Young voices art showcase
Get creative. Share your thanks. Show your appreciation.
Young voices art showcase
This Thank a First Responder Day, Fortem Australia invites children and young people across Australia to get creative and share their thanks through art.
From colourful drawings, paintings and photography to digital designs, every artwork is a powerful way to express appreciation and gratitude for the first responders and families who support our communities every day.
Create with purpose
The young voices art showcase gives children and young people an opportunity to express gratitude in a meaningful, creative way – helping first responders feel seen, valued, and supported.
We encourage artists to use the Thank a First Responder Day logo and the colour teal as inspiration as they bring their ideas to life. There’s no right or wrong way to create, just heartfelt thanks, expressed in your own unique style.
As a special thank you for their creativity, two artworks will be selected to each receive a $200 book voucher.
Theme
Thank you, first responders
Artwork should reflect appreciation, gratitude, and community connection.
Artists may choose to depict:
- Acts of kindness or helping others
- What first responders mean to their community
- Messages of thanks or support
Use of the Thank a First Responder Day triple zero with heart logo or the colour teal is encouraged.
Eligibility
- Open to artists aged 4–19 years
- One entry per artist
- Entries may be submitted by a parent, carer, school, early learning centre, or community group
- Artwork must be the artist’s original work
Artwork requirements
- Flat artwork only (no 3D items)
- Accepted formats include:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Collage
- Photography
- Digital artwork
- Preferred size: up to A3, landscape orientation preferred
- Digital entries must be submitted as a clear, high-quality image or scan
Submission requirements
Each entry must include:
- A photo or scan of the artwork
- Artists first name and age
- Parent or carer contact details
- School or community group name (if applicable)
Entries must be submitted via the nominated online submission form by the advertised closing date.
Key dates
- Entries open: 1 March 2026
- Entries close: 15 May 2026
- Selected artworks announced: Monday, 8 June 2026
- Thank a First Responder Day: Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Selection and use of artwork
Artwork will be selected based on creativity, effort, and how the theme is expressed, taking age into consideration.
Selected artworks may be:
- Featured on Fortem Australia’s website and social media channels
- Displayed at Thank a First Responder Day events or community activations
- Included in a Thank a First Responder Day calendar
- Included in Thank a First Responder Day collateral (e.g. Thank you cards, posters)
Two artworks will be selected by a judging panel made up of Fortem Ambassadors and Fortem Directors to receive a $200 book voucher.
Permissions
By submitting an artwork, the parent or carer:
- Confirms the artwork is the artists original work
- Grants permission for Fortem Australia to reproduce, publish, display and use the artwork for promotional and fundraising purposes related to Thank a First Responder Day, including use in printed and digital materials, calendars, merchandise, marketing campaigns and other communications.
- Acknowledges that submitted artwork will not be returned
Artists will be credited by first name and age only. Surnames will not be published.
Child safety and privacy
Fortem Australia is committed to child safety and privacy. No identifying personal information about children will be publicly shared. Artwork will be used respectfully and in line with these guidelines.
Please complete the following form to submit your artwork.
