Entries are now open!

Every garden is unique, and so is every mind.

This year's theme, Garden of the Mind, celebrates the creativity that blooms within each of us. We invite you to explore your thoughts, imagination and experiences and express them through art in a way that feels uniquely yours.

Just like a real garden, our minds need care, kindness and time to grow. Your artwork could show the things that make you happy, the people and places that help you feel safe, your hopes and dreams, or simply what makes your mind special.

There’s no right or wrong way to interpret the theme. Your Garden of the Mind is yours to create.

You can use any artistic style or medium that helps bring your idea to life. Paint, draw, take a photograph, build something, create digitally or experiment with different materials. Most importantly, have fun and let your creativity grow!

 Entries close on September 20 at midnight. 

How the competition works

The Challenge Community Services Art Competition is an annual celebration of the creative talents of people with disability and children and young people in out-of-home care.

To enter, submit your artwork online through the form on this page before entries close.

There are six artwork categories:

• • Painting
  • Drawing or Sketch
  • Mixed Media – using a combination of materials
  • Photography
  • Sculpture & 3D
  • Digital Artwork

There is also a separate category for entrants under 18.

You can interpret Garden of the Mind however you like. There’s no one right way to approach the theme. Your artwork might show your thoughts, imagination, feelings, interests, experiences, or the things that help your mind flourish.

How are the winners chosen?

Once entries close, all eligible artworks will be shared online for the public to vote for their favourites.

One winner from each of the six artwork categories will receive a $200 Eftpos gift card.

The top three entrants under 18 will also each receive a $200 Eftpos gift card.

And there’s something in it for our voters too! Everyone who votes will have the chance to win a $200 Eftpos gift card.

This year our Prize Pool is sponsored by the Rose Kelly Charitable Trust.

 You can find more information in our FAQs. 

About our prize pool sponsor

Rose Kelly was part of the Challenge Community Services community for 60 years, living a full and happy life supported from school through to independent living.

The Rose Kelly Charitable Trust continues her legacy by helping people with disability and those in out-of-home care have the opportunity to express, celebrate and share their talents through our Art Competition. 

We thank the Rose Kelly Charitable Trust for its generous contribution to this year's competition.