<p dir="ltr">The theme for the portrait competition is ‘under-representation’, and The Box is inviting submissions of new portraits that show people who may not often be represented on the walls of a museum or gallery.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/dr-stephen-felmingham">Professor Stephen Felmingham</a>, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Arts University Plymouth, said: “We’re thrilled to support this wonderful opportunity for children and young people from Plymouth and across the South West. The creative industries help to make communities in all parts of the UK happier, healthier places for us to live in and this portrait competition offers an opportunity to make the arts more accessible to the next generation of young artists. I can’t think of a more worthy cause to support, and hope that everybody who hears about the competition will encourage the young people in their lives to enter.”</p>

<p dir="ltr">There are three categories to enter, one for Primary school aged children, one for Secondary school aged children, and one for anyone aged between 18 and 25. Applicants can create a portrait of anyone they choose, including themselves, friends, family or an icon, and can produce the portrait in any medium. Winners from each category will receive a voucher worth £150 to spend in The Box’s shop and will also have their work displayed, alongside a selection of other entries, at The Box this summer.</p> <p dir="ltr">To take part, all that’s needed is a scan or high-quality photograph of the portrait (min 300dpi) and email it to The Box via ​​<a href="mailto:theboxlearning@plymouth.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theboxlearning@plymouth.gov.uk</a>. Please label the file with your initials, the date and category. For example, the label for Jane Bloggs who submitted an entry on 30 April in the primary school category would be JB300424P (use S for the secondary school category and YP for the 18-25 years category).<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">The closing date for all entries is 5pm on 12 May 2024. Click here to read the full terms and conditions of the competition: <a href="https://www.theboxplymouth.com/portrait-competition/portrait-competition-t-and-cs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.theboxplymouth.com/portrait-competition/portrait-competition-t-and-cs</a><br /></p>