International Emerging Artists’ Challenge

International Emerging Artists’ Challenge (IEAC)

At DNA, we are committed to combating climate change through creative action. To further support environmental sustainability, we plan to plant a tree for every two entries we receive from your school. This is a meaningful way to honor biodiversity and contribute to a healthier planet. This year, we want the students to dive into the beauty of the birds, blooms and balance! Inspired by the beauty and harmony of nature, the theme encourages young artists to explore the interconnectedness of life, birds, flowers, and their shared ecosystems—and to envision a balanced, biodiverse future for our planet.

Theme

The theme for this year is;
“Nature’s Patterns“

Nature’s Patterns are the quiet rhythms and repeated movements that exist all around us. They can be found in the way leaves grow, how water flows, how clouds shift, how seasons change, or how light and shadows move throughout the day. Some patterns are clearly visible, while others are subtle or felt rather than seen. Nature’s patterns are not always perfect or symmetrical, they can be messy, flowing, layered, or constantly changing, just like life itself.

This theme invites students to notice, interpret, and respond to these patterns in their own way. Nature can be observed closely or remembered, imagined, or felt emotionally. Patterns might appear as lines, shapes, colors, textures, or rhythms, or as moods and movements inspired by the natural world. There is no fixed way to represent nature here, the focus is on personal expression and creative exploration, allowing each artwork to reflect how the artist experiences nature.

Rules & Guidelines

Following guidelines need to be carefully adhered to when submitting an artwork(s) for the International Emerging Artists’ Challenge (IEAC);

Age Limit: The eligibility of participants ranges from 6 – 18 years of age.
Artworks must be reflective of the contest’s themes of ‘Nature’s Patterns‘.
Work must be original. Posters cannot include any copyrighted images or materials.
Submissions: Artworks must be created by the entrant only. One participant can submit 2 entries only with a separate submission fee for each entry.
Size: Artworks must be A3 Size (12” x 17”) paper. Any other sizes will be automatically disqualified.
All 2D entries are welcome. Please note 3D posters will automatically be disqualified.
Mediums: Any mediums for two-dimensional artwork can be used (pens, markers, paint, etc). Please keep in mind that bright colors and bold letters and shapes are generally easier to see on artworks.
Submission Forms: Works of art must be labeled using the artwork submission form which should be filled in fully and neatly.
Any artwork having a name on the front will be disqualified.
Any artwork received with incomplete or without the submission form will not be accepted.
Judging: The entries will be judged by a panel of senior jury artists. The entries will be judged on the basis of originality, creativity and imagination, relevance to the theme, and visual impact.
Intellectual Rights: Discovering New Artists reserves copyrights on all submitted pieces. No artwork & entry fee will be returned or refundable.
All work will become the property of the Discovering New Artists which may use, sell, or exhibit them for promotion and within its own programs and activities.
Mailing Art Entries: All schools are responsible for submitting a separate list of participants in order to receive the participation certificates. In order to avoid spelling errors and additional courier charges, DNA will provide blank participation certificates to the schools.
Discovering New Artists is not responsible if some works do not reach them.
Announcement: The results will be announced on our website and Facebook page. All the selected school entries will be notified through their school emails. Only individual entries will be notified on their emails. Non-selected entrants will not be notified of the results.
Fee once submitted will be not be returned or refunded.
No registration will be accepted without complete School Registration Form/Individual Registration Form, and Artwork Submission Form (download all from our website)
In Artwork Submission Form (to be pasted at the back of each artwork), school branch should be same as mentioned in School Registration Form/Individual Registration Form.

Judging Criteria

Judging will be based on the following criteria

1. Originality 2. Creativity 3. Relevance to Theme 4. Visual Impact

Prizes & Accolades

Awards and Prizes for Winners and Runner-ups

18 cash prizes will be awarded to the 3 top winners from each of the following six categories (Category I – VI). Prizes for 4th and 5th Winners, and Runners-ups.

1st Prize: PKR 5,000/- + Featured Artist on DNA Global Art Gallery (Online) + Medal
2nd Prize: PKR 4,000/- + Featured Artist on DNA Global Art Gallery (Online) + Medal
3rd Prize: PKR 3,000/- + Featured Artist on DNA Global Art Gallery (Online) + Medal
4th Prize – 10th Prize: A Pack of 8 Postcards + Featured Artist on DNA Global Art Gallery (Online) + Medal

IEAC Runner-ups: All IEAC runner-ups will receive a special Distinction Certificate and an exclusive IEAC Medal
IEAC Special Mentions: All IEAC Special Mentions will receive an exclusive IEAC Special Mention Badge.
All participating students will receive a participation certificate.

IEAC Climate Action Awards for School Principals/ Coordinators/ Art Teachers

Upon submitting a minimum of 100 entries from each school.
- The School Principal, Coordinator, and Art Teacher will receive a special Climate Action Award Certificate.
- Each Art Teacher submitting a minimum of 150 entries from each campus will receive a cash honorarium of Rs. 5,000/-

Submission Deadline (Extended)

You can submit your artwork(s) by

Friday, 13th March 2026

No artworks will be accepted after the deadline

Submission Process

Submission Fee:

For School Submissions:
Fee per Art Entry: PKR 1,000/-
Discount: upon 50 entries from each school, the discounted submission fee is PKR 950/-

For Individual Submissions
Fee Per Art Entry: PKR 2,000/-

Fee Procedure

For all cities in Pakistan, the fee can only be submitted in the following ways;

1. Direct Online Transfer/ IBFT/ Bank Deposit/ Demand Draft/Cross-Cheque drawn in the name of ‘Discovering New Artists’.

2. Internet Banking Funds Transfer (IBFT)
Bank Name: Bank Alfalah Limited
Account Title: Discovering New Artists
IBAN # PK82ALFH0146001006788202

Bank Name: Faysal Bank Limited
Account Title: Discovering New Artists
IBAN # PK14FAYS3152787000002194

Note: Demand Draft and/or IBFT receipt should be delivered along with the artwork submission.

*No artworks/school submissions will be accepted without the School Registration Forms.

Submission Address:

Attach the artwork submission forms at the back of the artworks and fill out the school registration form (only for school submissions) and send your entries along with the fee receipt to the following address;

Attn:
Ms. Sidra Ali (Programmes Director)
International Emerging Artists’ Challenge (IEAC)
Discovering New Artists (DNA)
50-E, Sui Gas Society (Near DHA Phase V)
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92 322 4102159

International Emerging Artists’ Challenge