Structure of the AJF Creator Arts Olympiad
AJF Creator Arts Olympiad is conducted in two key rounds, with a structured flow that ensures every participant is recognized and high-potential artists are celebrated at zonal and international levels.
Who Can Participate?
Students from Grades 1 to 8 across schools across the globe.
Grade Bands
To ensure age-appropriate challenges and developmental progression, the AJF Creator Arts Olympiad will be divided into the following four grade bands:
Students from Grades 1 to 8 across schools across the globe.
Grade Bands
To ensure age-appropriate challenges and developmental progression, the AJF Creator Arts Olympiad will be divided into the following four grade bands:
- Band A – Grades 1-2
- Band B – Grades 3-4
- Band C – Grades 5-6
- Band D – Grades 7-8
Registration
- Registration Method: Through schools ONLY. No individual registrations allowed.
- Registration Fee: 210 INR per student (In India), 20 USD per student (Outside India) (includes olympiad + preparation booklet).
- Schools may charge additional 25 INR / 5 USD towards coordination support.
- Registration Process:
- Download the Registration Sheet: The designated School Point of Contact (POC) must visit the Art Journal Foundation website and download the official Olympiad Registration Sheet.
- Fill the Registration Sheet: Complete all required fields in the Olympiad Registration Sheet with accurate student and school details.
- Submit and Make Payment: Complete the registration form with school details and POC details, upload the filled Olympiad Registration Sheet via the form, and make payment as instructed on the website.
- Confirmation Email & School Code: Upon successful submission and payment, schools will receive an official confirmation email along with a unique School Code, which must be used for all further Olympiad correspondence and student submissions.
- Submission Format: Question papers, response sheets and attendance sheet, with unique student code for each student, will be sent to the school; completed student entries, along with attendance sheet, must be securely packaged and couriered back to the AJF Head office within the specified timeline.
All Registered Participants Receive:
School Excellence Certificate: Awarded to School Principals for schools with more than 100 participants and notable entries.
- Certificate of Participation
- AJF Creator Arts Olympiad Badge
- Detailed School Report
- Individual Student Reports
School Excellence Certificate: Awarded to School Principals for schools with more than 100 participants and notable entries.
Zonal Round - Round I
- Round I Dates (School selects one): 3rd Slot: October 07, 2026; 4th Slot: November 03, 2026.
- Zones*: Based on geographical regions - North India, South India, East India, West India, International (Outside India). All registered participants will be divided into 5 zones as per the location of the school and their entries shall be considered for the Zonal Round.
- Gold Medalist – Top 5%
- Silver Medalist – Next top 8%
- Bronze Medalist – Next top 10%
- School Excellence Certificate – For schools with more than 100 participants and notable entries
Zones of the AJF Creator Arts Olympiad*
| Zone | States / UTs |
|---|---|
| North India | Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh |
| South India | Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar |
| East India | Bihar, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh |
| West India | Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Maharashtra, Goa |
| International Zone | Any country outside India |
International Round - Round II
- Eligibility for Round II (International Round): Gold Medalists - The Top 5% of each Zone per grade band will qualify.
- Round II Schedule: International Level will be held in December 2026 for selected students.
- They receive a formal invitation to compete in the International Round. No additional fee for the International Round.
- International Award I - Cash Prize Rs.15000
- International Award II - Cash Prize Rs.10000
- International Award III - Cash Prize Rs.5000
- International Creativity Star Certificate – For unique concepts, if applicable
Finality of Results
The results of the AJF Creator Arts Olympiad will be declared by the Art Journal Foundation based on a well-defined and transparent evaluation process. All decisions regarding awards and recognition are final and binding.
Results cannot be contested or appealed by any participating school, teacher, parent or student.
The results of the AJF Creator Arts Olympiad will be declared by the Art Journal Foundation based on a well-defined and transparent evaluation process. All decisions regarding awards and recognition are final and binding.
Results cannot be contested or appealed by any participating school, teacher, parent or student.
Opportunities for International Winners
- Artwork featured in AJF’s Digital Gallery
- Mentorship** nomination - a guided learning initiative that supports promising young creators beyond the Olympiad
Summary of Awards & Recognition - Per Grade Band
| Participant Type | Certificate | Medal / Trophy | Eligibility for Next Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Participants | ✅ | – | – |
| Zonal Merit | ✅ | 🥇 Gold (Top 5%) 🥈 Silver (Next Top 8%) 🥉 Bronze (Next Top 10%) | Gold (Top 5%) selected for Round II |
| International Winners | ✅ | International Award I International Award II International Award III | Exciting Cash Prizes!! |
AJF Creator Arts Olympiad Paper Structure
Duration: Up to 120 minutes
The Olympiad will consist of three core sections:
Section A: Knowledge and Understanding (About Arts)
Format: Multiple Choice Questions (20 marks)
Purpose: To assess students' foundational understanding of visual arts, including core concepts such as elements of art, color theory, shapes, art vocabulary, tools, and famous artists and artworks.
Section B: Visual Reasoning
Format: Multiple Choice Questions (20 marks)
Purpose: To assess students' visual literacy, pattern recognition, and analytical skills.
Section C: Art-Making Task
Format: Drawing-based creative prompt (40 marks)
Purpose: To evaluate students' originality, composition skills, visual understanding, and use of elements and principles of art.
Task Will Be Marked on:
Duration: Up to 120 minutes
The Olympiad will consist of three core sections:
Section A: Knowledge and Understanding (About Arts)
Format: Multiple Choice Questions (20 marks)
Purpose: To assess students' foundational understanding of visual arts, including core concepts such as elements of art, color theory, shapes, art vocabulary, tools, and famous artists and artworks.
Section B: Visual Reasoning
Format: Multiple Choice Questions (20 marks)
Purpose: To assess students' visual literacy, pattern recognition, and analytical skills.
Section C: Art-Making Task
Format: Drawing-based creative prompt (40 marks)
Purpose: To evaluate students' originality, composition skills, visual understanding, and use of elements and principles of art.
Task Will Be Marked on:
- Idea and Interpretation
- Composition and Design
- Technique and Skill
Important Notes
- Fee Once Paid is Non-Refundable: Once the registration fee is paid, it is non-refundable under any circumstances.
- International School Participation Requirement: For schools outside India, a minimum of 20 student entries (across different grade bands) is required in order to process registration.