Art competition for young people launched

A Liverpool-based inter-school art competition has launched their 11th annual art competition.

The competition, dot-art Schools, provides hundreds of children in the Liverpool City Region with the opportunity to develop their artistic side, have their skills recognised and envision a future career in the arts.

It is for students in Year 5 and Year 9.

Mr Dany Metz, teacher of overall primary winner Cleo James from Blackmoor Park Junior School, said: “It was wonderful to celebrate Cleo’s achievement with her.

“She worked so hard on it, and we’re thrilled that the judges recognised her creativity and talent.

“She says it inspired her to crack on and create more art.”

The annual competition ends with an awards ceremony and winners’ exhibition in Liverpool.

For most children, the exhibition is the first time they can show off to their creativity to their parents and peers.

This gives them the confidence and drive to continue making art.

Carolyn Murray, dot-art Schools project manager, said: “In 10 years of running this competition we’ve seen it go from strength to strength and the results speak for themselves. 

“Every year I have the privilege of seeing hundreds of happy children cheered on by their parents, guardians and teachers, giving them newfound confidence and encouraging them to carry on being creative. 

“It’s such an exciting opportunity for schools and it’s so easy to take part.”

As the leading project partner, Edge Hill is nationally renowned for high-quality teacher training, and has a long history of teaching education.

This goes all the way back to the university’s foundation in 1885.

The university provides dot-art with greater access to schools in the region.

Dr Helen O’Keefe, associate dean at Edge Hill in the faculty of education, said: “Our fantastic partnership with dot-art has helped to promote creativity and during the pandemic we saw how it could also promote good mental health in schools, two things that are key to our curriculum here at the university. 

“I’d encourage every school in the city region to try the competition and find out for themselves how much the children and teachers enjoy the experience.” 

The impact of the dot-art Schools programme has grown each year.

683 schools have participated, and 10,399 young artists having entered their artwork. 

To find out more about dot-art Schools, click here (link), or contact Carolyn Murray on 0345 017 6660 or Carolyn.murray@dot-art.com.  

Edge Hill University runs a number of courses in education and teacher training. Click here to find out more.