The Big Draw 2026

What is The Big Draw 2026 theme?

The confirmed 2026 theme is “Make a Mark”. The organiser’s 19 January 2026 theme announcement emphasises drawing as a process of exploration, expression and experimentation. It follows the 2025 theme, “Drawn Together”; those are different annual themes.

A useful starting point is to ask what a mark can do: show movement, record a texture, map a place or communicate a feeling. The activities below are our suggestions for responding to the theme, rather than instructions from the organiser.

When is The Big Draw 2026?

The main festival month runs from Thursday 1 to Saturday 31 October 2026. The organiser also lists activities outside October, so an individual workshop or exhibition may have different dates.

Use the official festival page and event finder to check what is available. Read the event’s own year, venue, age guidance, access information, price and booking requirements before travelling.

Three drawing activities for schools and groups

A shared map of a familiar place

Put a large sheet of paper on an accessible table. Invite each participant to add one detail from a place the group knows: a doorway, tree, favourite seat or route. People can draw, dictate a description or contribute a prepared shape.

Finish by asking what the map reveals about different experiences of the same space. Keep names and personal locations out of any version you plan to publish.

One object, several ways to draw

Choose an everyday object and offer short rounds: outline only, a continuous line, patterns, then a drawing from memory. Use tools participants can handle comfortably, with a choice of paper sizes and working positions.

Compare the approaches without ranking the pictures. Ask which method helped someone notice a new detail. A participant who would rather observe or describe can contribute in that way.

A wall of marks

Give each person a small card for an invented symbol or pattern. Combine the cards into a temporary display, leaving space for people to explain their choices if they want to.

Agree whether contributions will stay anonymous, be photographed or be taken home. Obtain the appropriate permission before sharing children’s work or identifiable images online.

How to organise a Big Draw activity

Start with the audience and the setting. A drop-in library table needs different staffing and materials from a booked school workshop. Decide how many people can join, how long the activity takes and what participants will need to bring.

• Materials: offer a manageable selection of drawing tools, with suitable alternatives for different grip and access needs.
• Instructions: use a short demonstration and clear written or visual prompts.
• Space: consider table height, lighting, circulation and a quieter place to work.
• Participation: allow people to work alone, alongside others or with support.
• Sharing: decide how work will be displayed and explain consent arrangements before taking photographs.

For an officially listed festival event, read the organiser’s current information pack and subscription terms through the festival page. Running a drawing activity does not automatically make it a registered Big Draw event. Do not assume that registration, materials or venue admission are free.

There is a specific 2026 concession: the January announcement says the charity has waived its subscription fee for non-fee-paying schools. Eligible schools should check the current registration instructions; this does not mean that every venue, workshop or set of materials is free.

Who can take part?

The festival welcomes beginners as well as experienced artists. A school might use drawing to investigate a science topic, a museum might focus on close observation of an object, and a community group might make a collaborative picture.

Ask about access requirements when inviting people. Avoid promising that one activity is suitable for everyone without checking the tools, environment and support available.

How did The Big Draw begin?

The organiser dates the festival’s launch to 2000. Its current programme connects drawing with learning, communication and creative participation. For this year’s confirmed theme and participation arrangements, use the current festival information rather than a previous year’s resource pack.