Art Bytes Celebrates Record-Breaking Year

National programme grows 50% in partnership with The Arts Society, showcasing exceptional young talent from over 150 schools

England's most promising young artists took centre stage on 12th June as the Art Bytes national schools programme reached new heights in its fourth year, welcoming a record-breaking 150+ schools across the country – a remarkable 50% increase from 2024. The programme's flagship celebration events, held at prestigious cultural venues from the Saatchi Gallery in London to The Victoria Gallery and Museum in Liverpool, highlighted the extraordinary creativity of Year 5 and Year 9 students nationwide.

Ilinca Iftimoae from Stanton Bridge Primary School in the West Midlands claimed the coveted National Primary Winner title with her stunning piece "Adonis," while DD from Lamledge School, also in the West Midlands, triumphed in the secondary category with "The Blue Void."

This milestone year marked Art Bytes' first national partnership with The Arts Society, seeing 46 local Arts Societies champion visual arts education by supporting 70 schools and celebrating pupils' creativity. The programme also benefits from the continued support of the School of the Arts at University of Liverpool, which provides both financial backing and valuable volunteering opportunities for students. These collaborations demonstrate the growing recognition of art education's vital role in developing young people's confidence, cultural capital, and essential future employment skills.

Art Bytes arrives at a critical moment for arts education in England. With arts GCSE entries having plummeted by 47% since 2010, the programme provides a lifeline for creative learning, proving that investment in the arts yields transformative results for young people's development and wellbeing. While the decline in arts GCSE entries has begun to slow, there is still significant work to do to reverse many years of erosion and devaluing of creative subjects.

"The standard of work we've seen this year has been absolutely exceptional," said Adele Darlington, Primary Art Consultant and competition judge. "What strikes me most is not just the technical skill on display, but the imagination and innovative approaches these young artists bring to their work. They're showing us that creativity isn't just surviving in our schools – it's thriving."

Emma Griffiths, Art Bytes Coordinator, commented: "The level of family and community engagement we've seen this year has been extraordinary. Art Bytes isn't just about celebrating individual talent – it's about bringing whole communities together around creativity and showing young people that their artistic voice matters."

As Art Bytes prepares for 2025/26, the programme continues to evolve its sustainable model, ensuring long-term support for arts education across England.

Art Bytes is open to all primary (Year 5), secondary (Year 9), and SEND schools across England, with registration for the 2025/26 academic year now open at artbytes.co.uk