The Visual Arts Quest

Free Entry | Ages 16+ | Online Worldwide | Prize valued at $1,000 AUD | Registration: 1 July–31 July 2026 | Submission Deadline: 26 September 2026 | Winners Announced: 4 October 2026

To Write Art presents a Visual Arts Quest — a challenge designed not only to test creative ability, but to push the way artists think. The Quest is presented as a written framework grounded in conceptual and philosophical depth. It is designed to be read, considered, and engaged with — not simply completed.

The top three artists will be recognised through published written features highlighting their artistic background, practice, and creative journey. Each feature will be based on a short written statement (approximately 250 words) provided by the artist and published on the To Write Art website and social platforms.

All three winners will receive a Certificate of Achievement. The first prize winner will also receive access to one To Write Art program of their choice, valued at $1,000 AUD.

Prize Structure

• 1st Prize: Access to one To Write Art program of choice, valued at $1,000 AUD | Certificate of Achievement | A winner will be featured on the To Write Art website and social platforms
• 2nd Prize: Certificate of Achievement | A winner will be featured on the To Write Art website and social platforms
• 3rd Prize: Certificate of Achievement | A winner will be featured on the To Write Art website and social platforms

The program awarded to the first prize winner is provided for personal use and may be engaged with at any time and entirely on the recipient’s own terms. It is offered as an invitation, not a requirement. There are no compulsory start dates, deadlines, or obligations to complete the program.

This is not just a competition, but an evolving platform where new winners are recognised and new Quests are introduced each year.

Registrations are now closed!

Thank you to everyone who registered for the To Write Art – The Making of Genius Visual Arts Quest 2026. Registration for this year's Quest is now closed. To everyone who has registered, we wish you the very best as you complete your artwork. We look forward to receiving your submissions and seeing your creative responses to this year's Quest.

Not Registered?
Unfortunately, if you did not register during the registration period (1 July – 31 July 2026), your artwork cannot be accepted for this year's Visual Arts Quest. We sincerely thank you for your interest and hope you will join us for next year's Quest.

If You Have Already Registered
If you have not yet downloaded your copy of the Visual Arts Quest, or if you have misplaced it, you may download it below until the submission deadline. Please read the Quest Topic, complete the Task, and create one original artwork specifically in response to the Quest.

Submission deadline:
Midnight, 26 September 2026 (Melbourne, Australia time).

Submit Your Artwork
When your artwork is complete, please email it to: towriteart@hotmail.com
Artwork must be submitted in JPEG or PNG format. Please submit only your final artwork. Do not include the Visual Arts Quest document or your responses to the reflection questions.

Download the Visual Arts Quest

Download Quest

What Happens After Submission Deadline?
Once the submission deadline has passed, the following process will take place:

27 September – 3 October 2026
All eligible submitted artworks will be reviewed by the independent judging panel, and the winners will be selected.

4 October 2026
The three winners will be contacted via email. The winners will also be officially announced on the To Write Art Instagram page, recognising the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place recipients. Each winner will receive a digital Certificate recognising their winning place.

5 October 2026
The First Prize winner will receive access to their chosen To Write Art program through a secure download link valued at AUD $1,000.

6 – 13 October 2026
The three winners will be invited to provide an approximately 250-word biography sharing their background, artistic practice, and creative journey.

14 – 21 October 2026
During this period, the winners’ artworks and written biographies will be published on the To Write Art website and shared through To Write Art social platforms. Participants’ artworks will also be uploaded to the To Write Art website and Instagram if they selected this option during registration and their artwork was not selected as a winning entry.

Questions?
If you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at: towriteart@hotmail.com

Independent Judging Panel

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our selected independent judging panel, who will review all submissions and determine the winners of the 2026 The Making of Genius Visual Arts Quest.

Isabeau Lynagh –  Isabeau Lynagh is a passionate creator, artist, and art appreciator with a lifelong love for creative expression. Working across various mediums, she is a local photography award winner and a consecutive contributor to the Incognito Art Show charity exhibition. She firmly believes the world needs more constructive self expression and views art as the ultimate medium to foster connection.

Matt Benson Parry – Matt has a Bachelors Degree in Fine Art (Studio Art) from the University of Western Australia 2006, and a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education with a Double Major in Visual Arts and History from Murdoch University 2021. He has been an exhibiting, professional visual artist since 1999 and has been shown in numerous group and solo shows around the world, and has works in collections in Portugal, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the US. His current show "SENONES", exploring Indigeneity, is on at Ellenbrook Arts HQ from September to October 2026.

Raneen Wardy – Raneen Wardy is a Melbourne based abstract artist, art teacher and colour analysis consultant. She believes being creative is an essential part of life and can be seen in her work, clothing and thoughts around life. Wardy aims to bring this joy of art and creativity to her students and clients. 

