Hidden Gems Art Competition 2026

Eligibility

The Hidden Gems Art Competition is open to students from Kindergarten to Year 12 who either:

• reside within the Willoughby City Council area
• attend a school within the Willoughby City Council area.

Entries may be submitted individually or through schools.

One entry per student permitted.

Entry requirements

• Entries must be submitted on the official template (185mm × 135mm). Both portrait and landscape formats are allowed.
• Provide street address and suburb where your hidden gem is located.
• Artwork must be original and created by the entrant.
• Entries may include drawing, painting, collage, illustration, or mixed-media artwork suitable for scanning and printing reproduction.
• Artwork must be two-dimensional only.
• Loose materials are NOT allowed such as glitter, sand, rocks, sticks, feathers, fabric pieces that are not securely attached, sequins, foam, food items. Artwork must remain flat and suitable for scanning and reproduction.
• The artwork should highlight a hidden gem within the Willoughby City Council area.
• Entrants may include a short, written description (maximum 50 words) explaining why they chose their hidden gem.

Submission process

Completed entry forms can be submitted by:

1. Hand delivery (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm):
   ATTN: Hidden Gems Art Competition
   Festival and Events
   Willoughby City Council
   Customer Service Centre
   Ground Level, 31 Victor Street
   Chatswood NSW 2067 
   
   
2. Post:
   ATTN: Hidden Gems Art Competition
   Festival and Events
   Willoughby City Council
   PO Box 57
   Chatswood NSW 2067

JUDGING AND PRIZES

Entries will be reviewed by a judging panel appointed by Willoughby City Council. Winners will be selected across multiple age categories. Winners will receive a certificate and gift card. In addition, their artwork will be printed on postcards and made available to the public during Chatswood StreetFair 2026.

Important dates

Appropriate content

Entries must not contain: 

• offensive or discriminatory material
• political messaging
• copyrighted characters or logos

• inappropriate language or imagery.

Willoughby City Council reserves the right to disqualify any entry deemed unsuitable. 

No return of materials

Submitted entries will not be returned unless otherwise arranged with Council.

Grant of rights

By entering the Hidden Gems Art Competition, you acknowledge and agree that if your artwork is selected for display, that Willoughby City Council has the right to screen and reproduce the design in any way or form during the Emerge Festival, and in future years.

By submitting your entry, you grant Willoughby City Council the right to publicise, broadcast and communicate to the public your name, character, likeness or voice for any promotion or matter related to the competition with no compensation to you for such use.