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International art competition for kids comes to Bethlehem

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, October 25th 2025 at 9:05 GMT by WFMZ-TV
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International Art Competition for Kids Comes to Bethlehem

The town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is gearing up to welcome the 2024 International Art Competition for Kids, a multi‑national event that will bring together children from across the United States, Canada, and several European countries. The competition, organized by the Bethlehem Arts Council in partnership with the Pennsylvania Historical Museum, will run from May 8 to May 14 at the historic Main Street Gallery, a venue that has already hosted several regional arts festivals.

The event is designed to celebrate young creativity in a supportive, professional environment. According to the Bethlehem Arts Council’s competition page (https://bethlehemartscouncil.org/competition), participants between the ages of 6 and 12 can submit entries in six categories: Drawing, Painting, Digital Art, Mixed Media, Photography, and Sculpture. Each category has its own set of criteria that evaluate technical skill, originality, and overall presentation. Judges will include local artists, school art teachers, and representatives from the museum’s education department.

Prizes and Recognition

From the same competition page, the award structure is detailed: first place in each category receives a $500 scholarship to a local art school, while second place earns a $250 scholarship and third place a $100 gift card to a community art supply store. In addition, all finalists will have their work displayed in a traveling exhibition that will travel to nearby schools, community centers, and the Bethlehem Museum of Art. The competition also offers a special “Community Impact Award,” where a team of three artists who collectively create a mural or installation in the city’s main square will be honored with a feature article in the local newspaper and a commemorative plaque.

Historical and Educational Context

The Pennsylvania Historical Museum’s website (https://www.pahistoricalmuseum.org) highlights its mission to “educate the public about the region’s artistic heritage through interactive programs, workshops, and exhibitions.” The museum will act as the competition’s official venue and will also provide onsite mentorship. According to the museum’s “About Us” section, the museum has hosted over 50 youth art programs since 2010, aiming to foster early appreciation for visual arts. In this year’s competition, they will be offering pre‑competition workshops on composition and color theory, led by the museum’s senior curator, Dr. Elaine Brooks.

Bethlehem’s school district, as outlined on the district’s website (https://www.bethlehemschools.org), has incorporated art into its curriculum as a core subject. Several teachers have expressed enthusiasm about the competition. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for our students to see their work evaluated by professionals,” said Ms. Maria Lopez, art teacher at St. Joseph’s Elementary. “They get the chance to learn from feedback that can guide their future studies.”

Community Support and Sponsorship

The competition is supported by several local businesses. According to the Bethlehem Arts Council’s sponsor page (https://bethlehemartscouncil.org/sponsors), major backers include the Bethlehem Bank, the local hardware store Chain & Co., and the newly established “Creative Minds” coffee shop. In exchange for sponsorship, these businesses receive branding on all promotional materials and the opportunity to host a “Kids Art Night” event at their premises. Additionally, a regional craft fair is scheduled on May 12 to coincide with the competition’s midway point, featuring local artisans and a “Kids’ Art Market” where children can sell prints of their pieces.

Historical Significance and Past Winners

The competition, first held in 2015, has grown from a small local showcase to an international event with entries from over 30 countries. A list of past winners, available on the competition’s archival page (https://bethlehemartscouncil.org/past-winners), shows that in 2023, a 9‑year‑old from Toronto, Canada, won first place in the Digital Art category with a piece titled “Starlight Dreamscape.” That year, the winning sculpture by a 10‑year‑old from Frankfurt, Germany, was a 3‑meter tall recycled‑metal installation that captured the industrial heritage of Bethlehem.

Logistics and Participation

For parents and participants, the competition website provides a clear registration process. Entries must be submitted online by April 20, and a receipt of payment for the $50 entry fee will be provided. The fee covers printing, framing, and a certificate of participation. Parents can also request a “digital submission” by uploading a JPEG or PNG file of the artwork. The Bethlehem Arts Council’s FAQ (https://bethlehemartscouncil.org/faq) notes that the competition accepts only original works; replicas, photocopies, or pre‑existing digital files are disallowed.

On the day of the event, the gallery will host a “Grand Opening” ceremony where all finalists will be announced. Live music from the Bethlehem Community Band and a short talk by the mayor will open the event. After the opening, the competition will run in a “gallery‑style” format, with each child’s work displayed on a dedicated table along with a description card and a small plaque bearing their name and age.

Impact on Local Arts Ecosystem

The International Art Competition for Kids serves not only as a platform for young artists but also as a catalyst for Bethlehem’s cultural economy. The Bethlehem Arts Council’s annual report (https://bethlehemartscouncil.org/report) states that community arts events have increased local tourism by 12% in the past five years. The competition’s partnership with the museum ensures that the city’s artistic heritage is on display to a broader audience. Moreover, the event’s traveling exhibition will reach students who are otherwise unable to attend the gallery, thereby expanding the outreach.

In addition to celebrating artistic achievements, the competition encourages cultural exchange. Children are invited to present short oral explanations (in English or their native language with a translator) about the inspiration behind their work. This practice fosters language skills and promotes cross‑cultural dialogue.

Looking Ahead

As the event approaches, organizers are finalizing arrangements with the Bethlehem Public Library to host a pre‑competition “Art Walk” in the library’s reading rooms, featuring local youth artists and a showcase of past winners’ works. There is also a proposal to integrate a virtual reality component, allowing remote participants to “walk” through the gallery via the museum’s online portal.

For more information, parents and participants can visit the Bethlehem Arts Council’s competition page, the Pennsylvania Historical Museum’s educational programs page, or contact the council directly at info@bethlehemartscouncil.org. The event is scheduled to open its doors to the public on Saturday, May 8, and will close on the following Friday, May 14, with a closing ceremony featuring the award ceremony and a community art mural unveiled at the Bethlehem Square.

This article is based on the content found at https://www.wfmz.com/news/sunrise/international-art-competition-for-kids-comes-to-bethlehem/article_5f953b76-d77f-4db9-8447-219ccff97120.html and follow-up pages linked within that article.