dot-art Schools, the region’s flagship inter-school art competition, is marking its 15th anniversary by inviting primary, secondary, and special schools across the Liverpool City Region to take part in its milestone year. Registration for the 2027 inter-schools, art competition is open to schools until Christmas.

The competition gives Year 5 and Year 9 students the opportunity to have their artwork displayed online alongside peers from across the region, with entries judged by arts professionals. Each participating school’s winning entry is exhibited at the prestigious Walker Art Gallery, giving young artists a genuine platform to showcase their talent to the public. 

A Special Anniversary Theme 

To celebrate 15 years of championing young creatives, dot-art Schools is offering an optional theme for this year’s competition: Nature Needs Us! — Art Inspired by Biodiversity. Organisers chose the theme to reflect one of the most pressing issues facing the planet, giving students the chance to learn about biodiversity loss while channelling their understanding into original artwork. 

Image above: ‘Extinction’ by Eve OMahony Year 9 student, Bellerive  FCJ School. Back in 2022 for dot-art Schools 10th birthday we offered schools an optional theme of ‘Protecting Our Environment’ and this artwork was the Secondary Eco Winner 2022.

Building Confidence and Closing the Gap 

dot-art Schools programme is designed to build students’ confidence and bring families into the experience through an online public vote, public exhibition and a prize-giving ceremony held at St George’s Hall. The programme also helps schools deliver valuable Arts and Culture enrichment, helping to close the participation gap that separates disadvantaged pupils from their peers. 

Mr Shaun Smyth, Head of Creative & Expressive Arts at The Academy of St Nicholas; who had the overall secondary student winner for 2026, reflected on the impact of the programme: 

“The dot-art programme continues to be a highlight of our arts calendar, providing students with a real-world platform to share and celebrate their creativity. Seeing one of our students win the overall first prize across all Liverpool City Region schools was an unforgettable moment and a testament to the exceptional talent within our school community. We are grateful to dot-art for championing young artists and inspiring the next generation of creatives.” 

Mr Danny Metz, Art & Design Lead at Blackmoor Park Primary School, who had the 2026 overall winning primary student, shared a similar sense of pride following pupil Camden’s win: 

“Both staff and pupils were absolutely thrilled for Camden when he won this year’s dot-art Schools competition… Seeing his work celebrated beyond the classroom has given him a real sense of pride and achievement, and it’s wonderful to see him grow in self-belief. It has also inspired other pupils, showing them what can be achieved with creativity, effort and commitment. The dot-art Schools competition is a wonderful platform to showcase such a wide range of children’s artwork, bringing their creativity into the heart of the Walker Art Gallery.” 

No Financial Barriers to Entry 

dot-art Schools is committed to ensuring that a lack of resources doesn’t prevent a school from taking part. Entry costs £195+VAT for primary schools and £295+VAT for secondary schools for the year. Schools with limited budgets can ask about the Champions scheme, which supports schools with high Free School Meal numbers to take part free of charge. 

How Schools Can Get Involved 

Registration for the 15th anniversary competition is open now and closes at Christmas. Primary, secondary, and special schools across the Liverpool City Region are encouraged to sign up and give their students the chance to be part of this milestone year. 

For more information or to register your school, contact dot-art Schools at schools@dot-art.com for more information or visit: schools.dot-art.com/registration to register.