THE ART OF BEING
Calling all illustrators aged 12–18. Show us your interpretation of what it means to be human.
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
Established in 2015, the Northern Festival of Illustration is a biennial celebration of illustration and visual storytelling, based in Hartlepool. Showcasing established and emerging artists through exhibitions, workshops and events, the Festival champions creativity and inspires the next generation of illustrators.
For 2027, the Festival launches its Young Illustrators Prize for young people aged 12–18, inviting entries inspired by the theme ‘The Art of Being’. Celebrating the everyday wonder of being human, the competition encourages young artists to express their individuality, share their stories and showcase their creativity.
Being human is messy, spontaneous, curious and wonderful. It's found in the little things, the unexpected moments and the everyday experiences that make life uniquely yours. Whether it's a moment of joy, a burst of chaos or something completely unexpected, we want to see your interpretation of what it means to be human.
With £500 in cash prizes to be won, alongside exhibition opportunities and Festival gift bags, there’s plenty to inspire your imagination.
Guide to entering
- Who can enter? Young people aged 12–18.
- Theme: ‘The Art of Being’.
- Eligible work: Illustration and artwork featuring illustration, subject to the competition's eligibility rules.
- Formats: Still images, animation and animated GIFs, submitted digitally.
- Entry fee: Free.
PRIZES
£500 in cash prizes, plus Festival gift bags, certificates and exhibition opportunities to be won.
One overall winner
- £300 cash prize
- Opportunity to exhibit at the 2027 Festival of Illustration
- Northern Festival of Illustration gift bag and certificate
Two highly commended entries
- £100 cash prize each
- Opportunity to exhibit at the 2027 Festival of Illustration
- Northern Festival of Illustration gift bag and certificate
Up to 10 shortlisted entries
- Northern Festival of Illustration gift bag and Certificate
KEY DATES
- Call for entries opens: October 2026
- Submission deadline: 31 January 2027
- Shortlist announced: 1 March 2027
- Winners announced: 1 April 2027
HOW TO SUBMIT
Format your images:
Ensure you have chosen a high quality that shows off your work at its best. If your work is not already digital, we would recommend scanning the artwork or digitally photographing the project.
- Format: Save your file as a photo image either as a .jpg, .png, or .gif in RGB.
- Size: 72 or 150 dpi, under 5MB and up to 3000px wide.
- Print Ready Version Available on request: Please ensure you have a CMYK 300dpi minimum version of your artwork available on request.
- File Name: Name your file using the format artistname_titleofartwork and do not contain any special characters.
- Multiple Submissions: You may submit only 1 entry per person; however, you can enter a composite image by adding multiple images together if this is part of one project (i.e. a book cover and illustration of the same book).
- Originality and use of generative AI: All entries must be the entrant’s own original work. Entries must not copy or reproduce another artist’s work or infringe anyone else’s copyright. Standard digital art tools are permitted, but artwork which is AI-generated imagery or uses AI-generated elements is prohibited.
Gather the information:
Start your submission by opening the entry form.
- Title of Work: Choose a title for your project/submission. This could be a descriptive title, or something else, but keep this short and do not include your full name.
- Additional Information: This could include any additional information about the artwork, for example if medium or the reasons why you made the artwork, a challenge you set yourself or something about the process, for example what materials or technique did you use? Why did you create this work?
Share!
After all of that hard work, you might want to share it with others. If you have an artist social media account, or a school or college would like to tag us in any of the artworks, use @festivalofillustration, @thenorthernart and #youngillustratorprize
FAQs
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please read the terms and conditions before entering. You will be asked to agree them before you submit.
HOW DO I CONTACT THE ORGANISERS?
You can contact the organisers at foi@northernart.ac.uk and we usually reply within two to three working days.
WHO ARE THE JUDGES?
The FOI judges for the Young Illustrator Prize are experts in the illustration sector, chosen to represent the young illustrator prize for their knowledge and expertise, in addition to working with young people. There are 3 judges on the judging panel, to be announced on our socials.
WHAT ARE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR?
The judges are looking for well-presented illustrated project that encompass the theme of ‘The Art of Being..’ The submission should communicate its ideas or message, explore illustration as an artform, and of high quality.
PRIVACY & PUBLICATION
Entries must be submitted by a parent or guardian, or with their permission. We will use the information provided to administer the competition and contact winners.
Shortlisted artwork may be published on the Festival of Illustration website, social media channels and promotional materials. Winners will normally be credited using their first name and age only. We will not publish a child's full name without specific parent/guardian permission. By submitting an entry, the parent or guardian confirms that they have read and agreed to the competition's terms and conditions and the relevant privacy information.
ENTRY FORM
We will request your name in full and parent/guardian’s email address and telephone number.
AGE ELIGIBILITY
The entrant must be 12-18 when the work was created. Work submitted must be creating between 2026-27 responding to the theme.