Schools across Bath, Wiltshire and Bristol are once again being invited to showcase their pupils’ creativity through Art Bytes, the national art competition returning for its fifth year.
Open to pupils in Years 5 and 9 at all schools in England, Art Bytes combines a national art competition with a virtual gallery and regional celebration events at leading cultural venues. More than 6,800 students from 273 schools have taken part to date, and over 200 schools are expected to join the 2026 programme.
Previous participants from this region include Weston All Saints Primary School in Bath; Hillcrest Primary School and Mangotsfield School in Bristol; and, from Wiltshire, Lyneham Primary, Ivy Lane, Monkton Park, Wilton CE Primary, Devizes School, Abbeyfield, Hardenhuish, Sheldon and Silverwood schools.
Entries are shortlisted for a public vote, with regional and national winners chosen by a panel of judges that includes professional artists, educators and representatives from the National Society for Education in Art and Design.
Lucy Byrne, managing director of Art Bytes, said, “The Art Bytes programme is inclusive, accessible and supportive, and proves that art really is for everyone. Giving children the opportunity to build confidence, showcase talent and rightly feel proud of their achievements, is a wonderful gift for a school to give its pupils.”
The competition culminates in celebration events at major arts venues including Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge, The Saatchi Gallery in London and The Henry Moore Institute in Leeds. A virtual gallery also allows schools to display student submissions and encourage family and community engagement through online voting.
Penny Hamilton of Monkton Park Primary School in Chippenham, explained, “Art Bytes has become an integral part of our school calendar. The children promoted the voting this year which was wonderful. They led an assembly, planned a gallery event for parents to see the artwork and vote, and made banners and information booklets for parents.”
Representation from SEND schools continues to grow, with two of the eight overall competition winners so far coming from SEND settings.
Schools can register until 31 December, ahead of submitting artwork by February half term 2026. Full details are available at artbytes.co.uk/registration.
