Spirited Arts Competition: A Parent Guide

Spirited Arts Competition: A Parent Guide

Editorial overview

Spirited Arts is a long-running cross-curricular competition organised by the National Association of Teachers of Religious Education, with RE Today providing management support. Now in its 23rd year, the programme has attracted hundreds of thousands of entries and reached schools well beyond the UK. Its significance is not based on a narrow academic ranking. The competition gives pupils a way to explore religious education, belief, spirituality and big human questions through art, writing, music, drama or digital media.

That breadth is also the reason the competition should not be treated as a general art contest with a religious label added afterwards. Each entry needs to respond meaningfully to one of the set themes and include a commentary of up to 400 words. Judges are looking for work that is original, well-crafted and genuinely strong in religious education. A beautiful image without a thoughtful connection to the question may therefore be less successful than a modestly produced piece that communicates a precise insight.

The school-based structure is central to the experience. Pupils can work individually, in pairs, groups, classes or wider school communities, while each school selects up to ten entries for submission. This makes Spirited Arts useful for a RE unit, an arts week or a project that brings together students with different strengths. It also means families should understand that entry is usually organised through the school rather than as a private individual submission.

We rate Spirited Arts at Advanced Level. The creative formats are flexible, but the competition expects a mature relationship between artistic choices, religious understanding and written explanation, and the school must select a limited number of entries. It is particularly suitable for students who enjoy art, theology, philosophy, literature, ethics or cultural studies and want to express ideas through more than one medium.

Quick Facts

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What Is Spirited Arts Really About?

Spirited Arts asks students to make art that explores meaningful questions. These might be about faith, hope, animals, the Earth, scripture, identity, wisdom, suffering, community or moral responsibility.

The official 2026 page explains that judges look for entries that respond well to one of the themes, are original, well crafted, and show excellent RE. That last part matters. A beautiful picture with no clear connection to the theme may be weaker than a simpler piece with thoughtful religious or ethical insight.

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Who Should Enter?

This competition is suitable for:

• pupils who enjoy art, design, photography, poetry, digital art or mixed media
• students who like RE, philosophy, ethics or worldviews
• younger children who express ideas more easily through images than essays
• older students interested in identity, justice, community, environment or belief
• schools looking for a creative RE project

Because entries can be individual, paired, group or class-based, it can work well as a school project.

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What Can Students Submit?

The official page says entries should include:

• a piece of art, which can be physical, literary or created using technology
• a written commentary of up to 400 words

The commentary is important. It should explain how the work connects to the theme and what the student is trying to say.

Possible media include:

• painting
• drawing
• collage
• sculpture
• photography
• digital art
• poetry or visual text
• mixed media
• class installations

The medium should support the idea.

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How to Prepare

1. Choose the Theme Carefully

Students should not rush to draw before thinking. They should first choose the theme that genuinely sparks a response.

Useful questions:

• What does this theme make me think about?
• Which belief, story, quote or worldview connects to it?
• What question do I want the viewer to ask?
• What feeling should the artwork create?

2. Connect Art and RE

The entry needs both creativity and religious/worldview thinking. Students can draw on:

• religious texts or stories
• ethical teachings
• non-religious worldviews
• community experiences
• questions about justice or care
• symbols and rituals
• personal reflection, where appropriate

3. Write the Commentary Early

Many students treat the 400-word commentary as an afterthought. It should not be. The commentary can clarify the meaning of the artwork and show the thinking behind it.

A good commentary explains:

• which theme the work answers
• what the artwork shows
• which religious, ethical or worldview ideas inspired it
• why the chosen materials or symbols matter
• what the student wants viewers to understand

4. Make It Original

Judges are likely to see many similar images. Students should avoid copying common symbols without adding their own interpretation. A cross, dove, globe, candle or rainbow can work, but only if used thoughtfully.

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How Difficult Is It?

The competition is accessible, but strong entries require thought. Younger pupils can enter with simpler work; older students should aim for more depth.

For older students, the challenge is to avoid making the work purely decorative. They should show a serious engagement with the theme and explain it clearly.

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Key Takeaways

Spirited Arts Competition: A Parent Guide is best understood as an advanced-level opportunity with advanced skill demand, open entry and substantial preparation. Spirited Arts is a broad RE and arts competition for pupils aged 3-19, suitable for students who want to express ideas about religion, worldviews, ethics and community through creative work. Entries can be individual, paired, group, class, year-group or whole-school efforts, and each must include artwork plus a written commentary of up to 400 words. Spirited Arts is especially useful for students who connect visual creativity with reflective thinking, ethics, religion, philosophy or community issues.

Final Thoughts

Spirited Arts is a lovely competition for students who think visually. It gives them a way to explore difficult ideas without writing a formal essay. For the right student, it can reveal maturity, empathy and imagination in a format that feels personal and expressive.

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CompeteMap listing

For the current eligibility, dates and official links, see the corresponding CompeteMap listing:

• Spirited Arts Competition