National Art Programme for Schools Opens Registrations for 2026 Competition
London, United Kingdom – Art Bytes, an inclusive national art programme for school years 5 and 9, has announced the opening of registrations for its 2026 competition for schools across England.
Since its inception, Art Bytes has garnered significant attention and participation, with over 6,825 students from 273 schools entering the competition to date. As more schools recognize the benefits and boost it provides to students, the number of entries has doubled each year, with over 200 schools expected to participate in 2026.
Open to all schools in England, Art Bytes has implemented a national voting system for its shortlist. A panel of judges, including representatives from the educational sector, professional artists, and the National Society of Education in Art and Design (NSEAD), will select regional and national winners.
Past winners of the programme, including James Murphy, have gone on to achieve success in their chosen careers, with Murphy citing his win in the art competition as the catalyst for his confidence and drive to pursue his passion.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised to “place the arts back where they belong,” and the government’s upcoming Curriculum and Assessment Review is expected to confirm the importance of art education. However, despite the widely acknowledged benefits of arts in a child’s education, investment in arts education has been on the decline. Recent research by AccessArt has shown that the average spend on a primary school student is as little as £1.80 per year.
Lucy Byrne, managing director of Art Bytes, stated, “The Art Bytes programme is inclusive, accessible, and supportive, proving that art is for everyone. Giving children the opportunity to build confidence, showcase talent, and feel proud of their achievements is a wonderful gift for schools to give their students. In a time where arts are underfunded and underrepresented, it is vital that students are not deprived of art during their formative years. Every child deserves to see themselves as creative, and we are proud of the role Art Bytes plays in achieving that.”
The competition culminates in events at high-profile arts venues across England, such as Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge, The Saatchi Gallery in London, and The Henry Moore Institute in Leeds. This exposure in leading galleries and museums helps to break down the notion that the world of art is exclusive and open only to those from privileged backgrounds. Art Bytes aims to show that students from all backgrounds, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds and with special educational needs, can excel in the arts.
A virtual gallery allows schools to display their students’ submissions and encourages friends and family to vote for them, uniting the wider school community in participating.
Penny Hamilton, from Monkton Park Primary School in Wiltshire, shared her experience, stating, “Art Bytes has become an integral part of our school calendar. The children promoted the voting this year, which was wonderful. They led an assembly, planned a gallery event for parents to see the artwork and vote, and made banners and information booklets for parents.”
The representation of students from schools for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Art Bytes has been increasingly strong, with two of the eight overall competition winners to date coming from SEND schools. Paula Morgan, Assistant Head Teacher at Crosby High School in Merseyside, expressed her pride in her students’ participation, “As our pupils are all SEN, I am very protective of them and was wary of submitting their work and having it judged against mainstream pupils. How wrong I was! I was beyond proud to see them competing and holding their own in this forum, and will definitely ensure they participate every year.”
Schools can easily register for Art Bytes online for a small fee that covers all of the school’s entrants. Teachers are encouraged to sign up before 31 December to ensure their school’s inclusion. Submissions of students’ artwork must be made by February 2026 half-term.
About Art Bytes
Art Bytes is a national art and EdTech programme for Year 5 and Year 9 students in all educational settings. It combines an inter-school art competition with a bespoke, immersive virtual gallery and in-person Celebration Events at cultural venues across England. With 13 years of experience in the North West, Art Bytes has proven to nurture talent, raise ambition, and develop confidence, cultural capital, and vital skills for future employment. The programme gives young participants the opportunity to have their art displayed online and engage with new technology from the safety and convenience of their own home or school. It also allows them to view galleries and museums as accessible places and encourages future cultural engagement.
After a shortlisting panel and an online public vote, the winning artist from each school sees their work displayed in Art Bytes’ virtual gallery. The programme culminates in June with a Celebration Event at a high-profile cultural venue in each of the nine regions of England, which is available for schools to live stream or play back
