RT , Creative Ireland and Shared Island Initiative ask young artists
to respond to the 2026 theme: This Is Us!', with 10,000 prize fund
RT This Is Art! supported by Creative Ireland in partnership with the Government's Shared Island Initiative, launched today at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), calling on imaginative children and young people across the island of Ireland in four age categories (Age 7 and under, Age 8 to 11, Age 12 to 15, Age 16 to 18), and a category for group entrants to get creative too. A prize fund of 10,000 will provide awards and bursaries for winners across the five categories. Young creators are free to express themselves through whatever medium of art they prefer, from drawing to painting, sculpture to fashion, and even photography. More details on rte.ie/thisisart
Entrants are asked to find inspiration through the 2026 theme This is Us!' The theme offers a broad canvas for budding creatives and young artists of all abilities to create whatever they can imagine. Inviting entrants to explore what people, relationships and belonging mean to us, celebrating the people we love, the places we belong and the moments we share.
Four champions of youth creativity from across the island of Ireland and beyond have come together to form the 2026 judging panel, bringing perspectives from art, illustration, television, education and museums. Cork-born comic book artist and TV presenter Will Sliney, Singaporean-Irish, Dublin-based illustrator and muralist Holly Pereira, Australian-born, Dublin-based artist and educator Barbara Kne evi , and Charlotte McReynolds, Curator at the Ulster Museum in Belfast, will draw on their diverse creative backgrounds to discover, celebrate and reward this year's talented young entrants.
The judges, alongside representatives from RT , Creative Ireland and previous This is Art! Winners gathered at IMMA to mark the launch, taking part in a special art class hosted by ceramic artist and creative Taz Kelleher. The session brought the competition's new theme to life, encouraging young artists to get creative, experiment and express their own interpretation of what This Is Us!' means to them.
Speaking on the launch of RT This is Art!:
Tania Banotti, Director of Creative Ireland, said: This is Art! is a fantastic online art competition, and online gallery with a permanently viewable public archive of all past entries, that promotes artistic practice among young people and encourages and supports creativity, originality and self-expression. In partnership with the Shared Island Initiative and RT , this competition is open to all to share their perspectives and see their creativity celebrated on an all-island stage. We're incredibly excited to see what this year's young artists create in response to This Is Us!'.
RT 's Suzanne Kelly, Head of Children's and Young People's Content, said: We can't believe it's the sixth year of RT This is Art! already. Every year, we're blown away by the creativity of young people across the island, and it's a real privilege to give them a platform to share their art, ideas and perspective with us. This year's theme, This Is Us!, is all about celebrating what makes each of us unique, and we can't wait to see how young artists interpret it. Submissions are officially open on rte.ie/thisisart. Let the creative juices flow!
Will Sliney, Cork-based comic book artist, said: I'm lucky enough to have been able to work on some of my own dream art jobs, like Spider-Man and Star Wars. I got these jobs not through talent, but by practice. By drawing the things I loved and continually improving by doing so. That's why I love anything that encourages kids to create, in whatever medium they enjoy the most, thats what being an artist is continually practicing at getting better in the craft that you enjoy doing. I can't wait to see what the next generation of artists are creating, and I want to spot those who have been really practicing And of course, having fun with their art.
Holly Pereira added: I think it's important to let children know that no matter how small their idea is, it can turn into something big creatively. Some of my smallest ideas have become large murals which I'm so proud of, so give your idea a chance to grow. I'm so excited to see the talent and effort from entrants.
Barbara Kne evi is an artist and educator and gave her insights on the competition: The subject of belonging is such a timely and important theme to work with. The nature of belonging is that it is experienced personally and communally so the possibilities for art making are exciting. I can't wait to see what vibrant interpretations of this theme that RT This is Art! discovers.
Charlotte McReynolds from the Ulster Museum said: Working in a museum means I'm surrounded by art, ideas and stories every day, and so many of them begin with someone simply deciding to create something. Giving young people the confidence and space to explore their own ideas is incredibly important. I'm delighted to be part of RT This Is Art! and can't wait to discover the artists and ideas coming from young people across the island.
How to enter:
Create, snap and upload on rte.ie/thisisart now. Entry is free and further information on how to enter is available on rte.ie/thisisart.
This all-island competition is open to entries from young people aged 0-18 and accepts submissions in all forms, from paintings, drawings and sculptures to photography, digital art or even creating something using found or upcycled materials.
Enter today at rte.ie/thisisart
ENDS
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RT , Creative Ireland and Shared Island Initiative ask young artists 
