When your kid makes a piece of art, they’re also building confidence, processing feelings, and creating connections. That’s what we’re celebrating with the Outschool Visual Arts Showcase—and your kid could win up to $1,000 USD* in prize value, a one-year Outschool Membership and a billboard in Times Square!




*or the equivalent amount in local currency depending on jurisdiction of residence
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These Outschool art teachers are experts in their fields and champions of creativity.




Entries are open to any learner in the U.S., UK, Canada, or Australia aged 6-18 with an active Outschool Membership or current class enrollment. Entrants in the U.S., U.K., and Australia are eligible for the Showcase Favorite Award. Deadline for entry is April 10, 2026, 11:59PM PT.
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Share an image or video of a piece of their artwork that fits the theme “Something That Inspires Me.”

Complete the short submission form, including a brief description of what inspired the piece, in your kid’s own words.

Stay tuned as we announce the finalists on or around 4/20. Then get excited for the 4/25 showcase and winners reveal!


Fill out this form to enter your kid in the Outschool Visual Art Showcase.
Submission Guidelines
No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of Australia, Canada, the U.K., and the U.S., age 18+ (parents or legal guardians of learners ages 6–18) with an active Outschool membership, ESA, scholarship, or charter enrollment. Additional eligibility requirements apply. Ends 11:59 PM PT on 4/10/26. Void where prohibited. Subject to Official Rules.

The fish were a great joy for the piece and the curves of water I thought added a great look. I did the background in acrylic paint and the fish in Sharpie, some I DID NOT SHARPIE. I like any type of art as long I'm DOING ART and HAVING FUN! Because ART IS NOT ART IF YOU ARE NOT HAVING FUN.

I’m 9 years old. I love drawing, swimming and being with my brother. I love art because I can express myself and my ideas flow to the paper! I am inspired by my thoughts, activities and favorites! I love drawing with my Outschool art teacher, Sandra Goodwin!


I live in the Portugal and we see many bunnies gathering to watch the sun set.

I love to make different art work. I have dyslexia, and art helps me express myself or my thoughts with no words. I painted this because teachers forget that even though I struggle with my writing, I do know how to express myself. People who are different feel lost in the shadows. My artwork makes me feel happy because I know that in the end I am bright. That is why I draw my star, and my face.

My English name is Murphy I play baseball and is a big fan of dodgers. Once I watched “Interstellar” I am interested in planets so I create this to show how small humans and civilizations are to the universe. this makes me feel joyful because I love to express my feeling to others this artwork gives me a feeling of awe.
My name is Remy and I love drawing and animals! This art piece was made because we were studying the Amazon and I picked an animal to draw. This inspired a series of time-lapse sketches. It makes me feel proud.

This beautiful Scarlet Macaw is listening to the sound of nature and wondering if she should stay or fly away into the canopy of the Amazon. I am inspired by nature. I am 13 years old. Art brings me peace, so when I draw the nature around me, I feel we are one.

My name is Maya I love dogs so much. I have two dogs Bella and Spikie. I am Polish. I've been in a dog drawing class for about 2 years . I drew this dog realistic because I really like the realistic style. I like realistic style because its really hard to draw straight lines and do the shading in the correct places.The realistic drawings turn out to be very impressive.It makes me feel proud and curious.

Hello! My name's Sybil, and I make a bunch of OCs when I'm bored! I played a game called Cookie Run: Kingdom, and there were two new costumes that were in the game which was a playwright and actor. I got inspired by it, and drew some costumes for my two OCs - Pluvia and Tempestade (Tempestade is male). I always got a feeling of calmness and solemness when i look at the art. It does feel relaxing, like a calm dance.


My artwork is called “Circle of Leaves.” I painted it on a real plate and divided the circle into eight sections. Three sections represent the seasons that have leaves: spring, summer, and fall. The other five sections show leaves in different colors such as purple, orange, yellow, red, and green. I used contrasting colors in the background to make the leaves stand out. Leaves are beautiful and colorful, and they make me feel calm and happy.

Watercolor is my favorite kind of art. I made this painting because I love my hometown, New York City. New York can feel loud and exciting, but it is also colorful and full of life. I wanted to paint a small scene that reminds me of that feeling. In the middle of my painting there is a lucky cat holding up both paws. Lucky cats are supposed to bring good luck. In my picture, the cat is wishing good luck to the city and the people who live here. I hope people who see my painting feel happy.

