City of Darwin is calling on Darwin’s young artists to get creative and submit their work for the 2026 Children’s Artwork Exhibition, held as part of Children’s Week.

The annual exhibition gives children up to 12 years the opportunity to showcase their creativity, with drawings, paintings, prints, collages, sculptures, ceramics, photography and digital art all welcome.

Lord Mayor Peter Styles encouraged Darwin’s young artists to get involved and share their creativity with the community.

“The Children’s Artwork Exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for our young people to express themselves through art and have their work proudly displayed for family, friends and the wider community to enjoy,” Mr Styles said.

“This year’s theme, ‘Children have the right to use their own language, celebrate their culture and practise their religion’, gives children the opportunity to explore what culture and identity mean to them and express those ideas in their own creative way.”

This year, City of Darwin will again partner with the Office of the Children’s Commissioner to deliver the Children’s Artwork Exhibition, following their partnership for the 2025 exhibition.

Artwork can be dropped off at either Darwin City Library or Casuarina Library from Monday 12 to Friday 16 October, with artwork displayed at the library where it is submitted.

The exhibition will officially open at Casuarina Library on Saturday 24 October from 9.30am to 11.30am, with children’s entertainment, activities, a lucky-door prize and morning tea. Artwork will remain on display at Darwin City and Casuarina libraries until Sunday 29 November 2026.

Children’s Week runs from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, celebrating the right of children to enjoy childhood and providing opportunities for children to demonstrate their talents, skills and achievements.

A range of free family activities will also be held throughout the week, including a Family Fun Morning at Jingili Water Gardens on Wednesday 28 October from 9am to 12 noon, and a Family Fun Afternoon, also at Jingili Water Gardens, on Friday 30 October from 3pm to 6pm.

Artwork can be collected from the library where it was displayed on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 December 2026. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information, visit darwin.nt.gov.au/childrens-week or contact the Family and Children Services team on 8930 0561.