We are excited to share details of the Shakespeare Week 2026 Competition, a national creative challenge launched as part of the annual Shakespeare Week celebrations, coordinated by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

 

This year’s competition invites primary-aged pupils to explore Shakespeare’s plays through their imagination by creating original artwork inspired by one of his famous stories. Children are encouraged to think about what they see in their “mind’s eye” when reading or learning about plays such as Macbeth, The Tempest, or A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

 

Pupils can respond creatively to characters, settings, or key scenes, and produce artwork using any materials or media they choose, including drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, or digital design. Entrants are also asked to explain their ideas and inspiration behind their work.

 

The competition is open to children aged 4–11 years, with separate age categories, and also includes a prize for an outstanding collective school entry.

 

Winning entries will be showcased in an online exhibition, and selected winners will receive Shakespeare-themed prizes, art materials, and the opportunity for their work to be publicly displayed.

 

This is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to engage creatively with Shakespeare’s work and to be part of a national celebration of storytelling and the arts.

 

👉 Further information can be found here: https://www.shakespeareweek.org.uk/competition-2026/