About GAC
What is the Global Arts Challenge™ (GAC)?
The Global Arts Challenge™ (GAC) is an international art and design competition for high school students across the world. Established in 2023, the Challenge aims to provide a platform for aspiring young artists and designers to showcase their talent and gain recognition on a global stage.
Who can take part in the GAC?
Students aged 15-18 from around the world, including homeschooled students, are eligible to participate. We welcome students of all backgrounds and nationalities.
How do I apply?
You can apply by filling out the online registration form here. Make sure to complete the registration before the deadline.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, there is an entry fee of £85 (British pounds) per student. Entry fees support the administrative costs of running the GAC, including teaching fees, processing, customer service, awards, and other general operating costs.
Are there any discounts or fee waivers available?
Students registering through an official GAC partner school are eligible for a 10% discount on the entry fee—contact your teacher for more details. Additional fee waivers may be available for low-income participants upon request; please contact us for more details.
What are the benefits of participating in the GAC?
Participants gain valuable feedback, recognition, and the chance to connect with a global community of young artists and designers. Winners also receive prizes and opportunities for further artistic development, including the opportunity to exhibit your work in a central London gallery.
Can students participate individually, or as a team?
Students can choose to enter the GAC individually, or as part of a team, depending on their preference. Students participating individually are eligible for individual letters of commendation as prize winners, while winning team entries receive collective letters of commendation and prizes.
What is the maximum team size allowed?
Teams can have a maximum of 3 members. This allows for effective collaboration while ensuring each member has a significant role.
Do I need any prior experience in visual arts or design to enter?
No prior experience is necessary. The GAC is open to all students with an interest in art and design, regardless of their skill level.
Can international students participate?
Yes, the GAC is a global competition that values diverse perspectives from students anywhere in the world.
Can homeschooled students participate?
Yes, homeschooled students are welcome to participate.
Does my school need to be accredited to participate in the GAC?
No, school accreditation is not required for participation. Any eligible student can enter regardless of their school’s accreditation status.
Submission and Deadlines
When is the registration deadline?
Priority registration closes each year on November 1. Students signing up before the priority registration deadline benefit from being able to participate in the GAC’s live Open Class series in November, December and January. Registrations will continue to be accepted after the priority deadline up until the submission deadline of March 1.
When is the submission deadline?
The submission deadline is March 1 23:59 UTC.
Are late submissions allowed?
No, late submissions will not be accepted. Please ensure your work is submitted before the deadline to avoid disappointment.
How do I know if you received my submission?
All submissions will be acknowledged via confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please first check your spam folder, before reaching out via the contact information below.
When are the winners announced?
Winners will be announced via email on April 1. All participants, regardless of winning status, will be emailed with results of the Challenge on this date.
Am I able to submit the same work I’ve previously submitted to other competitions or festivals?
Yes, you may submit work that has been previously published or entered in other competitions. We do not require exclusivity, and GAC does not claim ownership of any submitted work. If you are selected as a winner, we reserve the right to publish or use the work in promotional materials.
Why do I grant GAC a non-exclusive license to use my work when I enter?
GAC is excited to promote the exceptional work of young artists to a wide audience, including educators, other students and the general public through exhibitions, publications, and social media. To do this, we need your permission. The non-exclusive license allows us to use, copy, modify, publish, publicly perform, distribute or exhibit without further approval, as part of our mission to promote young creative talent. This license also means that you can submit the same work to other competitions, or use it in your portfolio.
Judging and Prizes
If I do not win, can I apply again the following year?
Yes, you may reapply for each application cycle that you are eligible for.
Can I apply again with the same material I submitted in a previous application cycle?
No, the theme of the GAC is liable to change year-on-year, so your previous submission may no longer address the theme of this year’s Challenge. It is also highly recommended that you apply with current work that best represents the artist you are today.
How will my work be evaluated?
Submissions are evaluated based on their own merit through an adjudication process by a panel of educators at the world’s top creative institutes. Each submission is evaluated by at least two separate judges, whose average scores will be used to determine the winning entries.
What are the judging criteria?
Judges assess submissions based on their application of research, application of specialist and technical skill, and final outcome and presentation. Full evaluation criteria are available in the competition handbook.