I have been drawing since I was 4. Now I am passionate about animals and conservation. This year I started painting, so that my sketches pop with color and display the diverse beauty of the animals and their environments. A documentary of a giant squid inspired me to draw this. I feel overjoyed to be able to capture the beauty of this animal rarely seen while it’s alive. Fun fact: I like painting to the beat of music. I like to let my brush strokes dance with the beat. It makes me smile.


My name is Lauren. I love making art. I am a caring person and love to make new friends. My piece is inspired by my love of reptiles and dragons. It makes me feel proud of my artwork. Shout out to my art teacher Abeera for helping me make beautiful masterpieces.

I’ve been drawing ever since I was little. I did this because I always think everyone needs freedom in life, having dreams and not giving up, following them. I sometimes give my characters this feeling of freedom because the world can be hard, but still beautiful. Drawing for me is a way to express freedom and beauty.

Hello, my name is Charlotte and I'm so happy to be in this contest! Something that inspired my art was the beautiful, colorful city and the beauty of being up high to see it, and at the same time feeling a calm stillness of being alone and sitting in the rain. I also really wanted to put my OC Nauro in it, and having him looking down on the city, which I think came out really nice! I really hope you like my art!

This painting represents my memories of summer holidays spent in Poland at my grandma’s countryside home. Every summer I would visit her, and the landscape around the village was full of golden fields and large round hay bales after the harvest. I remember the warm sun, the smell of fresh grass and straw, and the peaceful feeling of being surrounded by nature, which contrasted so much with what I am used to living in New York City.


I'm Luka, a great painter and my best artwork is painting by making splashes of colors together. The cracks and waves of this painting makes me feel like I'm looking at the water. My favorite type of art is abstract, and this is one of my favorite and best abstract paintings.

“I enjoy drawing anime because it inspires my imagination. I like creating characters with strong expressions and unique designs. Anime shows like Naruto inspire me to practice drawing and improve my skills. When I draw, I feel creative and excited because I can bring my ideas to life through art.”

The main two things that inspired my piece are 1. the stars, and 2. my love for Greek art. I wanted to incorporate the process I once learned the Greeks commonly used to properly create "beautiful" women and "handsome" men (typically the Archimedean spiral) as well as the art worthy equations that explain the creations, movements, and positions of nebulas, energy, and matter. In the end, I wanted the piece to feel inspiring, dramatic, and free.

I was inspired by survival in the wild. In my painting, a girl and her cat are camping in the wilderness. There are many different trees and plants around them, and many shades of green that make the forest look full of life. In the middle of the picture, there is a warm campfire lighting up the girl. She is fishing by the river with her cat beside her. You can see their reflections in the water. Far away in the wilderness, there is a rainbow that you can faintly see in the sky.

This piece of art was inspired by classic ancient Chinese art. I developed a passion for watercolor when I was 11, instantly falling in love with the way you can play with imperfections, mix colors, and create movement on the page. When I look at this painting, I imagine the smooth way the koi move through the water. It makes me feel peaceful and wonder what it might feel like to be a koi—so calm and carefree.

Catalina is a homeschooler who found a passion for art after sustaining a traumatic brain injury. She loves Outschool because it allows her to focus on learning in ways that work for her... through music, art, movement, community, discussion, and relationships. She has been learning mixed-media in her Outschool classes, and this work is a mix of color pencils and learning how to use an embossing technique. She also lives at an animal sanctuary and loves to include animals in her art.

My name is Connor. I really like the night sky, because it's really pretty and there's a lot of possibility. I chose to paint this, because it makes me think of the night sky, even when I'm not outside. It makes me feel happy, but sometimes when I look at it I feel like I'm not very good at painting. Even though I sometimes feel like it's not good enough, I'm still glad I painted it.

My name is Sophia, my art piece is a collage made with construction paper, scissors and glue. It is a picture of my cat Camella Belly sleeping on my bed, with a big Venus fly trap plant and the full moon in the window. Today is the full moon, and Camella Belly was taking a nap on my bed. She looked so cute! This picture makes me feel happy.

My name is Wolf and for the last few months I’ve been learning how to draw more realism art. When I was able to capture the style that I enjoyed, I transferred it digitally. This piece represents my growth as an artist. A long time ago, if you asked me to draw something realistic, I would have said no. Now I challenge myself and embrace new styles.


I am a student who enjoys drawing and expressing my feelings through art. This artwork shows a child holding the Earth, which represents my hope for world peace. I was inspired by the idea that even small hands can protect our planet. Creating this piece makes me feel calm and hopeful, and it reminds me to care for others and the world we share.

