01.09.2025: Challenge Community Services is calling on budding artists from across Australia to showcase their creativity in the 18th annual Art Competition, with the competition opening for entries on 1 September 2025.
The online competition is open nationwide and celebrates the talents of people with disability and children and young people living in out-of-home care, offering an important and unique platform for self-expression through art.
This year’s theme, “My Happy Place,” invites entrants to capture the places, real or imagined, that bring them joy, comfort, or peace. Works can include painting, drawing, photography, or sculpture, so long as they can be photographed and submitted digitally.
Julie May, Executive Director of Community Services at Challenge, said the competition is a highlight of the year.
“Our annual art competition is always a highlight on the Challenge calendar. It brings out incredible creativity and showcases some truly spectacular pieces. We can’t wait to see how entrants interpret this year’s theme, ‘My Happy Place.’”
Avid painter and 2023 winner, Megan Looby from Muswellbrook, NSW eagerly awaits the announcement of the art show theme each year, and says the event is a must enter.
“I enjoy the art competition as it’s a fun way to express myself. I always like the topics each year and love taking my time to create my work.”
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson has praised the Challenge Art Competition, highlighting its value to the community,
“The Challenge Art Competition is a great way for local artists to express their creativity and produce something special. This is a great competition run by Challenge, showcasing the diverse and brilliant creativity of our community. I congratulate Challenge for hosting the Art Competition again and look forward to seeing what great artworks the competition produces!”
Categories and Prizes
With a total prize pool of $3000, there’s plenty of opportunity to secure a prize! Seven winners are chosen by the judges and seven People’s Choice winners will each receive a $200 Eftpos gift card. One lucky ‘People’s Choice’ voter will also win $200.
2025 Categories include:
- People with Disability (0–12, 13–18, 19–35, 36–50, 51+)
- Children in Out-of-Home Care (0–12)
- Young People in Out-of-Home Care (13–18)
Key Dates
- Entries open: 1 September 2025
- Entries close: 12 October 2025
- Public voting (People’s Choice) opens: 27 October 2025
- Voting closes: 17 November 2025
- Winners announced: 25 November 2025
Entries can be submitted via the website
ENDS
For media enquiries, images or commentary, please contact:
Ellen McIver
Senior Account Manager
C7EVEN Communications
0414 137 686
ellen.mciver@c7even.com.au
About Challenge Community Services:
Challenge Community Services provides innovative and people-focused services to the community for over 66 years. Across regional and metropolitan communities, Challenge provides Disability Services, Foster Care, Allied Health and supported employment for people with a disability.
Founded in Tamworth, NSW in 1958, Challenge Community Services is now one of the largest community support services operating in NSW. Challenge operates throughout regional and metropolitan New South Wales, and the greater Brisbane area in Queensland. Our organisation is built on a strong workforce of over 1000 people, including over 90 employees with disability.
Challenge Community Services now supports thousands of people in over 100 communities in NSW and QLD.
