Your vote decides
by Educate Magazine March 24, 2026 · All News
A fierce competition drew 1,600 entries from across the Liverpool City Region for the annual dot-art Schools competition. The shortlist is out and now it’s your turn to decide. Cast your vote online today and help crown the region’s most outstanding young artistic talent.
dot-art is calling on the public to vote for their favourite artwork in this year’s annual competition. This year almost 1,600 entries were submitted from Year 5 and Year 9 students across 90 primary and secondary schools. The competition is a spectacular celebration of creative brilliance from young artists across the Liverpool City Region.
A judging panel of celebrated arts professionals carefully shortlisted three exceptional entries from each school. The panel includes Claire Benjamin, head of learning & participation at National Museums Liverpool, Steph Leach, senior lecturer in primary education and the art and design lead at Edge Hill University, and Tina Ramos Ekongo, a figurative visual artist and workshop facilitator, amongst others.
Kristy Vidamour will also be part of the judging panel. Kristy is a Milan-based fashion designer and multidisciplinary artist originally from Liverpool. She, herself, won a dot-art Schools award in 2014. This makes her return as a judge an inspiring full-circle moment for the next generation of creatives.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of it. You can view and vote on the shortlisted artworks at schools.dot-art.com/browse-schools from Thursday, 19 March to Thursday, 16 April 2026.
The artwork receiving the most votes from each school will earn a place in the annual dot-art Schools exhibition, showcased at the Walker Art Gallery, from Thursday, 4 June to Sunday, 5 July 2026.
Carolyn Murray, dot-art Schools project manager said:
“The dot-art Schools competition is a powerful reminder of the incredible artistic talent thriving in our schools. Every year we are impressed by the quality and originality of what these young people create. We urge everyone to get involved, visit the schools’ pages online, and cast their vote – let’s make 2026 a record-breaking year! Every vote gives a shortlisted pupil the chance to win for their school and have their masterpiece displayed at the iconic Walker Art Gallery!”
Visit https://schools.dot-art.com/browse-schools/ between 19 March and 16 April to cast your vote.
