OPEN CALL CREATIVE CHALLENGE
THE FUTURE IS NOW
PRIZE: READY2PRINT ONLINE EXIBITION and 2026 NOTEBOOK
OPEN CALL – THE FUTURE IS NOW
Explore and express your ideas about the future. Create an artwork that captures your interpretation of how the future is happening now.
CREATIVE BRIEF
Project Overview
The world around us is changing faster than ever before. Technology, science, and ideas that once seemed like distant dreams are now a part of our everyday lives. The phrase “The Future is Now” reminds us that we are living in the future that past generations imagined. What does that mean for you?
How do you see the world evolving in real-time? Through this project, you will create an artwork that captures your interpretation of how the future is happening now.
Objective:
This project invites you to explore and express your ideas about the future using any of the following artistic techniques:
- Drawing (pencil, ink, charcoal, markers)
- Painting (watercolor, acrylic, gouache, oil)
- Illustration (digital or hand-drawn)
- Collaging (mixed media, cutouts, layering images and text)
- Photography (digital, analog, experimental techniques)
Your artwork should reflect your personal perspective on how the future is unfolding before us.
Theme Inspiration
Consider these questions to help shape your creative vision:
- What futuristic concepts or technologies do we already have today?
- How is the world around you changing in ways that feel futuristic?
- How do people, cities, nature, and society evolve with time?
- What emotions does the future bring—excitement, fear, hope, curiosity?
- How does technology, science, or innovation shape the way we live?
- What does an ideal future look like to you?
Final Thought:
The future is happening right now, and you are a part of it! Through your artwork, you have the power to show others how you see this incredible, fast-
moving world. Imagine a future where kindness, creativity, and innovation come together to make life better for everyone. Let your imagination take flight and bring
your vision of “The Future is Now” to life!
Technical requirements
Painting, Photo, Illustration / drawing, Digital image
Min resolution of 300 dpi
A4 29.7 x 21.0 cm 3508 x 2480 pixels
A3 42.0 x 29.7 cm 4961 x 3508 pixels
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR SUBMISSION
To be eligible, participants should be of 11 – 18 years old.
The art has to promote creators’ vision on the ideal future and follow creative brief guidelines.
Every submission is reviewed by staff to make sure it is appropriate and does not promote hatred, racism, sexism or violence.
40 artists will be selected to participate in the charity exhibition themed THE FUTURE IS NOW.
14 best works will be selected by the online voting and featured in the 2026 Children’s Artwork Planner.
Each out of the 40 voted participants of the exhibition will receive a planner for 2026 with the publication of the 14 best works, selected during open online voting at the @creative.fellowship Instagram account.
Applications are accepted until May 3, 2025 – art@creativefellowship.org
May 5, 2025 – start of public online voting
May 30, 2025 – winners announcement
August 12, 2025 (International Day of Youth) – Ready2Print online exhibition launch
August 12 – September 5, 2025 (International Day of Charity) – Charity exhibition
Partners:
Prospectis Consulting (France), DOO Bucim Radovish (N.Macedonia), Municipality of Radovish (N.Macedonia), Le Salley Dialogue School (France), Dot Shot Creative Studio (Slovakia), Community Art Center Rapunzel.eppan (Italy), Modarts Performing Arts Center (Greece).
IN SUPPORT TO CHILDREN & YOUNGSTERS AT RISK
Children can be at risk of disadvantage because of their individual circumstances or because they, or their families belong to a group which is disadvantaged in society. These children may include those with disabilities, with mental health problems, in alternative care, at risk of neglect/abuse, disaster and crisis survivors, undocumented child migrants/asylum seekers, those who live in poverty or are socially disadvantaged, those whose families have a migrant and/or second language background, those whose families were displaced or have limited access to services.
Young people in life challenging circumstances often suffer from ‘injured self-esteem and diminished cultural pride’.
We believe through artistic projects Creative Fellowship and our collaborators can raise awareness and bring moral support to children and youngsters at risk.
We create space for children and young people to participate, co-create and co-lead in every aspect of our mission. It is about giving them a voice and a platform.
By engaging children and young people into THE FUTURE IS NOW art challenge internationally we would like to promote courage and inspiration, facilitate new connections, and inspirit zeal for a better life amongst those who need to be imbued.
Ready-To-Print exhibition can be printed by any institution (school, dance studio, theater or even a hairdresser salon!) anywhere in the world to show solidarity with young people living in life challenging situations.
*IN SUPPORT TO DISPLACED CHILDREN
