This Year’s Theme: Building a Better World

The World Bank Group Children’s Art Prize, in collaboration with our Art Program and Family Network, celebrates the creativity of our children, empowering them to envision the future they want while fostering a sense of shared purpose within our global community.

This year’s theme—Building a Better World—invites young people to express their vision of a world where each of them has the opportunity to thrive.

Their artworks should reflect the interdependence of the multiple components (minimum two) that go into "building a better world", such as food, education, jobs, health care, housing, community, clean water, clean air, biodiversity, and other key development topics. These interconnected building blocks are not only vital for individual well-being and success, they are also central to the World Bank Group’s vision of creating "a world free of poverty on a livable planet."

How to Enter

1. Have fun developing entries and exploring the interconnected nature of development.
2. Complete the online submission form.
3. Print the PDF of your completed entry form and include in a flat envelope with artwork (do not fold).
4. Finally, mail or deliver your entry packet (instructions below).

DEADLINE: Hand deliver, submit online (digital art only), or mail your artwork by March 7, 2025,at 5:00pm ET.

Artworks can be submitted to the World Bank Group headquarters or respective country offices.

To submit artwork:

• Headquarters: Bring your submission to the Art Program in MC1-749 (Next to Staff Association offices).
• Country Office: Country Offices should mail the artworks via Diplomatic Pouch – category “Educational Material”.
  • Contact: Matthew Burke – Registrar Art Program – MSN MC1-109 1818 H Street NW Washington DC, 20433 USA

• Digital Artwork: Submit directly through the online form. Instructions below.

Eligibility:

• Participants must be children of World Bank Group employees (an employee is anyone with a UPI number).
• Participants must be between 3 and 18 years old.
• Entries should be made by individuals only, no group or collaborative entries.

Submission Requirements:

• Only one submission per child will be accepted.
• If multiple children from the same family are applying, each child must have their own application form.
• Your child’s submission must be their own (e.g., they may not submit someone else’s work as their own).
• Entries with text or characters will not be accepted.
• Entries that advocate for a political party, movement, or belief will not be accepted.
• Entries must be hand delivered or postmarked byFriday, March 7, 2025. Submissions delivered or postmarked after the deadline will not be accepted.

Technical Requirements:

• Physical Artwork (paint, drawing, photography, collage, etc.): The artwork should be submitted on A4 or 8.5 x 11-inch paper or thin cardboard only.
• Digital Artwork (digital photography, AI, design, etc.): If the submission is digital, a minimum resolution of 1200 x 630 pixels is required.

Artwork that does not meet the eligibility and technical requirements will not be displayed or judged.

Please note that artworks will not be returned.

Judging:

• Clarity & Adherence to Theme: Does the artwork clearly convey a message related to building a better world?
• Creativity & Originality: Does the artwork show unique and imaginative ideas related to the theme? 
• Overall Artistic Impression: What is the overall impact of the artwork in its technique, composition, and presentation? 
• Interconnectedness: Does the artwork represent and connect multiple development components (a minimum of two components is required)? [example: the connection between healthcare and education.]

Selection of Winners:  

• The Grand Prize Winner: The artwork with the most total points.  
• Overall Winners: The top 3 artworks with the highest overall score across all age categories. 
• Age Group Winners: The top 3 artworks in each age group, based on cumulative scores. 
• Honorable Mentions: The top 20 runners-up. 

Artists cannot win in multiple categories. For example, the grand prize winner will not also be the age group winner.

Prizes & Awards:

• All submitted artworks will be displayed in a special exhibition during the 2025 Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., and all artists will receive a certificate of participation.
• The Grand Prize Winner’s artwork will be featured on the 2025 World Bank holiday card, which is distributed to heads of state, business leaders, and officials worldwide.
• Overall and age group winners (3-6 years old, 7-12, 13-18) will have their art displayed in the World Bank President’s Office throughout 2025 and receive a special certificate from the World Bank Group President.
• The grand prize, overall and age group winners will be included in the 2026 World Bank Group Calendar, which will be available through storefront.
• Honorable Mentions will be displayed in the World Bank Family Network’s office in Washington, D.C.
• Top point earners will be featured in the coffee table book that is presented to heads of state and global leaders as official diplomatic gifts from the World Bank Group.
• Artworks may be included in World Bank Group publications throughout the year and the artists will be credited.