As a young child, I was terrified of tornadoes and extreme weather. As I've grown older, I've fallen in love with it instead! I now want to become a meteorologist and storm chaser. I hope to help save lives through accurate weather prediction. And I hope to inspire young people like myself who are terrified of strong storms they can't control. Tornadoes, like the El Reno tornado of May 31, 2013, inspire me to overcome my greatest fears!

My name is Sercie and I love drawing people and their expressions. I have five siblings (three biological), so I’m always surrounded by different personalities that inspire my art. This piece is inspired by a homeschooled Olympian and the quiet strength it takes to follow your own path. I created it with markers and pen, focusing on emotion in the eyes and face. Art is my escape and a way to capture the stories I see in people.

Hi, I'm Lianna and I like to dance, play with my friends, go to the beach and I love to draw. My drawing is called "A beautiful world starts with you" because each person has the power and responsibility to make the world a better place. The big green tree symbolizes growth, strength, and a healthy environment. The sun, birds, butterflies, heart, and flowers all represent life, love, peace, and harmony in nature. The heart especially shows that we should care for the Earth with love.

So I like to draw a lot of buildings, ranging from small lodges, to big skyscrapers. I got inspired by all the books I read (I read, a LOT), and decided to make a Storybook row about the fairytales. It makes me feel kinda' magical you know, like all these little details that make it feel alive.

My name is Juniper and I am 10 years old. My artwork titled Unicorns in New York symbolizes possibility. Even in tough times, imagination can carry us somewhere new. That is why possibility inspires me the most, it can become anything and I want that for everyone!

This piece was inspired by a nature walk that I took with my family. I used real sticks, tree bark, and leaves that I found in the woods to show how beautiful the forest is. I also showed a lot of animals because I love seeing them in the woods--except the bear! Looking at my art reminds me how peaceful and quiet I feel in the forest. I want to be a conservationist when I grow up so I can help all kids enjoy nature.


Hi I'm Mariah! Ever since I was little I've always enjoyed arts and crafts. I grew to love drawing when I realized how pretty art can be. Black beauty is what inspired this drawing. My parents always affirm me and teach me to embrace my natural beauty. I hope others look at this drawing and find confidence and self worth in the skin they are in because Black Is Beautiful and all are too!

I get really sleepy in math class. To keep myself awake, I often doodle. I started to draw snakes because it just felt natural. After school, I look up some snake pictures - and then, I start drawing. Drawing these snakes is a lot harder than it looks! And then - BOOM! - I drew this snake.

I drew an astronaut because astronauts really inspire me. They get to go to space and see things that most people will never get to see, like planets, stars, and the Earth from really far away. I think that is amazing. It must take a lot of bravery and hard work to become an astronaut, and that makes me admire them even more. Sometimes I imagine what it would be like to be an astronaut in the future. It would be really cool to float in zero gravity and travel on a spaceship.


This piece was inspired by Greek mythology, specifically the story of Icarus. This piece is representing the last moments of Icarus’s plummet to the Icarian sea which the sea was named after. This piece makes was a slight depression vibe because of the final moments of reflection of Icarus’s life, and I wonder if he thought he had a good life and if he did okay and what awaits him next, but our eyes will simply never live to tell the tale.


Hi! I love drawing I started when my older cousin inspired me too draw. What inspired to make this art work is because of flexibility, I can do a hand stand so I thought why can't my paper! After I was finished and I read through the artwork page thing and I saw it said to be creative undecided to go for it! I added a lot of neon and shiny colors to make it pop I really enjoyed making the art work and I hope you did too :)

I really enjoyed making this self portrait. It reflects the most dignified version of myself, and really speaks to the responsibilities a hold. I painted this piece with acrylic markers, and I spent a whole afternoon on it rather than doing my Homework…don’t worry I still got the homework done. :D what do you think? Worthy of a vote?


I have been creating art since I was a baby. From finger paint and sidewalk chalk to digital art and oil pastels, I love learning new mediums and developing my skills. My piece is inspired by the resilience of nature. In the face of disasters (natural or man-made), something will survive and create a new beauty. When I immigrated to Canada, I experienced loss. Pieces like this helped me find the beauty in change. A tree isn't beautiful because it is static, but rather because it is resilient.

Lenny is a bright and creative 13-year-old with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), a condition that affects his social interactions and emotional regulation. Despite these challenges, Lenny has discovered a special way to express himself through art. This particular piece is of his beloved dog, his close companion and friend. Through this artwork, Lenny not only shares the joy and comfort his little dog brings him but also communicates a part of himself that words cannot fully express.


