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The theme of the 2024 Credit Union Art Competition is “The Joys of Life”

The competition, now in its 41^st year, is one of the most prominent and longest-running competitions of its type across Ireland, this year’s Credit Union Art Competition theme focuses on ‘The Joys of Life’ inviting participants to share what brings them joy and happiness. Celebrating life's simple pleasures and treasured moments through the likes of beautiful sunsets, sharing laughter with friends, or spending time with loved ones, the theme encourages participants to highlight their precious memories.

Over 25,000 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 ‘The Joys of Life” What can you see that gives you joy and capture it in your artwork.

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.

Please note that not all credit unions participate in the Credit Union Art Competition, it is solely their decision if they want to participate. Your first step would be to contact your local credit union to check and see are they participating in Art Competition, and if they are pick up an entry form, so you can start your art work.

Categories:

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

General Category and Additional Needs Category, under the following breakdown of ages

7 years & under
8 – 10 years inclusive
11 – 13 years inclusive
14 – 17 years inclusive
Adult - 18 years and over

Ages as at 31^st December 2024.

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/Regional level, which are groups that cover the island of Ireland
Stage 3 of the Competition is the National Final, which is judged by independent artists on behalf of the Irish League of Credit Unions.

Rules:

The competition has two categories – General Category and Additional Needs Category – with the following age groups in each category

7 years & under
8 – 10 years inclusive
11 – 13 years inclusive
14 – 17 years inclusive
Adult - 18 years and over

Ages as at 31^st December 2024

Group (Additional Needs only)

Proof of month and year of birth may be requested by the credit union.

There is a separate section for the group entries in the Additional Needs Category only.

Entries to the Additional Needs Category are invited from children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. Group entrants must clearly tick the box under Additional Needs Category for them to submit a group entry. Entrants in this category are not required to use the theme.

The text of the theme does not have to be illustrated on your artwork. We are looking for your interpretation of the theme through your art.

All group entries (Additional Needs only) will be judged together – no age categories apply.

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.

All entry forms and artworks must be certified by one of the following: teacher/facilitator/parent/guardian (under 18 , General and Additional Needs Category), or by the entrant (over 18) as being the unaided and original work of the entrant.

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.

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.
The competition is organised into three stages with the winners of each category being forwarded to the next stage, these being:

Stage 1: Credit Union level

Stage 2: Regional/Chapter Level

Stage 3: National Level

Entries must be submitted to your local participating credit union only – no entries will be accepted directly at regional or national level.

It should be noted that once artwork is received by us they become our property and may be reproduced at our discretion and may only returned at our discretion.

All entries are accepted as original works and we are not responsible for any breach of copyright. We will not accept liability for loss or damage to any work submitted.

Entrants may enter the competition only once in any given year

We reserved the right not to award prizes in any category. The decision of the adjudicators is final and no correspondence will be entered into.