2025 Canada Youth Visual Art Contest

Age Groups:

Group A: age 5-8
Group B: age 9-12
Group C: age 13-17
Group D: age 18-23

Registration:

Feb – June 30, 2025
Open to everyone ages 5 – 23

Show your creativity!

There are no restrictions on the materials used to create the submissions, including but not limited to drawing, painting, illustration, cartooning, animation, short videos, photography, digital art, sculpture and installation art. Design pieces also qualify for submission, such as visual design, fashion design, interior design, user interaction design and architecture design, etc. Entries must align with the theme and be 100% original. Submitting AI-generated artwork is strictly prohibited. Participants may not forge, plagiarize, or violate copyright laws. Any violations will result in immediate disqualification.

The size of 2D work such as painting and design should be no smaller than 20×30 cm and no larger than 40×55 cm. The size of 3D work such as sculpture and installation should be within 60×60×60cm. All photos should be taken in high definition. Please pay attention to the light when shooting, so as not to include shadows on the submitted photos. Do not include irrelevant objects or backgrounds in the picture. All submissions of any medium should be no smaller than 1MB. Online submission only. Participants may only submit one artwork each.

Certificates, Awards, and Prizes

Prizes:

Grand Prize:
Winner Certificate, Exhibition Certificate, and CAD 500 each

Gold Award:
Winner Certificate, Exhibition Certificate, and CAD 100 each

Silver Award:
Winner Certificate, Exhibition Certificate, and CAD 50 each

Judging Panel:

The contest judging panel features a collaboration of national-level judges and university admissions officers from renowned institutions. In previous years, the expert panel has included members from Canada Council for the Arts; Deans, tenured professors, and admissions officers from institutions such as: University of British Columbia (UBC), School of Visual Arts (SVA), New York, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), Ringling College of Art and Design, Alberta University of the Arts, Academy of Modern Art (AOMA); Distinguished professional artists and industry leaders. This panel ensures the highest standards of evaluation for creativity, skill, and artistic vision.

Competition Jury:

Gu Xiong

Gu Xiong is a Professor of Department of Art History, Visual Art, and Theory at the University of British Columbia, was the judge of the National Arts Council of Canada and a multimedia China/Canadian Contemporary artist. His works have been collected by the National Gallery of Canada, the National Art Museum of China and many other museums and individuals, and he has received many commissions from the United States and Canada to create a number of public artworks.

Andrew McDermott

Andrew McDermott is an Eminent Pastelist of the International Association of Pastel Societies, as well as the past President and Senior member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. He continues to achieve top prizes at international art competitions and is a sought after judge for prestigious art competitions. Andrew has over twenty-years of teaching experience across local universities and academies, and serves as the Head Instructor at the Academy of Modern Art. 

Will Colpoys

Will Colpoys (he/they) is the admission officer at School of Visual Arts and an animator with a BFA in Animation from the School of Visual Arts. They grew up with one foot in rural Upstate New York and the other in Southwest Florida before following their dreams in the Big City. Will is always eager for the opportunity to connect with other up-and-coming artists. Will is excited to be a judge again for this year’s competition! 

Myron Campbell

Myron Campbell is a media artist, designer, and educator based in Canada. He works across interactive design, animation, and installation, with notable projects including work for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. A former Art Director at Switch United, he received the 2010 Canadian New Media Award for Best Interactive Designer. Campbell has exhibited his work internationally and has taught as an Associate Professor of Digital Media at UBC Okanagan.

Marcelyn Gow

Marcelyn Gow is the Undergraduate Programs Chair and a faculty member in design/history-theory at Southern California Institute of Architecture（SCI-Arc). She is also a partner at Servo Los Angeles.  Gow holds architecture degrees from the Architectural Association and Columbia University, as well as a Dr.Sc. from ETH Zurich. Her doctoral dissertation, Invisible Environment: Art, Architecture and a Systems Aesthetic, explores the relationship between aesthetic research and technological innovation. Gow has previously taught at ETH Zurich, UCLA Architecture and Urban Design, and the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

María Huerta-Cervantes

María Huerta-Cervantes is the Associate Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions at ArtCenter College of Design. With over a decade of experience in higher education, admissions, and community outreach, she is committed to helping young artists and designers achieve their creative and professional goals. María holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Princeton University and an Ed.M. in Higher Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has also mentored students through the UCLA Riordan College to Career Program and served as a Princeton alumni interviewer and chair of the Alumni Schools Committee for the Inland Empire region.

Post-Contest Activities:

A variety of post-competition activities are offered to broaden participants’ horizons, enhance their international experience, and further strengthen their personal profiles.

All participants are eligible to register for:

• Artwork Exhibition
• Art Tour
• Speaking opportunities at the Awards Ceremony
• Masterclass Art Workshops
• Face-to-face meetings with admissions officers from prestigious art schools
• Professionally curated solo exhibition

These certificates, awards, and activity experiences serve as valuable credentials for university applications.

Many past winners, through recommendations, have successfully gained admission to Ivy League schools and top international art institutions.

Canada Youth Visual Art Contest – Short Video Contest

Capture the heartbeat of your city, tell its untold stories, and ignite the light of art with your creativity! Whether it’s the bustling streets, the echoes of history, or your vision of the city’s future, use your lens to express your imagination and passion. Selected works will be featured on CYVAC and AOMA’s official platforms, with top creators earning recognition and prizes! Submit your video today and step onto the global stage of artistic expression.

Social Impact:

The contest has garnered strong support from government officials and various sectors of society. Over the years, the event has received significant attention and backing from the Prime Minister of Canada, Members of Parliament, Provincial Premiers, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office of British Columbia, provincial and municipal governments, mayors, and multiple foreign consulates in Vancouver. Additionally, leaders from community organizations, business sectors, and mainstream media have actively shown their support through congratulatory videos, letters of recognition, or by attending the award ceremonies in person.

Contest and Charity:

Igniting Dreams Through Art, Giving Back to Society Through Art

Over the past few years, the competition has raised over $50,000 CAD for charitable organizations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, and the Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital Foundation.

In 2025, CYVAC will continue to unite children and youth worldwide through the power of art, working together to support charitable causes, create value, and give back to society!