Hello, I like doing art with no thought behind it. The piece was based on a pretty reference I found(I liked the hair) and I just wanted to draw it via scribbles. I have no idea how she turned into paper. It was not the intent, as there was no intent. I also don't know where the polynomials came from. They just appeared. I was having fun hatching and that's all there is to it :D

My name is Aslan. I am 8 years old and I do an art class. This is one of my favorite projects from class and I wanted to put it in the contest. I used watercolor, oil pastels, and a picture of myself to create this piece. I feel happy when I look at this art and I hope you will, too!

I am a multi media artist, sometimes I’m sewing, sometimes I’m drawing, and sometimes I’m sculpting. This is my most recent piece, she is a bengal tiger, her name being a reference to life of pi’s bengal tiger Richard Parker. She makes me feel peace, she is content with comfort but she still looks for things other people won’t see.

Hi! My name is Wesson, and I am just 8 years old! I love cats, and my cat Bowser is why I sketched this cartoon drawing of him with a mouse toy. He is a big fluff-ball, and it is fun to watch him play. I feel happy and loved by my cat, and I wanted to share him with you.
Whether your kid is just starting their creative journey or has a project ready to go, you’ll find classes that meet them where they are and bring out their best.
Learners ages 6 to 18 in the United States, United Kingdom, (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland only), Australia and Canada (excluding Quebec) (see showcase rules for regional participation limits and award eligibility details) can enter if their family has an active Outschool Membership or is actively enrolled in a class using ESA, scholarship, or charter funds. New to Outschool? Become a member today!
Not at all! The Visual Arts Showcase is open to every eligible learner, whether they’re new to creating art or already taking classes. They don’t need to be enrolled in an Outschool art class to participate. What matters most is their creativity, effort, and artistic voice.
Log in to your Outschool account and fill out the form above. Upload a high-resolution image or a 1-minute video of your learner’s artwork (vertical 9x16 preferred; max 150MB) and add the artwork’s title plus a note about why your learner chose it. If you have trouble uploading, check our troubleshooting tips or contact Outschool Support for help.
Make sure to enter using the parent email linked to your Outschool account. If a teacher invited you to the Showcase, add their profile link so we can thank them. Submitting for more than one learner? Fill out a new form for each.
Artwork should connect to the theme, ‘Something That Inspires Me,’ and must be original and created by the learner. If your learner uses any material they did not create themselves, it must be clearly changed into something new and original, not just copied or lightly edited. AI tools may not be used to create any part of the artwork. Learn more about our submission guidelines here.
Our team reviews your learner’s artwork to make sure it meets the showcase rules and submission guidelines. This could take up to a week. You’ll get an email once it’s in the Showcase. Keep an eye on this page for updates. Entries will appear here when ‘Showcase Favorite’ voting begins on or around March 13.
Submissions can’t be edited once they’ve been sent, so be sure to review your upload and entry form carefully before submitting. Each learner can have only one entry in the Showcase, and judges will review only one submission per participant.
Outschool’s teacher judges review entries for creativity and originality. Learners submit their work in one of two categories: Physical Art (e.g., drawing or painting) or Digital Art (e.g., animation or digital illustration). One finalist is chosen in each age group for each category. Showcase Favorite voting happens on the Showcase page and is open to those aged 18 or older. Public voting for Showcase Favorite is open only to individuals who are legal residents of jurisdictions where participation is lawful. Notwithstanding the foregoing, residents of Canada are not eligible to participate in the public voting portion of the Contest.
Finalists are featured in the live virtual event, and the Showcase Favorite winner is decided by public vote. Entries from Canada are eligible for judging and award selection in all categories except for public voting for the Showcase Favorite award.
The live virtual Showcase will be hosted by Outschool on April 25. It’s a free celebration of the finalists and their artwork, featuring judges and moments highlighting each artist’s creative process and inspiration. Families can join to view the artwork, hear directly from the artists, and celebrate their creativity together.
Two Grand Prize winners, one in each category, each receive a $500 USD Outschool Gift Card, a $500 USD Amazon Gift Card, a featured placement on a Times Square digital billboard, and a one-year Outschool Membership at the $70 USD monthly tier. Finalists receive a $250 USD Outschool Gift Card, and the Showcase Favorite winner receives a $250 USD Outschool Gift Card and a $250 USD Amazon Gift Card. Finalists are announced on April 20, and Grand Prize winners will be announced live at the Showcase event on April 25. Prizes are sent by email after the contest concludes. All prizes are stated in US dollars (USD) or the equivalent amount in local currency, depending on the jurisdiction of residence.