World Youth Painting Competition
The 14th Youth World Cup Painting Competition
The World Youth Painting Competition is the first world-class youth painting event officially supported by UNICEF and is regarded as the “Olympics” of youth art. The first edition was launched in 2012 in Vancouver, Canada, and by 2025, thirteen editions have been successfully held.
The competition consists of a submission round and an on-site round, attracting over 100,000 participants each year from more than 50 countries and regions, including China, Canada, Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia. The event is strongly supported by the Governor General and Prime Minister of Canada, various consulates, artists, and media outlets.
The competition aims to build friendships among international youth, promote global cultural exchange, and fully develop and showcase the artistic talent of young participants. Additionally, it seeks to raise awareness about children in need, especially those affected by disasters, and encourage greater public participation and support.
14th World Youth Painting Competition – First Half-Year Submission
Submission Period: March 1 – May 30, 2026
The organizing committee invites young artists from around the world to use their brushes to depict the colors of the future and share visions of friendship, environmental protection, and dreams. We hope youth from across the globe will participate and showcase their talents in this international art celebration.
International Dignitaries’ Greetings
Speeches were given by:
- Zheng Yonghe, Chairman of the World Youth Painting Competition
- John Nsabimana, UNICEF Special Envoy
- Yang Shu, Consul General of China in Vancouver
- Wilson Miao & Parm Bains, Members of Canadian Parliament
- Zeng Zhi, Vice Consul of China in Vancouver
- Helen Gardner, Director of Communications and Protocol, Laos Consulate
- Svetlana Bardos, Competition Jury Representative
Competition Information
01. Hosts
- Organizers: World Youth Painting Competition Organizing Committee, Canadian Youth Art Development Foundation
- Co-Hosts: North American Artists Association, North American Calligraphy & Painting Research Institute
- Supported by: UNICEF
- Guidance: China Yellow River Culture & Economic Development Research Association
- Art Guidance: Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver Superstar Stage
- Organizing Company: Jiahe Zhonglian (Beijing) International Art Education Consulting Co., Ltd.
- Singapore Co-Organizer: TREE ART, Youth and Children Education Society Singapore
02. Agenda
- Registration Period: March 1 – May 30, 2026
- Judging Date: June 15, 2026
- Results Announcement: July 1, 2026
- Certificates Mailing: July 30, 2026
03. Age Groups
- A: Preschool – Ages 4–6
- B: Children – Ages 7–12
- C: Youth – Ages 13–17
- D: Young Adult – Ages 18–25
04. Themes
- Peace
- Hope
- Future
05. Requirements
Painting Category:
- Mediums: Pen, pencil, oil, acrylic, watercolor, any traditional or digital media
- Style: Realistic, abstract, or anime
- Size: 8K or 4K
Calligraphy Category:
- Medium: Soft brush or hard pen
- Size: Hard pen A4; soft brush 4-foot scroll, minimum 2 feet
06. Evaluation
- Criteria: Theme, creativity, technique, color, composition – each 20%
- Principles: Works must align with the theme, reflect age-appropriate expression, and demonstrate unique creative thinking. Youth are encouraged to express their true feelings.
- Awards: First, Second, Third, and Excellence Awards. All participants receive customized certificates, medals, and recommendation letters.
07. Procedures
- Competition Fee: 65 SGD (including GST)
- Registration: Available at any Tree Art campus
Notes:
- Intellectual property of submissions belongs to TREE ART International Pte. Ltd., the authorized Singapore co-organizer. Authors retain moral rights. TREE ART may use works for exhibitions, auctions, publicity, publishing, derivative products, etc., without compensation.
- TREE ART may use photos or videos of participants for promotion.
- Submissions must be original and not infringe third-party rights. Any legal responsibility lies with the participant.
- Fees are non-refundable.
- The final interpretation of the competition rules rests with the Organizing Committee and co-organizers.
About the Competition
The World Youth Painting Competition is the only international painting competition officially supported by UNICEF, with over 100,000 participants from 50+ countries. It is regarded as the pinnacle and “Olympics” of international youth art competitions.
