YouCreate Competition - University for the Creative Arts (UCA)
University for the Creative Arts (UCA)
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Ready to get weird and showcase your creative voice? Enter UCA's YouCreate competition to submit original art-film, fashion, music, photography, poetry and more. Build a standout portfolio, connect with industry-focused academics, and tell us how you used any AI.
The YouCreate Competition (theme: "Weird") invites young creatives to submit original work across a wide range of art forms, including fashion, film, music, painting, photography, sculpture, animation, poetry, short films and other creative media. Entrants are encouraged to respond to the theme and can use digital tools; any use of AI-generated elements must be declared with an explanation of how they were used.
There are two entry categories: Year 7-10 (for those born between 01/09/2010 and 31/08/2014) and Year 11-13 & FE equivalents (for those born between 01/09/2007 and 31/08/2010). A 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize will be awarded in each category.
Winners will be announced at the private view of the competition exhibition, which will take place at UCA Canterbury in July 2026; winners unable to attend will be notified by email.
The competition is open to individuals living in the UK and is free to enter. Entries must be submitted via the online form (one entry per person). Work will be judged by a panel of UCA staff and creative industry experts.
Teachers and support staff working in secondary schools or colleges may enter in a dedicated staff category.
31 May 2026
Location
- Open to students aged 11 to 18 years old
- Must be in Years 7-13 or an FE equivalent
- Must have been born between 01/09/2007 and 31/08/2014
- Entrants must be living in the United Kingdom (no entries from outside the UK)
- One entry per person
- Group entries are not accepted
- Entrant must upload their own entry; if younger than 13 the entry must be uploaded by a parent/guardian
- Home-educated students, youth groups and alternative provision settings may enter if individual entrants meet the age criteria
- There is a category for secondary school or college staff (teachers/support staff) to submit
Free to enter. Entries must be submitted via the online entry form (photo or URL of the artwork must be uploaded).
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