The Box and Arts University Plymouth launch ‘Where’s Your Head At?’ Children and Young People’s Open

19th February 2026

The Box, with the support of Arts University Plymouth, has today announced ‘Where’s Your Head At?’, a new Children and Young People’s Open inviting young artists to submit original work exploring the theme of ‘Art and Emotion’.

Launching on Friday 20 February, it’s free to enter and open to anyone aged 0–25 living in the South West (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset). Entries close at 5pm on Sunday 3 May 2026 and prizes up for grabs include £150 to spend in The Box’s shop and the chance to have your work displayed at The Box this summer.

Adam Milford, Engagement Programmes Manager, The Box, said: “‘Where’s Your Head At?’ is an invitation to young people across the region to make bold work about real life. We’re creating a public platform for young voices and ideas and want entrants to know that their creativity belongs here, at the heart of a city that is focused on the value of culture.”

‘Art and Emotion’ at The Box: a summer of young people’s voices

A selection of entries will be exhibited at The Box in summer 2026, coinciding with a major exhibition of more than 60 works from the Government Art Collection (20 June–20 September 2026) that has been shaped by conversations and workshops with a diverse group of local teenagers and young adults over the last year. The exhibition will pair artworks by artists such as Alvaro Barrington, Barbara Hepworth and Alberta Whittle with honest reflections from young people aged 13–25.

Why now: young people, wellbeing and the value of creativity

The theme responds to national conversations about young people’s wellbeing, and the importance of belonging, confidence and opportunity. Youth Matters: State of the Nation (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 10 December 2025) brought together the voices of more than 14,000 young people in England, highlighting what young people say they need to thrive and reinforcing the value of listening to young people directly.

At a time when The Good Childhood Report 2025 underlines why wellbeing and emotional health remain urgent issues for families, schools and communities, the Cultural Learning Alliance also sets out continued pressure on arts access and provision in education, even as arts learning is increasingly linked to communication, empathy, agency and wellbeing (Report Card 2025).

Professor Stephen Felmingham, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Arts University Plymouth, said: “Arts University Plymouth is proud to support The Box on ‘Where’s Your Head At?’, helping to champion the ambition and creativity of young people across the South West. As a specialist arts university, we see how making can help people communicate what matters and build confidence. This open call gives young artists a serious public platform, and we hope it encourages every entrant to feel seen, supported and proud of what they create.”

Plymouth’s cultural momentum

The partnership reflects Plymouth’s spirit of collaboration and creativity as the city bids to become UK City of Culture 2029, a bid that invites residents and organisations to shape a city-wide celebration of culture and opportunity.

The promotional campaign for ‘Where’s Your Head At?’ has been developed with artist Joe Lyward and is inspired by the everyday language of emojis. Alongside the open call, Arts University Plymouth will host a making workshop with Lyward in March 2026 for Extended Diploma and Foundation students at its Pre-Degree and Sixth Form campus, supporting practical exploration of the ‘Art and Emotion’ theme and helping young creatives develop ideas and confidence.

How to enter ‘Where’s Your Head At?’

Young people are invited to create an artwork responding to ‘Art and Emotion’. Any medium is welcome.

Email your entry to: theboxcompetition@plymouth.gov.uk

Email subject line: Children and Young People’s Open 2026
In the email: Include the entrant’s full name and age category

Label your file with your initials, the date of entry (DDMMYY), category entered (Early Years (EY), Primary (P), Secondary (S) or 18–25 (YP)), and the first part of your postcode. For example, the label for Joe Bloggs from Stonehouse who submits an entry on 24 February in the young person’s category would be: JB240226YP-PL1.

Full details and Terms & Conditions are available from https://www.theboxplymouth.com/wheres-your-head-at.

A quick note on originality

The Box and Arts University Plymouth are excited to see entrants’ imagination and making skills shine through. Please submit original work created by you. For this open call, entries created using AI image generators won’t be accepted.