The Visual Arts Quest

Free Entry | Ages 16+ | Online Worldwide | Prize Pool $6,000 AUD | Registration: 1 July–31 July 2026 | Submission Deadline: 26 September 2026 | Winners Announced: 4 October 2026

Each year, 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.

In 2026, we launch our first-ever Quest — The Making of Genius. Winners, along with selected participants (with permission), will be featured on our website and Instagram. The top three artists will be recognised through published written profiles that share their artistic background, practice, and creative journey. These profiles will be based on short written statements (approximately 250 words) provided by each winner and presented on the To Write Art website. Winners will also be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, along with their winning prize.

Prize Structure
• First Prize: Full access to all three To Write Art programs, valued at $3,000 AUD.
• Second Prize: Access to any two To Write Art programs of choice, valued at $2,000 AUD.
• Third Prize: Access to one To Write Art program of choice, valued at $1,000 AUD.

Prize programs are provided for your personal use and can be engaged with entirely on your own terms. They are invitations, not requirements. There are no deadlines, no compulsory start dates, and no obligations to complete anything. You may begin whenever you choose, start with any program in any order, read them for inspiration, work through them in depth, or simply return to them whenever the time feels right.

A selected independent judging panel will review all submissions and determine the winners. This is not just a competition, but an evolving platform. Each year, new winners will be added, and new Quests created.

The Making of Genius – Registration

Online registration is open from 1 July to 31 July 2026.
All artists wishing to participate in this competition must register online below. Submissions from artists who have not registered will not be accepted. Please read the Terms and Conditions, register, and download the Quest. Complete the task, reflect on your work, and then submit your artwork to towriteart@hotmail.com before the closing date: midnight 26 September 2026 (Melbourne, Australia time).

Artworks must be submitted in JPEG or PNG format to towriteart@hotmail.com before midnight 26 September 2026 (Melbourne, Australia time). Please note this is a competition only — all applicants retain full ownership of their work at all times. More information can be found inside the Visual Arts Quest.

Please download your Visual Arts Quest here:

Download Quest
Download Quest

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

  • Full access to all three To Write Art programs

  • A winner will be featured on the To Write Art website with a written profile.

Second Place

  • Official To Write Art Certificate of Achievement

  • Access to two To Write Art programs of choice

  • A winner will be featured on the To Write Art website with a written profile.

Third 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 with a written profile.

Awards are 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