The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI) is inviting young artists across the nation to submit original artwork that represents their idea of a safe and welcoming Church.
The competition, entitled “A Safe and Welcoming Church Children and Young Person’s Art Competition” is open for the month of September, with September 30 the last day to submit artwork. Entries will be divided into four categories based on age group. Anyone 18 and under can submit their work for consideration.
The inspiration for the competition is the revision of the Church’s child safeguarding policy, published by the NBSCCCI in 2024. According to the board, the revision presents the “most up-to-date, best practice guidance that all members of the Catholic Church in Ireland should adhere to to ensure that all ministry with children is safe.” NBSCCCI hopes that this competition can allow young members of the Church to have an artistic say in what the Church means to them.
Judges will include representatives from NBSCCCI, AMRI, and IEC. All entries will be displayed at St Patrick’s College Maynooth from October 5 to November 1, with the prize-giving taking place on November 1. All art submissions must be original.
