Credit Union Art Competition 2025

Ballyconnell Credit Union are delighted to launch the 2025 Credit Union Art Competition and is calling on local artists of all ages to take part in one of Ireland’s longest running and most inclusive art initiatives. The competition invites people from all walks of life to express themselves through creativity, with this year’s theme asking them to reflect on “The Future is…” This year’s theme encourages artists to look ahead with imagination, hope and curiosity. Participants might explore personal dreams and milestones, a better world for the next generation, or how change and progress might shape our lives and communities. Whether bold and futuristic or thoughtful and personal, the theme offers endless possibilities for creative interpretation.

Now in its 42nd year, the Credit Union Art Competition continues to support and promote creativity at every stage of life. From early learners to lifelong artists, the competition celebrates the power of art to connect, inspire and bring communities together. Ballyconnell Credit Union believes in supporting not only financial wellbeing, but also personal growth and connection through community involvement. The art competition is part of that wider mission, encouraging children and adults alike to think, create and share their ideas with others.

The competition is open to entrants across two categories:

• General Category
• Additional Needs Category

Each category is broken down into five age groups (based on age as of 31 December 2025):

• 7 years and under
• 8 – 10 years inclusive
• 11 – 13 years inclusive
• 14 – 17 years inclusive
• 18 years and over (Adult)

Entries will be judged on originality, creativity and how well the theme is explored. All artwork must
be hand-drawn or painted. Digital artwork will not be accepted. Local winners will go forward to
regional and national stages of the competition.

Download a form here

727819 Art Competition 2023 Entry Form Fillable 1

Please note, the closing date is 20/10/2025

• Entries to the Additional Needs Category are invited from children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. Group entrants must clearly tick the box under Additional Needs
  Category for them to submit a group entry. Entrants in this category are not required to use the theme.
• The text of the theme does not have to be illustrated on your artwork. We are looking for your interpretation of the theme through your art. All group entries will be judged together – no age categories apply.
• Name, address, age, month and year of birth and other details (where applicable) must be clearly printed on the entry form
  and then attached to the back of the entry. Any entries bearing incomplete entry forms may not be considered.
• All entry forms and artworks must be certified by teacher/facilitator/parent/guardian (under 18, General Category and
  Additional Needs Category), or by the entrant (over 18) as being an unaided and original work of the entrant.
• All entries must be submitted in either A3 (420mm wide x 297mm high) or A2 (594mm wide x 420mm high) and LANDSCAPE orientation. Other sizes and portrait oriented entries will be
  disqualified from adjudication.
• The entry can be drawn or painted in pencil, charcoal, pen or ink, felt-tip markers, crayon, pastel, water colours, gouache, acrylics, oils, poster colour or collage. Prints done from a lino block, wood block or any other method may also be submitted. No computer aided design (CAD) may be entered. No pieces of art under glass, as we cannot be responsible for same.
• The competition is organised into three stages with the winner
  in each category being forwarded to the next stage, these being:
  Stage1 Credit Union Level
  Stage 2 Chapter (Regional) Level
  Stage 3 National Level
  Entries must be submitted to your local participating credit union only – no entries will be accepted directly at regional or national level.
• It should be noted that once artwork is received by us they become our property and may be reproduced at our discretion and may only be returned at our discretion. All entries are
  accepted as original works and we are not responsible for any breach of copyright. We will not accept liability for loss or damage to any work submitted.
• Entrants may enter the competition only once in any given year.
• We reserve the right not to award prizes in any category. The decision of the adjudicators is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Ballyconnell Credit Union is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.