Are you ready to explore "Life Under the Microscope"?
We're inviting secondary school students across the Liverpool City Region to create original artwork inspired by this year's theme. This is your chance to explore what lies behind the things we see every day, and to connect with the fascinating world of health and life sciences innovation happening right here in Liverpool.
The Theme: "Life Under the Microscope" can be interpreted in many ways. You could explore the literal hidden world of cells, microorganisms, and scientific discovery, or take a more personal and imaginative approach. What does it mean to live "under the microscope" as an individual? As part of our community? As a student? There's no single correct answer, just your unique perspective.
Get inspired: Think about the work of scientists and researchers at institutions like the University of Liverpool and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Explore real microorganisms under magnification. Consider what pressures or scrutiny young people face today. Imagine invisible worlds inside our bodies. Let your creativity lead you.
Media: You can choose to create a painting, drawing, mixed media or digital artwork, but it must be 2D and no use of AI please.
What you could win:
- £100 art materials voucher for the winner
- £25 art materials vouchers for each of 4 runners-up
- A custom trophy
- Your artwork projected across the walls of CENTRAL TECH and celebrated at our exhibition event in November 2026
For winning schools: The winning school's art department receives £500 to support future creative projects.
How to enter: Submit your artwork by completing the form below by 22nd May 2026. Year 7 to Year 11 can enter the competition.
Questions? Contact schools@dot-art.com
Who’s behind the competition?
This competition is brought to you by Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, an innovation district that brings together universities, hospitals, and businesses across Liverpool. They're dedicated to inspiring young people like you to explore careers in science, health, and innovation, and to build a skilled workforce for the Liverpool City Region. This competition is part of the KQ Futures programme which is co-funded by the LCR Life Sciences Innovation Zone, which aspires to create 8,000 new innovation-led jobs. They're being helped by dot-art, a local social enterprise dedicated to supporting artists of all ages.