The theme of the 2023 Credit Union Art Competition is  ‘My Community & Me’

A community is not just a group of people who live in the same area. It's people who look out for and help each other and work together so that the needs of everyone are considered. A sustainable community doesn't just consider the interests of those who live in the community today. They think about and care for future generations too.

And that's just what credit unions do too. We're based at the heart of local communities, and we put the needs of our members and the communities which we serve first.

The theme for our 2023 Art Competition is 'My Community & Me'.  We'd like you to consider your local community and your place within in. What makes your community different?  Is it the people within it? Is it the beauty you see every day?

The competition, now in its 40th year, is one of the most prominent and longest-running competitions of its type.

Over 30,000 entries on average are received each year from children and adults from across Ireland.

So put your thinking caps on put your imagination to the test and see what you can come with for 'My Community and Me'.

The Credit Union Art Competition has been a feature of life for young and old throughout Ireland for decades. This competition plays an important role in promoting the culture of art, a vital cog in our national identity.

Arts, in particular, bring life to the imagination, allowing thoughts to become reality, no matter who you are or where you come from. In line with the culture and ethos of the credit union, everyone is welcome. The Credit Union Art Competition caters for all ages ranging from 7 years & under to 18 years & over, across all corners of the island of Ireland. This competition requires entrants to draw or paint posters using pencil, charcoal, pen or ink, felt tip marker, crayon, pastel, water colours, gouache, acrylics, oils, poster colour or collage. Posters are required to be either A3 (420 x 297 mm) or A2 (594 x 420mm) and landscape orientation. Portrait orientation entries will be disqualified from adjudication.

Categories:

There are two categories represented in the Credit Union Art Competition:

• General Category
• Additional Needs Category.

The Additional Needs Category encourages participants with physical or intellectual disabilities to submit entries in free expression without the restriction of the competition's official theme if they wish.

This category also allows for group entries. All group entries will be judged together - while no age categories apply.

Judging process

The Credit Union Art Competition consists of three stages.

• Stage 1 is run solely by local credit unions around the country.
• Stage 2 moves on to Chapter level, which consists of 23 different regional finals around the country.
• Stage 3 of the Competition is the National Final, which is judged by independent artists on behalf of the Irish League of Credit Unions.

Judging Update - Judging has taken place for Stages 1 and Stages 2 of the Credit Union Art Competition, stayed tuned to see who will be the winners of the Credit Union Art Comp 2023.   Winners will be announced in the New Year

• To be considered for judging at any level, entries must follow the below briefs:
• All entries must be submitted in either A3 (420 x 297mm) or A2 (594 x 420mm) and landscape orientation. Portrait oriented entries will be disqualified from adjudication.
• Name, address, month and year of birth and other details (where applicable) must be clearly printed on the entry form and then attached to the back of the entry. Any entries bearing incomplete entry forms may not be considered.
• The entry can be drawn or painted in pencil, charcoal, pen or ink, felt-tip markers, crayon, pastel, water colours, gouache, acrylics, oils, poster colour or collage. Prints done from a lino block, wood block or any other method may also be submitted. No computer aided design (CAD) may be entered. No pieces of art under glass, as we cannot be responsible for same.
• Stage 1 and Stage 2 will be judged by local credit unions, who may enlist the help of local artists. Stage 3 – National Final, will be judged by three high profile artists who look for originality, creativity and inspiration throughout the pieces.

Our Additional Needs Category will be judged by an artist who specialises in teaching art for people with disabilities. Entries to the Additional Needs Category are invited from children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. Entrants in this category are not required to use the theme.

Competition Stages Tab

The credit union art competition is composed of three stages, but it is up to the participating credit union to set the date,  we ask that all be completed by the below dates, so please contact your participating credit union for their closing date.

Entrants must enter at credit union level to progress to the following stages. The winning entries from stage one are passed to Chapter for adjudication at a regional (second) stage before the winners only at this level are forwarded to the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) for final (national) judging.

Please note the above dates are subject to change. Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the competition are the sole responsibility of the credit union and chapter. They may choose to change the date in line with their own individual judging process so please contact your local credit union for their dates that they need receipt of your artwork