After a fierce competition drawing 1,600 entries from across the Liverpool City Region, the shortlist is set and NOW it’s YOUR turn to decide! Cast your VOTE online today and help crown the region’s most outstanding young artistic talent. 

dot-art Schools, in partnership with Springboard, is calling on the public to vote for their favourite artwork in this year’s annual competition, a spectacular celebration of creative brilliance from young artists across the Liverpool City Region. This year almost 1,600 imaginative entries were submitted from Year 5 and Year 9 students across 90 primary and secondary schools. 

A judging panel of celebrated arts professionals carefully shortlisted three exceptional entries from each school. This distinguished panel includes David Al-Hadithi, Creative Director of Springboard Advertising & Media who are also headline sponsor this year, Claire Benjamin, Head of Learning & Participation at National Museums Liverpool, Steph Leach, Senior Lecturer in Primary Education and the Art & Design Lead at Edge Hill University, Tina Ramos Ekongo, a figurative visual artist and workshop facilitator, and Kristy Vidamour a Milan-based fashion designer and multidisciplinary artist originally from Liverpool, who herself won a dot-art Schools award in 2014 making her return as a judge an inspiring full-circle moment for the next generation of creatives. 

David Al-Hadithi  Creative Director of Springboard comments 

“It’s been a joy to see the enthusiasm of both schools and children for this competition, the creativity and freedom shown in the work speaks for itself. I’d urge you to support these young creatives by voting for your favourite artworks.” 

Don’t miss your chance to be part of it!

The stunning shortlisted artworks can be viewed and voted on at schools.dot-art.com/browse-schools from Thursday 19th March to Thursday 16th April 2026.  

The artwork receiving the most votes from each school will earn a coveted place in the prestigious 14th annual dot-art Schools exhibition showcased at the world-renowned Walker Art Gallery, from Thursday 4th June to Sunday 5th July 2026. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these young artists to see their work celebrated in one of the UK’s most iconic galleries.  

Carolyn Murray, dot-art Schools Project Manager said:  

“The dot-art Schools competition is a powerful reminder of the incredible artistic talent thriving in our schools. Every year we are impressed by the quality and originality of what these young people create. We urge everyone to get involved, visit the schools’ pages online, and cast their vote – let’s make 2026 a record-breaking year! Every vote gives a shortlisted pupil the chance to win for their school and have their masterpiece displayed at the iconic Walker Art Gallery!” 

Visit https://schools.dot-art.com/browse-schools/ between 19th March and 16th April to cast your vote.