Terms and Conditions

1. Promoter

This competition is conducted by To Write Art, operating in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. All official communication regarding this Quest will be issued from: towriteart@hotmail.com

2. About the Visual Arts Quest

  • The To Write Art – The Making of Genius – Visual Arts Quest 2026 is an online, skill-based visual arts competition designed to challenge creative thinking, encourage independent artistic development, and recognise original artistic achievement.

  • Participants are invited to complete the official Quest challenge and submit an original artwork within the specified timeframe.

  • The Learning Objectives, Reflective Process, and Helpful Hints provided within the Quest are developmental tools. They are optional and do not limit creative direction.

3. Eligibility

  • Entry is free, open to individuals aged 16 years and over.

  • Participants under the legal age of majority in their country of residence must have written consent from a parent or legal guardian.

  • Employees, contractors, or immediate family members of To Write Art may not enter.

  • Participants may submit only one entry.

4. Registration and Entry Process
To enter, participants must:

  • Complete the official registration form online.

  • Provide all required information accurately.

  • Download and complete the official Quest challenge.

  • Submit the completed artwork before the closing date.

  • Online registration will remain open for 30 days from the published opening date. After this period, registration will close.

  • All participants will have from the date of registration until 26 September 2026 to complete and submit their artwork.

  • Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

  • All times are based on Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (AEST or AEDT as applicable).

5. Submission Requirements
All submitted work must:

  • Be the original work of the participant.

  • Not infringe copyright, trademark, or any intellectual property rights.

  • Not contain unlawful, defamatory, offensive, discriminatory, or culturally inappropriate material.

  • Be created specifically for this Quest.

  • Not have been previously awarded in another competition.

  • Not be generated solely by artificial intelligence without substantial human creative direction.

  • To Write Art reserves the right to request reasonable proof of authorship.

6. Judging Process

  • All eligible entries will be reviewed by a selected independent judging panel.

  • Judging will be based on originality, conceptual depth, creative interpretation, and alignment with the Quest challenge.

  • The decision of the judging panel is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

  • Winners will be determined within 7 days after the submission closing date.

  • This is a skill-based competition. No element of chance is involved in the selection of winners.

7. Awards and Recognition
The following awards will be granted to winning participants:

First Place

  • Official To Write Art Certificate of Achievement

  • Access to one To Write Art program of choice

  • A winner will be featured on the To Write Art website and social platforms

Second Place

  • Official To Write Art Certificate of Achievement

  • A winner will be featured on the To Write Art website and social platforms

Third Place

  • Official To Write Art Certificate of Achievement

  • A winner will be featured on the To Write Art website and social platforms

First Prize is not transferable, redeemable for cash, or exchangeable.

8. Intellectual Property and Usage Rights

  • All participants retain full ownership and copyright of their artwork at all times.

  • By entering the competition, participants grant To Write Art a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to:

  • Display submitted works, with permission, on the To Write Art website and official social media platforms.

  • Publish winning works alongside written profiles that share their artistic background, practice, and creative journey.

  • Submitted artworks will NOT be sold, licensed to third parties, or commercially reproduced.

  • Participants may request removal of their artwork after the promotional period by written request to towriteart@hotmail.com.

9. Non-Winning Entries
During registration, participants will be given the option to:

  • Permit their work to be displayed if not selected as a winner; or

  • Request that their submission remain private.

  • If a participant chooses not to have their work displayed and does not win, their submission and personal data will be deleted within 30 days after the winner announcement.

10. Privacy and Personal Information
Personal information collected during registration will be used solely for:

  • Administering the competition

  • Contacting participants

  • Awarding certificates and program access

  • Information will not be sold or shared with third parties except where required by law.

  • By entering, participants consent to the use of their name and artwork for promotional purposes if selected as a winner.

  • To Write Art handles all personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.

11. Disqualification
To Write Art reserves the right to disqualify any participant who:

  • Provides false or misleading information.

  • Breaches intellectual property laws.

  • Submits work that is not their own.

  • Fails to comply with these Terms and Conditions.

  • If a winner is disqualified, the award may be withdrawn and reassigned to the next eligible entrant.

12. Technical Issues
To Write Art is not responsible for:

  • Technical malfunctions.

  • Lost, late, misdirected, or corrupted submissions.

  • Internet or server interruptions.

  • Email delivery failures.

  • Participants are responsible for ensuring their submission is received before the deadline.

13. Limitation of Liability

  • To the extent permitted by Australian law, To Write Art is not liable for any loss, damage, or injury suffered as a result of participation in this competition or acceptance of an award.

  • Participation is at the entrant's own risk.

14. Cancellation or Modification
To Write Art reserves the right to:

  • Modify these Terms and Conditions.

  • Extend or shorten deadlines.

  • Cancel or suspend the competition if circumstances beyond its control arise.

  • Any changes will be published on the official To Write Art website and social media platforms.

15. Governing Law
This competition is governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. Any disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Victoria.

To Write Art | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
towriteart@hotmail.com