The 2015 Create! Art for Autism competition is now open for entries and is open to all young people aged 11-25 years who are formally diagnosed with an autistic spectrum condition (ASC) including Asperger’s syndrome.
The Create! competition aims to dispel the myth that people with autism cannot be creative and to show that art can significantly improve their quality of life, facilitating experiential-based learning and instilling life-long skills.
Young people with an ASC are invited to enter the 5 main categories: 2D art, 3D art, digital photography, digital animation and poetry.
Create! Has high profile judges and supporters, including Jane Asher, actress and author; Aaron Yorke, singer and songwriter; Alun Cairns MP; Darren Jackson, director of Beechwood College; Anna Kennedy OBE, founder of Autism’s Got Talent; Neil Burridge, artist and lecturer at the University of South Wales; Steve Knapik MBE, educationalist and art examiner for the Welsh Joint Education Committee; Lucinda Bredin, arts editor of Bonhams Magazine; and Michael Shaw of the Times Educational Supplement.
In 2014, the finalists were invited to attend an Awards Day at Beechwood College, where their creativity was celebrated and winners were announced. The day was a great success and more than 150 guests attended. Create! judge and singer/songwriter Aaron Yorke entertained the audience with an acoustic performance of the theme song he wrote for Create! The winner of each category was awarded a Kindle Fire HD and a Create! artbox for their school or organisation, full of art materials, including Stop Motion Pro, and a guide to digital photography.
To look at last year’s winners, click here.
