International Chemistry & Art Competition

• 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 physical 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. Digitally created artworks are not permitted (i.e. created with the use of Adobe, AI, Canva or similar).
• 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.

• The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or software in the creation of artworks is strictly prohibited. Any artwork found to have been created, in whole or in part, using AI will be automatically disqualified from the competition. All submitted artworks may be screened using AI-detection software as part of our review and integrity processes to identify and monitor potential AI-generated content.

• All entries are required to be submitted digitally using the online form. 
• 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_SCHOOL_CITY
• Only one individual entry per person is accepted. In addition to entering an individual artwork, you may also contribute to ONE group artwork. 
• Entries will be accepted until 9am AEST, 1 October. Please note that all times and dates are based on Eastern Standard Australian Time.

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

From 2026, the competition will be divided into three sections:

Group Artwork (all ages)

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

Within the Junior & Senior sections, 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, as well as the Group artwork winner will receive $500 AUD. Additionally, a $500 AUD prize will be awarded to the People's Choice winner, determined by public voting through our competition platform.

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

• 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.

• 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.

All enquiries related to the competition should be directed to:

education@raci.org.au

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

The People’s Choice Award will be determined by the total number of public votes received through the official competition platform. Each individual may cast one vote per artwork and may vote for as many different artworks as they choose. The People’s Choice winner will be announced alongside the other prize winners on 10 November.

Note: Individual feedback on artworks cannot be provided due to the volume of entries. Requests for feedback will not receive a response.

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.

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

You can access our impact reports by clicking the links below:

• Impact Report 2025