International CHILDREN’s Painting Competition

 OCtober 2025

The Canadian Children’s Art Foundation is excited to launch its First International Painting Competition entitled “If I could Fly”!

This year’s theme invites young artists from around the world to dream beyond boundaries and soar into the skies of creativity. Whether it’s gliding with birds, dancing with clouds, visiting distant lands, or exploring magical realms — what would the world look like if you could fly? 

Would you travel above the mountains and oceans? Discover hidden cities in the clouds? Fly with dragons, butterflies, or even a spaceship of your own design?

We encourage children to explore their wildest dreams, express their emotions, and tell their stories through colors and brushstrokes. This theme celebrates freedom, imagination, and the beauty of seeing the world from new perspectives.

Suggested Prompts (but not required):

• Where would you go if you could fly?

• Who or what would fly with you?

• What do the skies look like in your dream world?

• What adventures would you have if you could fly across the world in one day?

• Would you fly to a real place on Earth, or to an imaginary land of your own creation?

• How would you help others if you had the power to fly?

The entries will be evaluated in three age group:

• Age group A: 4-8

• Age group B: 9-12

Artwork will be juried by a distinguished panel of judges who are experts in their field and based on artistic talent, creativity and originality. 

The Canadian Children’s Art Foundation will reward the top 3 participants in every age group.

All final art pieces selected, including those of the winners, will have their works professionally published in Exhibition’s book, entitled “If I could Fly” available on amazon to buy.

GENERAL REGULATIONS:

WHAT:

The Canadian Children’s Art Foundation 2025 International Painting Children’s Painting Competition, "If I could Fly"

WHO:

Open to all students across Canada from the ages of 4 to 12.

WHEN:

The competition submission is open now and it will be closed by October 17th, 2025. The reception Gala will be held in November 1st  to celebrate the children’s paintings. The exhibition will be open on November14th, 2025 from Monday to Friday, 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

WHERE:

Submissions are to be mailed to The Canadian Children’s Art Foundation # 6 -109 Vanderhoof Avenue, Canada, Toronto, ON, M4G 2H7.

At the time of competition closing, all the works will be judged by a panel of jurors consisting of renowned professional artists on the week of October 20th, 2025 for the course of one week. Submissions will not only be judged on artistic talent, but also on creativity and originality. Once the judges have made their decisions, CCAF will organize the art and publish Canadian Children’s Painting Competition’s book, also entitled If I could Fly, with each winner receiving a page recognition.

The exhibition will be held in the Canadian Contemporary School of Art gallery, located at Unit 6 - 109 Vanderhoof Avenue, Toronto, On, M4G 2H7.

Judging Criteria

Our international panel of artists, educators, and museum professionals will evaluate artworks based on:

• Creativity & Originality:

  How imaginative and unique the idea is.

• Artistic Expression:

  How well the child conveys emotions, ideas, or stories.

• Relevance to Theme:

  How the artwork reflects “If I Could Fly”.

• Composition & Use of Color:

  Artistic skills and visual impact.

  After careful review, the jury will select between 20–50 outstanding artworks to be showcased in the international exhibition.

Prizes and Recognition

The “Nahal Bahrman Global Young Artist Prize“

This is a very special prize, chosen by Nahal Bahrman, the founder of Canadian Children's art foundation.

One child (ages 4–12) will receive this award for creating a painting that shows amazing imagination, creativity, or a magical story. It doesn’t have to be the “best” painting — it just needs to shine with originality and heart!

The winner will get: 

• A personal letter of congratulations

• A special feature on the competition website

• Their artwork is shown in a special spotlight in the exhibition

• Certificate of The “Nahal Bahrman Global Young Artist Prize" 

• A small $100 USA meant to buy art materials, books, or museum tickets, with parental guidance.

This award is a way to celebrate children who dream big, paint freely, and use their art to share their wonderful ideas with the world.

Important Dates:

• Submission Opens:

  September  1, 2025

• Submission Deadline:

  October 17, 2025

• Winners Announced:

  October 27, 2025

• Exhibition Opening:

  November 1, 2025

How to Enter:

1. Complete and print the entry form (available on our website).

2. Mail your artwork to the Canadian Contemporary School of Art, #6-109 Vanderhoof Ave. Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M2P 1G7 

3. Submit before the deadline: October 17, 2025

Submission Guidelines

• Number of Artworks:

  The number of artworks accepted is one per child.

• Medium:  

  Any painting or drawing medium (watercolor, acrylic, oil, gouache, mixed media, crayons, markers, etc

• Size:  

  Artwork is acceptable in maximum Maximum A3 (11.7 x 16.5 inches) , horizontal or vertical

• Original Work Only: 

  The painting must be the child’s original creation (no tracing, no AI-generated work, no parental alterations).

Artworks must be mailed to Canadian Contemporary School of Art by October 17th, 2025 or be delivered to the school in person to be considered.

Each candidate must complete the submission form and send it to the school with the artwork.