LAHORE: The Little Art, a non-profit arts education organisation in Pakistan, has announced a National Child Art Competition and Exhibitions titled ‘ArtBeat.’

The organisation uses the medium of art to promote positive social values through innovative learning, says Shoaib Iqbal, the moving spirit behind the competition.

He says ArtBeat is a visual arts project to raise awareness about identity, rights and social justice among children and youth. “It is the second edition of ArtBeat competition and exhibitions to further promote the interest of children and schools and open up new horizons for them to learn and express through visual arts.”

This year's theme is “Me/My Rights”. It is about children and young people. The aim of the competition is to hear from children and youth, their voices, what they think about themselves and the times in which they are living in Pakistan – and share their voices through art with the community, he says.

The competition is open for children and young people of 3-18 years of age from all over Pakistan.

There are 30 cash prizes in the competition for all age groups, including fully sponsored participation of two artists from Pakistan in the Sharjah International Biennial for Children's Arts.

The winner artists will submit their work in Biennial and upon selection the Little Art will sponsor the artists to represent Pakistan in one of the largest events of children’s visual arts in the region. The last date for submission of artworks is April 30.