The Canadian Art Inspiration Student Challenge

How It Works

Each year, students in Grades 7 through 12 are invited to create original artworks with accompanying artist statements inspired by leaders in Canadian art history. Applicants are encouraged to interpret this theme as broadly as they wish and to create works in any media.

A student submission consists of the completed submission form (including the artist statement), and a high-resolution image of the artwork. Submissions are collected via email. Please send completed forms and images to the following email address: contest@aci-iac.ca.

Prizes and WINNERS’ SHOWCASE
Cash prizes of $500 for first place winners and $250 for honorable mentions will be awarded in two age categories: Grades 7-9, and Grades 10-12.

Winning works will be featured in a special showcase at Art Toronto, Canada’s largest contemporary art fair, and in an online exhibition hosted on ACI’s website.

See our 2024 student winners.

See online exhibitions for our 2023 winners, 2022 winners, and 2021 winners.

Important Dates
Submissions will be accepted until March 21, 2025.

Winners will be notified and prizes awarded at the end of May 2025. Winners will be announced publicly in October 2025 to coincide with the release of ACI’s online Student Challenge exhibition and the in-person exhibition of winning works at Art Toronto 2025.

Resources for Teachers
Teachers are invited to integrate the Student Challenge into their classrooms and explore the 10 inspiring art projects published annually in a bespoke creativity booklet designed for educators. This booklet is an optional resource that teachers can use to provide students with inspiration for creating their submissions. It is not mandatory that student artworks be based off of an activity from this booklet. Spread the word in your school community with our one-page handout, and our downloadable classroom poster.

For more information see our rules and regulations.

If you have any questions, please contact Hannah Dobbie, Programming Officer, at hdobbie@aci-iac.ca.

To stay up to date on the latest student challenge announcements, please sign up to our Education Newsletter.