Sketch for Survival Junior (8-11 Years)
by Explorers Against Extinction
International wildlife art exhibition
International wildlife art competition by Explorers Against Extinction for children aged 8 to 11, with selected works exhibited at the charity's flagship conservation exhibition.
Mode
Online
Fee
Free
Duration
Single artwork submission; exhibition selection announced annually
Format
Individual
Time needed
Single artwork submission; entries accepted January through May (approximately 5 months)
Eligibility
- Age range
- 8 to 11 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Open to children aged 8 to 11 from any country. No prior art experience required.
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Rewards and recognition
Recognition
International exhibition by conservation charity
Key dates
- Registration opens
- 1 Jan 2027
- Registration closes
- 31 May 2027
- Competition
- 1 Sept 2027 to 30 Nov 2027
Longlist Announcement
Longlisted artists will be announced online and contacted with details for shipping original artwork to the UK. (IST)
Physical Artwork Shipping Deadline
Deadline for longlisted artists to ship their original physical artwork to Explorers Against Extinction HQ in Norfolk, UK. Allow ample time for international shipping. (IST)
Finalists Announcement
Up to 10 finalists in each age category will be announced online. (IST)
Online · Explorers Against Extinction Official Website
How to apply
- 1Create an original artwork of a threatened or endangered species on unframed paper in A4 or A3 format using any artistic medium
- 2Photograph the completed artwork with a smartphone or camera as a clear, in-focus JPEG image (max 5MB); rename the file with the artist's name and age
- 3Submit via the category-specific online entry form on the Explorers Against Extinction website when submissions open (typically January each year)
- 4Schools submitting multiple entries: email age-group folders as a compressed .zip file to schools@realworldconservation.org.uk or use WeTransfer for large files
- 5Longlisted artists are contacted in June and must arrange shipping of their original artwork to the charity in Norfolk, UK for final panel review
About this opportunity
Sketch for Survival Junior (8-11 Years) is an international wildlife art competition by Explorers Against Extinction for children aged 8 to 11 from any country. Young artists create original drawings, paintings, or sketches of threatened species or conservation themes and submit them digitally.
All entries are reviewed by a panel of award-winning wildlife artists and conservation trustees. The strongest artworks are longlisted, with longlisted artists invited to send their original physical pieces to the charity in Norfolk, UK for final panel review. Up to 10 finalists are selected for the flagship Sketch for Survival annual exhibition, attended by conservationists, educators, and the public. Remaining longlisted works receive a Highly Commended designation. Finalists receive printed certificates; all participants receive a digital participation certificate.
Participation is completely free with no restrictions on nationality, school type, or prior artistic experience, making it one of the few genuinely global competitions for this age group. Artwork must depict a species classified as Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, or Extinct in the Wild per the IUCN Red List, on paper in A4 or A3 format. All artistic mediums and styles are accepted. The competition runs annually with submissions typically open from January through May.
Rounds & format
Stage 1 (January to May): Artists submit digital JPEG images via the online entry form. A longlist is announced in June. Stage 2 (June to August): Longlisted artists ship their original physical artwork to the charity in Norfolk, UK. The selection panel of award-winning wildlife artists and trustees reviews the physical pieces and selects up to 10 finalists. Finalists are announced in September, followed by the exhibition tour and online auction running September through November.
How entries are judged
Artworks assessed on overall artistic merit and quality, conservation theme relevance, and adherence to subject and size guidelines. Initial online screening checks guideline compliance and artistic quality. Physical artworks reviewed by the panel at the charity's headquarters for final selection.
Selection process
Online submissions screened for adherence to size and subject guidelines, with the strongest artworks progressing to a longlist. Longlisted artists send original physical artwork to the charity. The panel of award-winning wildlife artists and founding trustees selects up to 10 finalists from the physical pieces. Remaining longlisted works receive a Highly Commended designation. Sophie Green, as head judge, makes the final award determinations.
Frequently asked questions
How do participants ensure their artwork meets the competition criteria?
Participants should create original artwork depicting a species from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The artwork must be on unframed A4 or A3 paper, and only one entry is permitted per artist. Detailed guidelines are available on the official competition page.
What are the benefits for students who participate in this competition?
Every participant receives a digital Certificate of Participation. Finalists have their original artwork exhibited at the flagship Sketch for Survival exhibition and receive a printed certificate, offering significant international recognition.
What is the process for schools wishing to submit multiple entries?
Schools can submit bulk entries by emailing artwork files, organized by age group, as a compressed.zip folder to schools@realworldconservation.org.uk. For large files, WeTransfer can be used. Contact the provided email for a schools information pack.
What happens to the submitted artwork after the competition?
All submitted artworks become the property of Explorers Against Extinction and will not be returned. Finalist artworks may be displayed at the annual conservation exhibition and auctioned online, with all proceeds supporting the charity's conservation fund.
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