The World Youth Painting Competition is the first world-class youth painting event officially supported by UNICEF, and is widely regarded as the “Olympics” of youth art. The first edition was launched in 2012 in Vancouver, Canada, and by 2025 thirteen editions had been successfully held.

The competition consists of a submission round and an on-site round, attracting over 100,000 participants each year from more than 50 countries and regions, including China, Canada, Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Russia. The event is strongly supported by the Governor General and Prime Minister of Canada, various consulates, artists and media outlets.

It aims to build friendships among international youth, promote global cultural exchange, and fully develop and showcase the artistic talent of young participants. It also seeks to raise awareness about children in need, especially those affected by disasters, and to encourage greater public participation and support.

Submission period: July 01 – Nov 30, 2026. The organising committee invites young artists from around the world to use their brushes to depict the colours of the future and to share their visions of friendship, environmental protection and dreams.

Art Journey Pte Ltd has been certified and authorised as the designated Artwork Collection Agency for Singapore for the 14th Youth World Cup Painting Competition (Authorisation No. C14-014260902029, valid 1 July 2026 – 31 December 2026). Every Singapore entry is submitted to the organising committee through Art Journey.

Registration: available at Art Journey Pte Ltd, the authorised Singapore collection agency.

Notes:

• Intellectual property of submissions belongs to Art Journey Pte Ltd, the authorised Singapore collection agency. Authors retain their moral rights. Art Journey may use the works for exhibitions, auctions, publicity, publishing, derivative products and similar purposes without further compensation.
• Art Journey may use photos or videos of participants for promotional purposes.
• Submissions must be original and must not infringe any third-party rights. Any legal responsibility lies with the participant.
• Fees are non-refundable.
• The final interpretation of the competition rules rests with the Organizing Committee and the authorised collection agency.

The World Youth Painting Competition is the only international painting competition officially supported by UNICEF, with over 100,000 participants from more than 50 countries and regions. It is regarded as the pinnacle and the “Olympics” of international youth art competitions.

Since 2012, the competition has been a platform where young artists can earn recommendation letters from UNICEF and the other organisers — an important advantage in future university applications. Many past participants have been admitted to top institutions including the Rhode Island School of Design, the California Institute of the Arts, the Maryland Institute College of Art, Harvard, Yale, the University of Chicago, Boston University, NYU, the University of Toronto and UBC. Scholarships awarded have ranged from US$5,000 to US$200,000.

The competition is also a charitable platform supporting UNICEF’s “School-in-a-Box” programme, which provides education facilities for forty students per unit in disaster-affected regions. By 2025, the competition had donated 1,080 tent schools, helping 43,200 children gain access to education.

Art Journey is a Singapore art studio in Tengah, twelve minutes from Jurong East MRT, running art jamming sessions for adults and groups and structured art workshops for children. Our studio has worked with the SAF, NUHS, Maybank, the Singapore Tourism Board and the Peranakan Museum.

As the authorised Singapore artwork collection agency for the 14th Youth World Cup Painting Competition, we guide each young artist from theme brief to finished piece, handle submission to the organising committee, and pass on certificates and medals once results are announced.