Creativity Thrives in Globeducate Schools as Global Arts Competition Winners Announced

The winners of the Globeducate Arts Competition 2022 were announced in December, with students from a range of age groups, from five to 18, impressing a global judging panel with a some diverse and impressive creative work in categories including: creative writing, poetry, painting and drawing, photography, performing arts, sculpture and 3D arts.

Each year´s Globeducate Arts Competition takes on a unique theme for students to interpret as they wish. The theme always carries a focus that aligns with the Globeducate Agenda mission, which links to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals. This year, “Movement” was a very topical theme, linking to UN SDG no.10, relating to migrant workers and refugees.

Students from four age groups, are invited to share what inspires them and it is not surprising to find that this is such a popular competition – Arts is a key part of the Globeducate STEAM Agenda. Each Globeducate school holds a preliminary competition, launched before the summer holidays, and submits winning entries to the global competition in November. This allows time for students to research and reflect on what they would like to compose. 

Assistant Education Director Monica Fontán explained, “Many artists this year used the theme of Movement to give voice to the hardships people suffer when having to flee their home or country. I was touched by the solidarity expressed in the creative work submitted and I stopped to wonder if some of these students are immigrants themselves and that the Arts Competition is a safe platform for them to express their feelings on the injustice and suffering people experience, and the gratitude that they have for accessing a good education, a school they love, a safe home and country to live in.

“After all, that is the beauty of the arts," she explained. "They can speak a thousand words through whatever medium the artist chooses to use. Arts allow us to connect with a story.  The theme was also interpreted through movement of animals and in nature, and also sport. Many students interpreted the theme as a way to send a message about the need for global change to sustain our planet – the movement for a greener planet, a better future – all things that our Eco-Schools councils work hard to address. It was a real pleasure for our teachers and global judging panel to view so much creative work.”

Some examples were highlighted such as a poem from EIB Monceau Primary School, about the subtle but powerful movements of the hands and fingers in sign language, about how they communicate across silent border and give life to otherwise imprisoned thoughts.

A student from Bilingual European School, Milan, wrote a poem about the hardships refugees face when they are forced to leave their home and loved ones, due to dangerous conditions in their own country. The scene takes place on a raft in the middle of sea and concludes with hope for a better life.

A photography piece from Mougins British International School focused on the difficult journeys that people take to get to safer places, and showed solidarity with people who are forced to move under challenging circumstances.

A painting from a student at Agora Madrid International School used acrylic and watercolour on an old map, and shows people fleeing their homes because of war, famine or natural disasters.

Congratulations to the students who came in first, second and third places, to those who received honorary mentions, and to all of those who took the time to express their ideas through the arts – every submission that was entered at a school level showed talent, originality and, many, a global perspective.

To read more about our annual Globeducate events, click here.