About the Competition

The Centre for Disability Studies invites non-professional artists who identify as having an intellectual disability to join our online art competition

We invite you to create artworks that express what health issues matter to you.

You can submit any type of art in a medium of your choice. This means you can be as creative as you want

Some examples of the type of art you might like to create are

• painting
• drawing
• sculpture
• music
• dance
• Writing
• digital art
• and more

Research Project

This art competition is part of a larger research project we are doing with the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health.

Art competitions are often used in research projects. They are a creative way to find out people’s ideas and opinions about a topic

Our current research project will use an art competition to look at the opinions of people with intellectual disability and what they think matters most in health research about people with intellectual disability

Remember that your artwork should express what you think matters most in health research

Who can enter?

The competition is free to enter and open to Australian residents who are

The online art competition is for you if:

• are over 18+ years old
• have an intellectual disability
• are a non-professional artist

Important Dates

• Art competition open Friday 14^th November
• You will need to send us your artwork by 16^th January 2026
• Judging Period 15^th – 30^th January 2026
• Winners Notified 4^th February 2026
• Online Art exhibition launches 5^th February 2026
• People’s Choice Voting Period 5-13^th February
• Sydney Launch Event + Prize Ceremony Thursday 26^th  February

Why We’re Running the Competition

This art competition is part of a larger research project run by the Centre for Disability Studies and the Centre for Disability Studies (CDS) and the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health.

The research project looks at what health issues matter most to people with intellectual disability. The artworks will help our research team learn what really matters in health for people with intellectual disabilities so they can identify the national health research priorities of people with intellectual disabilities.

Online exhibition and Launch Event

Artworks will be showcased in an online exhibition, which will be launched at an event in February 2026

Judging the finalists and winners

A judging panel (including lived experienced artists) will determine winners.

There will be four prizes. Each prize will be a gift voucher (art supplies or materials).

• 1st Prize – to the value of $1000
• 2nd Prize – to the value of $500
• 3rd Prize – to the value of $500
• People’s Choice to the value of $500

Winners will be notified on 4^th February 2026

Prize winners will be announced at the exhibition launch in February (TBC).

The People’s Choice award will be determined via online voting and announced during the event.

How to enter

Step 1 Create an artwork in a medium of your choice

Step 2 Write or record a short description of your artwork (250 words maximum)

Step 3 Take a photo or video of your artwork

Step 4 Submit your photo or video artwork and description on our website by 15^th January 2026

If you need help or need art supplies, you can contact danielle.carey@cds.org.au

Terms and Conditions

The competition has terms and conditions. You can download the terms and conditions from the resources section below in full text or easy read.