Timeline

Here’s a quick run down of the timetable and stages of the Art Bytes annual programme.

Teachers – be reassured entering the competition is not a lot of work! You can download our Teachers Action Calendar for details of exactly what you need to do and when.

Need a reminder about WHY you should take part?

Sign up

September to December

School sign up to participate in Art Bytes

Submit Photos

February

Schools submit photographs of students’ artwork by half term. Competition entries are added to the school’s portfolio page on the Art Bytes website.

Shortlisting

March

Judging panel of respected arts professionals shortlist the top 3 entries from each school

Public Vote

April

The public vote online for their favourite shortlisted entry. The entry with most votes from each school wins a place in the virtual exhibition.

Guest judges select overall winners and runners up for each region. Students, families and teachers are invited to a celebration event at their nearest partner venue, where the winners are announced. This can also be streamed to schools. Art Bytes Virtual Exhibition opens to the public.

The Judging Process

Each participating school submits up to 30 pieces of student artwork which are displayed on the Art Bytes website on school portfolio pages in March. A panel of respected art professionals then shortlist the top 3 artworks from each school. Learn more about the judges here.

Judging Criteria

Bearing in mind the restrictions of time, resources and the national curriculum we aim to celebrate high quality artwork happening within education settings.
Judges select the young people’s work that they think shows talent and potential worth nurturing.
Judges consider confident use of materials, technical skill as well as an imaginative approach to the work.

In April when the online public vote opens, everyone can vote for their favourite shortlisted artwork. The art work with the most votes from each school wins a place in the virtual exhibition.

Virtual Exhibition & Prize Giving

To mark the exhibition launch in June there is a celebration event at each of our partner cultural venues across England, where a specially commissioned film announcing the regional and national winners in each age group will be shown. Students, families and teachers are invited to the event closest to them, however they can also choose to show the film in school.

The virtual doors to the exhibition will also be opened on this date and the winning students work can then be viewed online for a full 12 months!

Need a reminder about WHY you should take part?