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‘Only in Leicester’ Digital Creative Arts Competition

St Philip’s Centre, supported by a National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) grant, is launching a county-wide digital creative arts competition for schoolchildren across Leicestershire. 
 

The competition invites participants to explore the theme ‘Only in Leicester’, celebrating the diversity, identity, heritage, and community life of the city.
 

This initiative forms part of a wider oral history project named Living Together, and aims to encourage reflection on how people from different backgrounds can live well together.
 

The competition aims to…
 

  • Encourage creative expression among young people across Leicester and Leicestershire

  • Explore identity, belonging, and community cohesion

  • Support interfaith and intercultural understanding

  • Provide an inclusive platform for artistic and written work

  • Create a digital exhibition showcasing young people’s voices
     

The competition will align with Interfaith Week (8th November), supporting dialogue and understanding between different faith and belief communities across the county.
 

The competition’s theme is ‘Only in Leicester’


Participants are invited to interpret this theme creatively, reflecting on:
 

  • What makes Leicester unique

  • Stories of community, belonging, and identity

  • How people from different backgrounds live together well

  • Personal or imagined experiences of Leicester life
     

What to submit
 

Students can create entries that comprise one of the following forms:
 

  • Visual art (2D or 3D models, drawings, paintings, digital artwork created without AI)

  • Poetry

  • Creative prose (maximum 250 words)
     

All entries must include a short written explanation from the artist/creator describing their work and ideas.

Important: No AI-generated work or photography is permitted.
 

Entries can be created individually, in pairs or be a collaborative group submission. 
 

The competition is open to:

  • KS1

  • KS2

  • KS3

  • KS4/KS5

  • Special Schools (all ages and abilities, not restricted by key stage)

  • Home-educated learners

  • Faith groups and community youth settings
     

We encourage flexibility in how work is categorised for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) settings to ensure accessibility and inclusion for all abilities.
 

Entry Limits
 

  • Each school or setting may submit up to 10 entries

  • This includes schools, Special Schools, youth groups, faith groups, and home education networks
     

Safeguarding and Permissions
 

All participating schools and settings must ensure:

  • Appropriate safeguarding policies are followed when collecting and submitting pupil work

  • Parental/guardian permissions are obtained where required

  • Any identifying personal information is handled in line with GDPR and school safeguarding procedures

  • Digital submissions are shared securely via the designated platform (to be confirmed via project webpage)4
     

Submission Process
 

A dedicated competition webpage will be hosted on the project website: www.leicesterlivingtogether.com

Schools will be able to:

  • Upload entries digitally

  • Include supporting text and artist statements

  • Submit multiple entries in one upload (up to the limit of 10)
     

Judging Criteria
 

Entries will be assessed against the St Philip’s Centre values. These are:
 

  • Respect

  • Understanding

  • Dialogue

  • Inclusion

  • Community cohesion
     

Judges will consider:
 

  • Creativity and originality

  • Interpretation of the theme

  • Clarity of expression (appropriate to age/ability)

  • Reflection of community values

  • Emotional and/or intellectual impact
     

Prizes and Recognition
 

  • All participants will receive a digital certificate of participation

  • Selected entries will receive prizes and goody bags

  • Selected participants will be invited to a prize-giving event
     

Deadline
 

The deadline for all submissions is Thursday 9th November 2026

Exhibition Event
 

A celebration event will take place:

Date: Thursday 3rd December
Time: 6:00–7:00pm
Format: Exhibition and prize-giving showcase

Selected young people will be invited to attend.

Thank you! We hope to have as many children as possible taking part in our competition!

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