Key Dates

Institutional Round: 1 June - 31 July 2025

Childrens Round: 1 August - 1 October 2025

Shortlisted Artworks available to view: from 13 October 2025

Winners Announced: 11 November 2025

Judging criteria

  • 30%      Communicating the the theme through art.
  • 30%      Originality of design and visual impact.
  • 30%      Chemistry ideas relevant to the age group.
  • 10%      Description of artwork

  • The International Chemistry & Art Competition is open to school-aged students (5-19) worldwide.
  • All submitted artwork must be the original creation of the student. Copies of pre-existing images, whether visually replicated or traced, are not acceptable. Colouring an outline created by someone else or receiving external assistance in creating the artwork is also prohibited.
  • Entries can be created using any traditional media, including but not limited to pastels, oil pastels, pen, pencil, charcoal, acrylics, watercolour, oils, mixed media, collage, or other materials. Children are encouraged to use any media available to them.
  • Artwork must not be overly derivative of images found on the Internet, in print media, or elsewhere.
  • All entries must be a drawing, painting, mixed media, or photograph. Videos and three-dimensional sculptures will not be accepted. Please note that all entries must be submitted digitally, as physical entries will not be accepted.

  • All entries are required to be submitted digitally using the online form below. 
  • Once you have submitted the entry form online, you will receive an email confirmation. 
  • Each entry must be submitted individually. (i.e. a separate entry for each individual artwork)
  • Attachments must be in JPG or PNG format and no larger than 2MB
  • The heading for each attachment must be in the following format: LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_AGE

There is no entry fee to enter the International Chemistry & Art Competition

The Royal Australian Chemical Institute will appoint a panel of judges composed of educators, experienced artists, and scientists to evaluate the competition entries.
 
The decisions made by the judges are final and cannot be appealed in any matters related to this competition and the awarding of prizes.
 
In their evaluation of the submissions, the judges will consider the following criteria:
 
  • Expression of the competition theme
  • Use of imagery
  • Skill in execution

The competition will be divided into two sections:

Junior Section: 5-12 years old
Senior Section: 13-19 years old

Within each section, participants will be grouped based on age:

Junior Section:

  • 5-8 years old
  • 9-12 years old

Senior Section:

  • 13-15 years old
  • 16-19 years old

The overall winner in each of the Junior and Senior age groups will receive $500 AUD. Additionally, a $500 AUD prize will be awarded to the People's Choice winner, determined by the total number of downloads from the gallery.

In the event of joint winners, the prize money will be evenly divided among the winners.

  • Entrants will retain copyright and other intellectual property rights for any artwork submitted to the competition. However, as a condition of entry, the owner grants The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) a perpetual license to reproduce the artwork for the purpose of promoting their program.
  • RACI reserves the right to crop and/or adjust artwork to ensure a consistent appearance.
  • RACI may reject entries it deems inappropriate for any reason. The Organiser retains the sole discretion to publish, decline to publish, use, or decline to use any submitted artwork.

By entering the competition, the participant agrees to adhere to and be bound by these rules.

  • The contest organizer assumes no responsibility for delayed, illegible, incomplete, or misdirected entries, or for any issues related to technical malfunctions, including but not limited to problems with telephone networks or lines, online systems, servers, access providers, computer equipment, software failures, or internet congestion, whether at any website or in combination thereof. This includes any injury or damage to the entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from participating in the contest or downloading any materials related to the contest.
  • By entering this contest, entrants agree that RACI, along with its members, directors, and supporting groups, are not liable for any loss or damage of any kind to the entrant or any other person in connection with this contest or participation in any contest-related activities. This includes, but is not limited to, the use or misuse of a prize or any portion of a prize, including personal injury or property damage.
  • RACI reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, cancel, or suspend this contest, or any part of it, should circumstances arise that are beyond the reasonable control of the contest organizer.
  • RACI is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the printing or advertising of this contest. This contest will run in accordance with these contest rules, subject to amendment by RACI.

All enquiries related to the competition should be directed to:

education@raci.org.au

RACI is committed to maintaining a strict privacy policy. Personal data about entrants will not be shared with any third party without the consent of the parent, teacher, program manager, or guardian. RACI collects personal information solely for registration purposes, program evaluation, and to keep entrants informed about the contest. Additionally, RACI may contact entrants with information about future events, but only if explicit permission is provided on the entry form.

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