YOUTH ART FOR CONSERVATION COMPETITION
As part of the Wildlife Crime Showcase at the Adelaide Zoo
Hosted By: Wildlife Crime Research Hub, the Art Gallery of South Australia and Adelaide Zoo
What is the WildVoice Art Competition?
WildVoice is a South Australian student art competition that invites young people in Years 7–12 to creatively explore and raise awareness about wildlife crime and conservation. Art is a powerful tool to inspire empathy, critical thinking, and personal connection to the environment, especially for younger audiences who may find scientific or legal language inaccessible.
Purpose
To empower students to become active voices for wildlife protection by expressing their understanding of habitat loss, endangered species, and sustainability through art. The competition aligns with efforts to prevent wildlife crime and promote conservation using accessible, creative means.
Competition Details
Age Categories
Years 7-8
Years 9-10
Years 11-12
Media Accepted
Drawings
Painting
Digital Art
Mixed Media
Collage
Judging Criteria
Relevance to brief
Creativity and originality
Effective use of materials
Visual impact and presentation
Key Dates
Competition Opens: 28th July 2025
Submission Deadline: 15th October 2025
Judging Period: 15th-31st October
Shortlisted entries notified: 31st October
If shortlisted, you will recieve an invite to the launch of the Illegal Wildlife Trade Showcase event on the 14th of November where your work will be displayed and the winners will be announced.
Winners Announced: 14th November 2025
What are the prizes?
1st, 2nd and 3rd for the three age categories - both briefs will be judged together.
1st Prize = Unlimited Family Entry for one year to Zoos SA (2A + 2C)
2nd Prize = Family Lions 360 Experience and entry to Monarto Safari Park (2A + 2C)
3rd Prize = Family Giraffe Feeding Experience and entry to Adelaide Zoo (2A + 2C)
Meet the Judging Panel
Our Ambassador & Head Judge
Elizabeth Close | Aboriginal Visual Artist
Elizabeth Yanyi Close is a Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara woman from the APY Lands in Central Australia. She is a professional established Contemporary Aboriginal Artist based on Kaurna Country in Adelaide. She has spent the past 18 years crafting a dynamic, multi-disciplinary visual arts practice that speaks to both her own personal Connection to Country, and the concept of connection to place and space more broadly. She works in the mediums of 2D studio based-works, large scale muralist installations and digital media.
Guest Judges from the Art Gallery of South Australia
We are excited to include judges from the Art Gallery of South Australia to this year’s art competition. Their involvement brings a wealth of experience and insight from one of the nation’s most respected cultural institutions. With their deep knowledge of contemporary and historical art, these judges will help recognise and celebrate outstanding creative talent across all categories.
Creative Brief Options
Brief 1: Habitats for Survival – Defending Against Wildlife Crime
Create an artwork that shows a thriving, healthy habitat for threatened native Australian plants or animals.
Illegal activities such as poaching, illegal logging, land clearing, and unregulated fishing are putting immense pressure on ecosystems. These crimes don’t just harm individual species, they disrupt entire food webs, damage biodiversity, and threaten the health of our natural world.
Your artwork should imagine what these habitats could look like if they were protected from wildlife crime and allowed to flourish.
Ecosystems you might explore include:
Forests & Woodlands – e.g. Koala, Sugar Glider, Eucalyptus (impacted by illegal logging)
Rainforests – e.g. Corroboree Frog, Flying Fox, Cassowary (affected by illegal clearing and poaching)
Coral Reefs – e.g. Clownfish, Sea Turtle, Coral (threatened by illegal fishing and coral harvesting)
Coastal & Beaches – e.g. Loggerhead Turtle, Hooded Plover (vulnerable to poaching and vehicle access)
Wetlands, Arid Zones, Mangroves, Alpine Areas
Brief 2: Wildlife Portraits
Choose an Australian native animal or plant that is endangered, threatened, or impacted by wildlife crime, and create a striking portrait that brings attention to its story.
Wildlife crime affects many of Australia’s unique species through:
Poaching (for skins, body parts, or traditional medicine)
Illegal pet trade (trafficking of rare birds, reptiles, and mammals)
Habitat destruction (through illegal land clearing and logging)
Use your portrait to highlight the beauty, vulnerability, and importance of protecting this species.
Media Formats
Participants can use any of the following media types for either brief:
Drawing
Painting
Digital Art
Mixed Media
Collage
Recycled/Found Materials are encouraged for any artwork, especially if you'd like to creatively reuse waste items (e.g. bottle caps, scrap fabric, cardboard, newspapers). This is a great way to reflect sustainability in both your message and your method, but it’s optional.
Got more questions?
View our FAQ’s here or email us at cwec@adelaide.edu.au
Don’t forget to read the competition rules before entry!
View the terms and conditions here.
