Arts

Minds Shine Bright Young Illustrators Places Competition

Would you like to see your artwork on or in a book? Here is a great opportunity for young illustrators to shine!

Minds Shine Bright, a small publisher based in St Kilda that publishes anthologies of fiction and poetry by local and international writers is excited to be publishing their first anthology by young writers. They are calling for young illustrators aged 15 and under to enter the Minds Shine Bright Young Illustrators Places Competition which closes on 31 March 2026.

The winning artwork will appear on the cover of the Young Writers Places Anthology, and five drawings will be selected to illustrate the inner pages.

The winning artist will be paid $200 in prize money, and each selected drawing will be paid $30. Winners will receive a copy of the Young Writers Places Anthology when it is published. The competition will be judged in April by artist and book designer Dr Caren Florance and Amanda Scotney, the Founder of Minds Shine Bright.

Entry fees are $10 for a group entry of five students (or $2 per student) or individual students can complete the online form. (There is a pay what you can afford entry fee of $1-$5 for individual entries). For students experiencing financial hardship entry fees will be waived. Entries require parent or guardian approval, which should be obtained prior to entering. Entry fees contribute towards prize money and publication costs.

Each student can submit up to two artworks (one colour drawing and one black and white line drawing).

If you are interested please download and read the Terms and Conditions, but if you have any questions please email me at emma.shelton@education.vic.gov.au 

EMMA SHELTON, Arts KLA Leader