Who are the judges?
GAC judges are esteemed arts educators and practitioners with experience teaching at the world’s top universities, including the University of the Arts London, Rhode Island School of Design and Royal College of Art. You can learn more about our jury for the 2024-25 Global Arts Challenge here.
Competition Support
Do you have any tips for creating a successful submission?
Successful GAC submissions show a thoughtful response to the chosen brief, an understanding of the chosen field of study, an application of primary and secondary research, evidence the development of the work throughout the competition project, present an impressive final outcome and presentation, and show an ability to talk about the work and the themes in the accompanying short video submission. We recommend all students view our Submission Checklist (in the Competition Handbook emailed to all registered students) which includes a list of questions for students to ensure they are on the right track. For any questions, please feel free to reach out!
Does the GAC provide resources or guidelines for preparing submissions?
Yes, please refer to the GAC Competition Handbook (emailed to all students when they register) which includes a detailed overview of our Submission Requirements, Evaluation Criteria, and Submission Checklist. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!
London Exhibition
What is the GAC London Exhibition?
The GAC London Exhibition, which takes place in July each year, showcases the work of the top 20% of global submissions to the GAC each year. The London Exhibition is an opportunity for participating students to exhibit their work in a prestigious international gallery, connect with other exhibiting students, and network with a range of people from within the world of arts education and beyond who are invited to our exclusive Private View.
When will the GAC London Exhibition be held?
The GAC London Exhibition is held in the second half of July each year, to coincide with the start of the northern hemisphere school summer holidays. Exact dates of the exhibition vary from year to year, but will be communicated to students at the same time that results are announced on April 1.
Where will the GAC London Exhibition be held?
The GAC London Exhibition is held at a prestigious London gallery. Details of next year’s London Exhibition will be announced on April 1.
How can I register to attend?
The GAC London Exhibition is an invitation-only event open to the top 20% of global submissions to the GAC each year. Invitation letters will be sent to students on April 1.
Are there any costs associated with the London Exhibition?
While the GAC covers all administrative costs associated with the main competition phase, given the high running costs of the London Exhibition it is necessary to charge an additional fee to students wishing to participate to cover the cost of gallery hire, set-up and take-down. If students and their families wish to attend the Private View opening, travel and hotel costs should additionally be borne by the participant, though visa invitation letters (if applicable) will be provided free of charge. Exact participation fees will be communicated to all invited students on April 1.
Miscellaneous
Is there a benefit to applying for the GAC even if I don't win?
Yes, all students who participate in the GAC benefit from three online masterclasses, learn design thinking from prestigious arts educators, learn the process of developing an art or design project from beginning to end, and receive a certificate of participation to bolster to their resume for university applications.
What happens if I need to withdraw from the competition?
If a student needs to withdraw from the competition prior to the March 1 submission deadline, they may request a refund of their entry fee (minus a £15 administrative charge) by contacting the organisers using the contact information below. Once the March 1 submission deadline has passed, no refunds will be permitted, though students who have not submitted work may choose to defer their entry to the following year’s competition, provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
How did the GAC begin?
The Global Arts Challenge (GAC) held its first edition in 2023, and was established to provide high school arts students an opportunity to showcase their work to a global audience.
Who are the organisers?
The Global Arts Challenge™ (GAC) is organised and administered by Global Arts Education (GAE), an international art and design education consultancy based in London, United Kingdom. You can learn more about Global Arts Education by viewing their website here.
Partner School Accreditation
What is GAC partner school accreditation?
GAC Partner School Accreditation is a recognition for schools that actively support the GAC, providing schools with exclusive professional development opportunities for teachers from esteemed arts university educators free of charge, an additional level of support in competition promotion and a 10% discount for eligible students on the competition entry fee.
What criteria must schools meet to receive accreditation?
Official GAC Partner School accreditation is awarded to schools on the basis of demonstrating the following criteria: active integration and promotion of arts education within the school curriculum; meeting the minimum GAC requirements for school facilities and resources; commitment to cultural exchange and international perspectives; willingness to promote the GAC to students by running internal briefings or other such activities.
How can my school apply?
Schools can apply by completing the online accreditation form available on our website here.