Challenge Community Services is excited to announce registrations for the 17th Annual Online Art Competition are now open. This much-loved competition celebrates the creative talents of people with disabilities, and children and young people living in out-of-home care.  

The theme for the 2024 competition is “Everyday Magic,” inviting artists to explore and celebrate the extraordinary moments embedded in everyday life. A total prize pool of $3,000 is available. Winners in each category will receive a $200 gift card. Additionally, a ‘People’s Choice’ winner will be determined in each category, also receiving a $200 gift card. Plus, this year, one lucky online voter also receives a $200 gift card.  

Entry is free and open to Australian residents. Eligible participants include people with a disability under the care of a disability service provider and children or young people (CYP) in out-of-home care.  

Naomi McCorkell, Executive Director of Disability Services at Challenge Community Services, highlights the creativity and quality of previous entries and looks forward to seeing this year’s interpretation of “Everyday Magic”:  

“Art provides a powerful medium for self-expression, and our competition offers participants a platform to showcase their creativity freely. Each year, we are impressed by the quality of entries and can’t wait to see what this year uncovers in this, our 17th annual competition.  

When life gets busy, we all have a tendency to rush through our days, but this year’s theme encourages our participants to slow down and visually represent the everyday magic that surrounds us.”  

Member for Tamworth and Shadow Minister for the Arts and Heritage, Kevin Anderson said the competition would uncover some outstanding hidden talents;   

“The Challenge Community Services art competition is an opportunity for people living with disability, and children and young people in out-of-home care to create an art piece that celebrates the very best part of their everyday lives,” Mr Anderson said.  

“For 17 years, this competition has provided artists from across Australia an avenue to express themselves, and I’m looking forward to seeing how artists will interpret the theme of ‘Everyday Magic’ as part of the competition.”  

Though Challenge Community Services started in Tamworth, the art competition has grown to showcase incredible talents from across Australia. We look forward to seeing how artists from all over Australia will interpret this year’s theme of ‘Everyday Magic’ and continue the legacy of inclusivity and creativity that this competition represents.”  

Entries are open now, and we encourage all eligible participants to showcase their creativity.