RTÉ’s ‘This Is Art!’ competition, supported by Creative Ireland and the Shared Island initiative, is calling on children on the island of Ireland to use their imaginations and embrace the outdoors, with This Is Nature! theme the focus for 2025.
The theme offers a blank canvas for budding creatives and young artists of all abilities to create whatever they can imagine. This year, participants are encouraged to seek the magic of nature, be it the outdoors, and the natural world around us, or the human form and the nature and behaviors of humankind. The competition promotes artistic practice among young people and encourages and supports creativity, originality and self-expression.
Young creators will be empowered to express themselves through whatever medium of art they prefer. A prize fund of €10,000 will provide awards and bursaries for winners across the five categories.
Now in its fifth year, this all-island competition is open across five categories and to all abilities:
• Age 7 and under
• Age 8 to 11
• Age 12 to 15
• Age 16 to 18
• Group category
A stellar panel of judges has been assembled for the all-Island competition, including renowned street artists Maser and Joe Caslin, award-winning fashion designer Helen Steele, Mary Conlon, Director of The Dock, and Seán Ronayne, a Cork-born ornithologist and wildlife sound-recordist.
How to enter
Create, snap and upload on rte.ie/thisisart by midnight Saturday 31 January 2026. Entry is free and further information on how to enter is available on rte.ie/thisisart.
This all-island competition is open to entries from young people aged 0-18 and accepts submissions in any and all forms, from paintings, drawings and sculptures to photography, digital art or even creating something using found or upcycled materials.
Last year's RTÉ ‘This Is Art!’ competition received over 3,000 entries from young artists aged 18 and under. If you or someone you know is a budding young artist and could bring to life the theme of This is Nature! invite them to get involved and start imagining their submission.
In addition to the €10,000 prize fund, Maser will design and create this year’s category winner trophies, making a bespoke piece of art for winners to treasure forever. The bursaries will empower young artists to develop their talent with additional education and training. Beyond the prizes, more than one hundred shortlisted entries will receive personal commendations and feedback from the judges on their work.
"I meet with talented artists daily in my role at The Dock and I look forward to seeing the entries for This Is Art! I would encourage young people to get involved and have fun with their creations." Mary Conlon, Director of The Dock