The worlds of art and science coming together to help find a cure for children with cancer: it truly is children helping children.
We hope you enjoy this wonderful exhibition.
The Exhibition.
The galleries of the RCA are always buzzing with the excitement of the young artists and their families and we are grateful for the support the college has given us over the last three decades, providing space, sound, lighting and encouragement from three wonderful Rectors: Sir Jocelyn Stevens at the outset, followed by Professor Sir Christopher Frayling and Dr Paul Thompson, the present Vice-Chancellor, who both award their own prizes.
History.
The first Young Art exhibition in 1990 comprised 120 paintings. Over the past three decades we have raised more than £1.25million for research into childhood cancers and given thousands of schoolchildren the unique opportunity to have their work judged by professional artists and the experience of seeing their picture exhibited at London’s Royal College of Art.
Research into childhood cancers.
Young Art raises funds for the wonderful team led by Dr Karin Straathof at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health who are carrying out important research into childhood cancers. Initially headed by Professor Kathy Pritchard-Jones, YA has been supporting this project for the last 30 years.
Partnerships.
Our partnerships are an important part of the exhibition and today Young Art is proud to collaborate with the Royal Drawing School, the V&A and the Royal Academy Schools, who all provide workshops for the prizewinners. In addition YA has many generous sponsors – including Cass Art, Folio Books, Green and Stone, Jackson's Art Supplies Fulham and the framers who donate their time, expertise and materials – as well as supporters who donate the mounting card and materials, water and biscuits, art folders and much else.
Judges.
Our wonderful patrons and judges generously give their time and expertise to carefully consider each and every picture entered: Prof Sir Christopher Frayling, Prof Chris Orr MBE RA, Eileen Cooper OBE RA, Nicola Bayley, Patrick Cullen NEAC, James Hart Dyke, James Lloyd and Dr. Paul Thompson, Vice-Chancellor of the RCA.
The YA Team.
We are a completely volunteer run charity. Behind the scenes there are myriad people who make Young Art what it is today: the catalogue team, the school reps, the postcard team, the mounting team, the sponsorship team, the auction team and the social media team. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved and especially the young artists themselves.