The aim of the Awards for Young Writers and Artists is to encourage young people to engage in visual arts and creative writing, to celebrate their creativity and originality. This year, each young artist and writer is invited to create a work of art or write a poem, short story or report on the theme of ‘Celebrations!’.
The competition is open to all children living in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, aged 4 to 16 on 31st August 2023. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, entry to the competition is free, with prizes awarded in each category.
The challenge is to produce an original picture, poem, short story, or piece of factual writing. Responses can focus on any aspect of the theme Celebrations! Writing or artwork could celebrate a special event, a special person or a special aspect of the natural world. But equally, your entry could be a celebration of something else. We want the theme to work for you, and therefore for you to have scope to draw or write about a real or imaginary celebration. Please read the rules for full detail.
Each year we receive lots of entries and our judges – writers, artists and teachers – look at each one carefully. The main feedback from previous years, is that the best stories go beyond description. There is a setting, one or more characters, something happens and there’s a sense of an ending. The standout poems have something unique and passionately expressed in a carefully crafted manner and the best reports convey personal and unique observations, thoughts and explanations. We would encourage writers to think about the audience they are addressing and the intended reaction or outcome they are hoping for. The best art stands out include colour, technique, subject or use of space. Anything is possible!
If you have any questions relating to the awards, please email angela@foweyfestival.com
Key Dates:
Launch date: January 9th, 2023
Final entry date: March 15th, 2023
Announcing results: April 17th, 2023
Awards celebration event: April 29th, 2023
Rules and Entry Forms
Please download the following documents:
With heartfelt thanks
- To Helen Williams, for providing us with the wonderful and inspirational drawing ‘Celebrations!‘. Each year, Helen takes part in the Festival Art Trail, where her wonderful work can be viewed.
- To all schools, teachers, and families for their continuing support.
- To the generosity of our sponsors: Waterstones, the Atishoo Gallery in Charlestown, the Fowey River Gallery, The Arts Society, Bodmin, and The Fowey Hall Hotel.
- To all our judging panels for their time and expertise.
