Art From The Heart: Young Artist Contest - Art Reception Gallery!

Calling all young artists between the ages of 6– 18! Anti-Cruelty's annual youth art contest is back, and we want you to submit your animal-themed artwork for the chance to win a prize. Review the details below for important dates, contest theme, regulations, and more. We hope to see you (and your art) soon!
 

Theme: Animals In Motion

This year we are challenging our young artists to celebrate the dynamic worlds of our furry, feathered, and scaly friends. Examine the behaviors and motivations of the animals around you and capture their energy, frustration, joy, and more as they engage with their environments and beyond.

Looking for some animal inspiration to get started? Check out the available animals on our Adoption Page!
 

Details

Artist age range: students ages 6 – 18

Registrations and Submissions Open: Monday January 17, 2024

Submission Deadline: Wednesday March 26 at 4pm

Art reception gallery: Saturday April 5, 2025

How to Participate:

1.  Register as an Art from the Heart artist
2. Create your masterpiece
3. Submit your artwork using the guidelines below before the deadline

Artwork Size Guide

Size limits:

Minimum: 6x8"

Maximum: 9x12" 

Media:

You can create in any 2D medium that you like such as:

• Pencils
• Pens
• Crayons
• Markers
• Chalk or charcoal
• Paint
• Digital illustration (e.g. Photoshop, Procreate, Krita, Autodesk SketchBook, etc.)  

Sculpture and video will not be accepted. If you have any questions about the media guidelines, please contact Learn@anticruelty.org.
 

Submission Instructions:

Physical Media

If the art is physical (created on paper or canvas), artists can either mail or drop off at the River North location. Please include a note with your full name, email address, the title of your piece, and a brief description of your work (medium used, summary of content) along with your art. Email Learn@anticruelty.org with the same information to confirm that you dropped off your piece.

Anti-Cruelty

Attn: Experiential Learning Team

157 W. Grand Ave.

Chicago, IL 60654  
 

Digital Media

If the art is digitally created, please email the file to Learn@anticruelty.org in one of the following formats: JPEG, PNG, or PDF. In the body of your email, please include your full name, email address, the title of your piece, and a brief description of your work. Our staff will make a print of the art to be displayed.

Art Exhibition and Contest

All registered artists who have submitted their work before the deadline will be invited to attend a gallery and reception. This event will be a chance for participants to meet the other artists and see other submissions. This will also be when the submitted pieces are reviewed by the judges, and when prizes will be awarded!  

Age brackets and prizes: 

• Elementary school age bracket (ages 6 – 9): $100 
• Middle school age bracket (ages 10 – 13): $200 
• High school age bracket (ages 14 – 18): $300 
• Best in Show: $350 
   

Disclaimer and restrictions for artists and artwork:

Anti-Cruelty reserves the right to use photos and depictions of submitted artwork for promotional, fundraising, and marketing purposes. By participating in Art from the Heart, artists understand that they will not be compensated for the use of their submitted artwork by Anti-Cruelty. After the conclusion of the Art from the Heart Art Exhibition, any unclaimed artwork after 3 weeks will be determined property of Anti-Cruelty.

Submitted art will be disqualified if it:  

• Depicts violence and/or profanity of any kind
• Depicts content which may appropriate or exploit a people or culture
• Depicts content clearly irrelevant to the theme
• Is submitted without any way to identify the artist (no name, email address)
• If the artist resides outside of the Chicagoland Community

Interested in becoming a sponsor for Art from the Heart? To learn more about sponsoring this event, view our Sponsorship Packet.