Creative Competition - Dreaming and Doing

Dreaming & Doing | Creative Competition 2026

For this year’s creative competition, you're invited to submit an original and powerful piece of art in the materials and style of your choice, that reflects this year's theme:

Dreaming and Doing: A Voyage into Creativity  

Bring your creative dreams to life! We’re inviting you to create an original piece of art or creative work inspired by your own creative journey - whether it’s shaped by a person, place, experience or pure imagination.  

Dream it, make it, and share it! Your work could win prizes, and get a spot in our national and online exhibitions. 

Deadline: 31 March 2026, 5pm (UK time). 

Get creative – and best of luck!  

    Competition details

    Create an original piece based on this year’s theme using any materials or media you choose.

    This can include, but is not limited to, pastels, colouring pencils, oil paint, textiles, watercolour paint, chalk, pen and ink, ceramics, textiles, photography, animation, video (no more than three minutes in length) or digital work made with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Procreate and more.

    The deadline for all entries is 31 March 2026, 5pm (UK time). 

    Who can enter?

    We will accept competition entries from the groups below:

    • Year 9 and 10 (UK schools only)
    • UK entrants age 16+
    • International entrants age 16+

    Click below for details on your category:

    • Submit entries by post (size limits apply) or by email (PDF, PNG or JPEG at 300 dpi). See How to Submit Your Entry for more information. 

    • Please request artwork returns by 31 July 2026. After this time we can’t guarantee works are returned. 

    • Submit entries by post (size limits apply) or by email (PDF, PNG, JPEG at 300 dpi). See How to Submit Your Entry for more information. 

    • Please request artwork returns by 31 July 2026. After this time we can’t guarantee works are returned. 

    Still need help? Check out our FAQs. 

    • Submit digital work only via email to creativecompetition@falmouth.ac.uk

    • You can submit entries as PDF, PNG or JPEG at 300 dpi. Please note we cannot accept physical entries by post from outside the UK.

    • Deadline for entries 31 March 2026, 5pm (UK time) 

    Still need help? Check out our FAQs. 

    Prizes

    Prizes available for each category include: 

    • One winner: £250 of art materials or equipment in your chosen discipline 

    • Two runners-up: £100 of Falmouth art supplies 

    • Highly commended: A Falmouth goody bag worth £25 

    Additionally, schools registered with our eligible local Outreach Programme will also receive £250 in art resources if their student wins.  

    Exhibitions 

    Winning entries will be showcased at Falmouth University’s Graduate Showcase and Community Day in May 2026, followed by an exhibition of all entries later in the year. 


    All entries will also be displayed in an online exhibition. 

    How will I know if I win?

    Winners will be notified by email no later than 18 May 2026.  

    If you haven’t heard from us by this date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. 

    How to Submit Your Entry

    Digital entries (UK and International) 

    Email your entry to creativecompetition@falmouth.ac.uk 

    Include the subject Line: Dreaming and Doing / (Your Name) / (Your School)

    Physical postal entries (UK only) 

    Send to: 

    Dreaming and Doing 

    Outreach Team, Falmouth University 

    Rosehill Reception 

    Woodlane, Falmouth 

    Cornwall, TR11 4RH 

    Physical entries must not exceed Royal Mail Medium Parcel size (61 cm × 46 cm × 46 cm, max 20 kg). Make sure it’s packed safely - we cannot take responsibility for any costs or damage in transit.

    For all entries, both postal and digital, include your: 

    • Full name 

    • Date of birth 

    • School or college name 

    • Year group 

    • Display instructions (if needed) 

    If you’re emailing us, put all that information in your email. If you're posting your entry, attach a secure label to the back or underside of your work (not on the front). 

    Terms & conditions

    • One entry per person 

    • Your work must be 100% original - no AI-generated art, no copying from your mates. 

    • Year 9 and 10 entrants must be enrolled in a registered school as part of a group submission 

    • Stick to formats, deadlines, and all instructions outlined here and in our Terms and Conditions, otherwise we’ll have to disqualify your work. 

    • All entries must be suitable for a school audience. 

    • Judges’ decisions are final. 

    • Winning entries will be informed by 18 May 2026. 

    • Prizes must be claimed by 31 July 2026. 

    Download our full Terms & Conditions below

    Support

    If you have any questions about the challenge, or simply need a little inspiration or guidance, then please see our FAQs. You can learn more about how to best approach the challenge, as well as getting some hints and tips.   

    You can email us with any queries at creativecompetition@falmouth.ac.uk  

    FAQs