine motor skills, while also providing insights into Chinese history and aesthetics. By the end, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and a deeper understanding of Chinese cultural heritage.

Funk with Graffiti

Funk With Graffiti Workshop for children is an engaging and creative program aimed at introducing young artists to the vibrant world of graffiti and funk-inspired street style art. Participants learn the basics of graffiti history, techniques, and safety. Guided by professional graffiti artists, children explore the art of designing their unique tags, emphasizing creativity, expression, and individuality. The workshop includes hands-on activities, from sketching concepts to creating final designs with spray paint on provided surfaces. By the end of the session, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and an appreciation for graffiti and funk as legitimate forms of street art. Each child completes two original artworks, which they proudly take home, showcasing their newfound skills and personal style.

Batik Tales

In the Batik Introduction Handkerchief Painting workshop, participants will learn the traditional art of batik, a wax-resist dyeing technique originating from Indonesia. The workshop begins with a brief history and overview of batik, highlighting its cultural significance and various techniques. Participants will then observe a demonstration of applying wax with tjanting tools and dyeing the fabric. Following the demonstration, each participant will design and create their own batik handkerchief, applying wax to create patterns and then dyeing their fabric. The workshop concludes with a group discussion, allowing participants to share their creations and reflect on their learning experience.