Since 2012, the competition has been a platform for young artists to earn recommendation letters from UNICEF and other organizers, providing advantages for future university applications. Many past participants have been admitted to top institutions including Rhode Island School of Design, California Institute of the Arts, Maryland Institute College of Art, Harvard, Yale, University of Chicago, Boston University, NYU, University of Toronto, and UBC. Scholarships awarded range from $5,000 to $200,000.
The competition is also a charitable platform supporting UNICEF’s “School-in-a-Box” program, providing education facilities for 40 students per unit in disaster-affected regions. By 2025, the competition has donated 1,080 “tents schools,” helping 43,200 children access education.
世界杯青少年绘画大赛
The 14t Youth World Cup
Painting Competition
世界杯青少年绘画大赛，是由联合国儿童基金会首个官方支持的世界级青少年绘画艺术的盛会，被誉为青少年绘画艺术的“奥林匹克”。第一届大赛于2012年在加拿大温哥华启动，至2025年已成功举办十三届。大赛分为征集赛和现场赛，每年参赛选手超过100000名，参赛选手来自中国、加拿大、意大利、美国、英国、法国、俄罗斯等50多个国家和地区。大赛得到了加拿大总督、总理、各国领事馆、艺术家、媒体的大力支持。大赛旨在建立国际青少年之间的友谊，促进全球文化交流，充分开发和展示青少年的艺术素养与才华。此外，本次大赛也旨在引起社会各界对青少年儿童尤其是受灾儿童重返学校的了解与关注，鼓励更多人参与和支持。
关于我们/ABOUT US
世界杯青少年绘画大赛是联合国儿童基金会唯一官方支持的国际性绘画比赛，有50多个国家和地区的10万余名青少年参赛，是国际青少年大赛的“天花板”和“奥林匹克”。大赛得到了加拿大总督、总理、各国领事馆、艺术家、媒体和社会各界人士的大力支持与帮助。
The first edition of the competition was launched in Vancouver, Canada in 2012, and by 2025 thirteen editions had been successfully held. The competition consists of a submission round and an on-site round. Participants can obtain recommendation letters issued by UNICEF and the other organisers — an important advantage in future university applications. Over the years, many participants have gone on to enter world-renowned institutions such as the Rhode Island School of Design, the California Institute of the Arts, the Maryland Institute College of Art, Harvard University, Yale University, the University of Chicago, Boston University, New York University, the University of Toronto and UBC. Among past participants there has been a full-scholarship recipient at the Rhode Island School of Design, and scholarship winners at other renowned universities now number over one hundred in total, with scholarships of US$200,000, US$100,000 and US$50,000 respectively.
第一届大赛于2012年在加拿大温哥华启动，至2025年已成功举办十三届。大赛分为征集赛和现场比赛。参赛选手可以获得联合国儿童基金会等主办方开具的推荐信，是未来大学申请中的重要加分项。多年来，许多参赛选手因此考入罗德岛艺术学院、加州艺术学院、马里兰艺术学院、哈佛大学、耶鲁大学、芝加哥大学、波士顿大学、纽约大学、多伦多大学、UBC大学等世界名校。参赛选手中涌现了罗德岛设计学院全额奖学金获得者，其他名校的奖学金获得者累计上百位，所获奖学金20万、10万、5万美元不等。
The World Youth Painting Competition is not only a celebration of youth painting and art, but also a charitable platform devoted to good causes — a competition with a global public-welfare character. The purpose of the event is to raise funds for UNICEF's "School-in-a-Box" (tent school) programme, which provides educational facilities for forty students, equivalent to the scale of a small community school. All proceeds from the competition are donated to UNICEF to help children affected by disasters obtain essential health and education support. By 2025, the competition had donated 1,080 "tent schools", helping 43,200 children living in impoverished and war-torn regions gain access to education.
世界杯青少年绘画大赛，不只是青少年绘画艺术的盛会，更是乐善好施的公益平台，是带有全球公益属性的比赛。大赛的活动目的是为联合国儿童基金会的“School-in-a-Box”（帐篷学校）项目筹集资金，该项目为四十名学生提供教育设施，相当于一个小型社区学校的规模。大赛所有收益将捐赠给联合国儿童基金会，帮助受灾儿童获得必要的健康和教育支持。截至2025年大赛已经捐赠1080所“帐篷学校”、帮助43200名身处贫困战乱地区儿童获得受教育机会
