Details for Teachers

The Mercy Foundation is excited to announce the 2025 Peace Through Art Competition.  This year we invite secondary students to creatively express their vision of peace. This competition encourages young artists to explore what peace means to them—whether it’s harmony within their communities, global unity, or inner tranquility. Through their artistic talents, students can convey messages of understanding, compassion, and hope for a more peaceful world.

1. Introduction

The Mercy Foundation Youth Awards is a competition open to high school students across Australia from Years 7 – 12. Each year, the Mercy Youth Awards encourages students to gain an understanding of social justice issues in Australia and how we can work to address these issues. This year our focus is about Peace. You might incorporate the competition into the syllabus in English, Art and RE Studies.

2. Competition Details

The theme for 2025 is Peace through Art. The competition is open to all secondary school students of all artistic skill levels. We encourage participants to use their creativity and originality to craft pieces that reflect their perspective on peace.

a) Students may submit artworks in the following mediums:

• • Painting (Acrylic, Watercolor, Oil, etc.)
  • Drawing (Pencil, Charcoal, Ink, etc.)
  • Mixed Media
  • Digital Art
  • Photography

Students are asked to take a photo of their creation and upload it with their entry form on our website (NB no faces in the photo).

b) Each entry must include a written paragraph (no longer than 100 words) that explains the photo.

c) AND fill out the brief quiz on Peace on the online entry form.

3. Important Notes:

•  Only one entry per person
• An entrant is an individual student
• Strictly no faces to feature in the image
• No brand names or logos

4. Judging

A panel of judges will evaluate submissions based on:

• Creativity & Originality – How uniquely the theme of peace is represented.
• Artistic Technique – Skill and execution in the chosen medium.
• Emotional Impact – The ability to evoke emotion and inspire.
• Relevance to Theme – How well the artwork conveys the message of peace.
• Short quiz.

The school that submits the most entries will win $250. Please encourage your students to participate!

5. Entries

1. Entries must consist of a photograph uploaded with the online entry form. The online entry form is available on our website www.mercyfoundation.com.au
2. Photographs should be a maximum of 2MB and in the format of a JPEG, GIF or PNG. JPEG is the preferred format. A PDF will also be accepted.
3. Photos should be saved using student’s name and school e.g. SmithH_SydneyHigh.jpeg
4. If for any reason they are unable to use the online entry form, please contact us by email youthawards@mercyfoundation.com.au or call 02 9911 7390.
5. By submitting an entry, the student acknowledges that they have read and accepted the Terms and Conditions for the Mercy Foundation Youth Awards 2025. The Terms and Conditions are available on our website www.mercyfoundation.com.au
6. The photo and entry must be the student’s original work created for the competition.
7. The Mercy Foundation will acknowledge all entries received. It is your responsibility to ensure that we have received your entry.
8. Photographs may be exhibited at a public event later this year. More information will be provided closer to the event.
9. The closing date is 8 August 2025.

For more information, please call the Mercy Foundation on 02 9911 7390 or email youthawards@mercyfoundation.com.au