Children’s Art Week
June 27 - July 12
About Children’s Art Week
Children’s Art Week is a UK-wide celebration of art-making with and by children and young people. Organised each year by Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education, the programme runs over several weeks in June and July. In 2026 the programme runs from Saturday 27 June to Sunday 12 July, with thousands of activities at galleries, museums, schools, libraries, and community venues.
What is Children’s Art Week?
Children’s Art Week is a national arts education programme that brings children, families, and educators together with artists and venues for hundreds of free or low-cost creative activities. It is run by Engage, the UK’s leading membership body for gallery, art, and museum educators, and supported by Arts Council England. The programme typically lasts three weeks rather than a single week, giving venues across the country flexibility to schedule events.
When is Children’s Art Week?
Children’s Art Week runs each summer over multiple weeks. In 2026 it takes place from Saturday 27 June to Sunday 12 July, with venues running activities at points across that fortnight. Each year the programme has a theme; recent themes have included Storytelling, Power, and Identity. The official hashtag is #ChildrensArtWeek.
Why Children’s Art Week Matters
Access to high-quality art, design, and creative learning has narrowed in many UK schools over the past decade. Department for Education figures show that GCSE entries in arts subjects fell by around 40 per cent between 2010 and 2023, and many state schools have reduced their dedicated art teaching hours. At the same time, research from the Cultural Learning Alliance and Engage shows that children involved in the arts have better wellbeing outcomes, higher confidence, and stronger creative thinking skills. Children’s Art Week exists to make creative experiences visible and accessible to every child, regardless of family income or postcode.
How to Get Involved in Children’s Art Week
The programme is designed for schools, families, artists, and venues at every scale:
- Search the Engage events map – Visit engage.org to find activities near you, from gallery workshops to outdoor art trails.
- Sign your school up to host an activity – Engage offers free toolkits, planning advice, and a listing on the official map for participating schools.
- Book a family workshop – Major venues such as the Tate, V&A, Whitworth, National Galleries Scotland, and London Transport Museum run free Children’s Art Week events.
- Organise a community art day – Libraries, churches, community centres, and parks can run drop-in activities such as printmaking, collage, or chalk drawing.
- Visit a museum or gallery – Many free national museums layer extra family-friendly activities during Children’s Art Week, including artist-led sessions and craft tables.
- Buy art supplies for a local school – Schools rarely have surplus budget for materials; donating sketchbooks, paints, and clay can have a real impact.
- Share your child’s artwork online – Use #ChildrensArtWeek to celebrate the work of young artists and inspire others to take part.
History of Children’s Art Week
Engage was founded in 1989 as the Visual Arts and Galleries Association (VAGA), evolving over the next two decades into Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education. The organisation supports more than 1,000 members across the UK and internationally, advocating for high-quality engagement with the visual arts in formal and informal learning settings. Children’s Art Week was developed by Engage as a flagship public programme, giving its members a coordinated platform to invite families into galleries, museums, and schools.
The programme has grown from a small London-based initiative into a UK-wide festival involving thousands of venues. Recent editions have run over three weeks rather than a single week, recognising the practical reality that schools, museums, and families need time and flexibility. The programme is now supported by major partners including Arts Council England and the Foyle Foundation, alongside private donors and individual venue contributions.
Noteworthy Facts About Children’s Art Week
- Children’s Art Week is organised by Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education.
- Engage was founded in 1989 and supports more than 1,000 members across the UK and beyond.
- The programme typically runs over three weeks rather than a single week.
- Hundreds of UK venues take part each year, from local libraries to national museums.
- GCSE entries in arts subjects fell by around 40 per cent in England between 2010 and 2023 (DfE).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Children’s Art Week?
An annual UK programme celebrating creative learning and the work of children and young people, run by Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education.
When is Children’s Art Week in 2026?
From Saturday 27 June to Sunday 12 July 2026.
Who organises Children’s Art Week?
Engage, the UK’s national membership body for gallery, art, and museum educators, with support from Arts Council England.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing Children’s Art Week with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtag #ChildrensArtWeek on social media. The more people who celebrate young artists, the stronger the case for protecting arts education.
Related Awareness Days
- Children’s Book Week – A complementary celebration of reading and storytelling for young people.
- Teacher Appreciation Week – Recognises the educators who deliver creative learning every day.
- International Youth Day – The global UN day that places young people at the centre of social and creative life.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
View Calendar →
