CALLING ALL YOUNG CREATIVES LIVING WITH DIABETES!
OPEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING WITH DIABETES
2D ARTWORK ONLY (DRAWING, PAINTING, MIXED MEDIA, ETC.)
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE NO LARGER THAN A4
AGES 3 TO 20 YEARS
ENTRIES CLOSE AUGUST 4TH 2026 !
Youth Art Awards 2026 Exhibition & Awards
The Youth Art Awards 2026 celebrates the creativity, talent and lived experiences of young people living with, or affected by, diabetes. The program aims to foster artistic expression, encourage emerging talent, and create opportunities for young artists to share their stories with a global audience.
The Youth Art Awards 2026 is proudly sponsored by Insulin For Life and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Together, these organisations are supporting a unique opportunity for young people living with, or affected by, diabetes to share their stories through art, celebrate their creativity, and have their work showcased before an international audience at the IDF-WPR Congress 2026, ADC 2026 and Metabolic Diseases 2026 in Melbourne.
What
Selected submissions from the Youth Art Awards 2026 will be exhibited as part of the IDF-WPR Congress 2026, ADC 2026 and Metabolic Diseases 2026. The exhibition will showcase finalist artworks across all competition categories, highlighting the unique perspectives, experiences and creativity of young people impacted by diabetes.
When
18–21 August 2026
The exhibition will be on display throughout the duration of the Congress.
Where
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Thousands of delegates, healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates and community members from Australia, the Western Pacific region and around the world will attend the Congress, providing an exceptional platform for young artists to have their work viewed by an international audience.
Judging Panel
Artwork submissions will be assessed by a panel of professional artists and creative practitioners living with diabetes, alongside representatives from the diabetes community.
The judging process is designed not only to recognise artistic excellence but also to foster creativity, encourage emerging talent, and support the development of young artists within the global diabetes community. Judges will consider creativity, originality, artistic merit, and the ability of each work to communicate a meaningful story or perspective.
Exhibition & Awards Presentation
Finalist artworks will be exhibited throughout the Congress, allowing delegates and visitors to engage with the stories and experiences they express.
Award winners will be announced during the Closing Session of the Congress on Friday, 21 August 2026.
Awards will be presented for:
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Best Artwork in each competition category
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People's Choice Award, determined by votes from Congress delegates and exhibition visitors
The announcement of finalists and award recipients will celebrate the outstanding talent, creativity and contribution of young people whose artwork helps raise awareness, foster connection, reduce stigma, and share lived experiences of diabetes with the wider community.
The Youth Art Awards 2026 aims to leave a lasting legacy by inspiring young people, promoting inclusion, nurturing emerging artistic talent, and showcasing the power of art to connect communities across cultures and borders. Through the generous support of Insulin For Life and the International Diabetes Federation, the Awards provide a unique platform for young people affected by diabetes to have their voices heard and their creativity celebrated on a global stage.
CATEGORIES
EARLY
3 - 5 YEARS
JUNIOR
6 - 11 YEARS
TEEN
12 - 15 YEARS
OLDER TEEN
16 - 20 YEARS
Meet the Jury
Behind every service we provide is a dedicated team of professionals, each bringing their unique expertise and enthusiasm to our business.
Taylor Appleton Lawrence
Activist + Street Artist
Robert Lee Davis
Mixed Media Artist
About Youth Art Awards 2026
Diabetes doesn’t discriminate — it affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and communities. For children and young people living with diabetes, it is part of a daily journey that is unique to each individual.
But diabetes does not define who you are.
Art is a powerful way to tell your story. It allows you to express your feelings, share your experiences, and show the world what your journey looks like — in your own creative voice.
This competition is a supportive and inspiring platform for children and youth living with diabetes to celebrate their creativity, build confidence, and connect with others who understand their experience. It’s a space to be seen, heard, and represented.
By sharing your artwork, you help create positive representations of life with diabetes and shine a light on young people who are living creatively, confidently, and courageously. Together, we can inspire others and show that diabetes is just one part of a much bigger, vibrant story.
Your voice matters. Your story matters. Your creativity matters.
Witness the dedication and creativity of our young artists as they bring their visions to life. Every brushstroke tells a story.