Koala Art Olympiad (KAO)
Proudly Australian | Open to the World - Creativity, Colour, Composition
Introduction & Objectives
The Koala Art Olympiad (KAO) invites students from around the world to step beyond simple technique and engage in deep artistic thinking.
Referencing the Australian Curriculum: Visual Arts assessment standards, this competition emphasizes the importance of the "Artist Statement." We believe that a true artist does not just create an image; they communicate an idea. Our objective is to encourage young creators to articulate their intent, explore visual metaphors, and develop critical thinking skills alongside their technical abilities. We focus on creativity and student’s thinking to create all the pictures to colour the World.
Organizer
Koala Excellence Olympiad (KEO)
Categories & Eligibility
The competition is divided into six levels based on academic year/grade. The assessment focus deepens as the grade level increases.
| Level | Grade / Year Level | Assessment Focus |
|---|---|---|
Level A |
Grade 1 – 2 |
Imagination & Use of Color |
Level B |
Grade 3 – 4 |
Observation & Line Work |
Level C |
Grade 5 – 6 |
Composition & Spatial Awareness |
Level D |
Grade 7 – 8 |
Assess deeper application and understanding. |
Level E |
Grade 9 – 10 |
Personal Style & Social Commentary |
Level F |
Grade 11 – 12 |
Conceptual Depth & Critical Aesthetics |
Note: Please register based on the student's grade level.
2026 Theme and Topic
Kindergarten (Pre-Junior school), Grade 1 - 6 , KEO A - C
- Theme: ANIMALS IN AUSTRALIA
Guidance:
Australia is famous for its unique wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. From the dry Outback to the deep blue ocean, explore the amazing creatures of the “Land Down Under.”
- Ideas:
- Famous Friends: Kangaroos hopping, koalas in gum trees, or wombats digging.
- Colorful Birds: Kookaburras laughing or bright parrots flying.
- Ocean Life: Sea turtles or fish from the Great Barrier Reef.
- Unique Creatures: The spiky echidna or the swimming platypus.
- Landscapes:
- Place your animal in its home: the dusty red Outback, a green Rainforest, the blue Ocean, or the dry Bushland.
- Challenge:
- Focus on texture. Use your art materials to make the animal look furry, feathery, spiky, or scaly.
Grade 7 to 12 , KEO D - F
- Theme: METAMORPHOSIS
● Guidance:
- Metamorphosis represents a profound change in form from one stage to the next.
● Ideas:
- It could be the natural transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly, the shifting landscapes of a futuristic city, a personal journey of growing up, or a change in emotion.
● Challenge:
- Use your artistic medium to capture the exact moment of "change."
Format & Submission Requirements
This competition utilizes a dual-assessment model: Artwork + Artist Statement. Participants must submit both components via our online portal.
- A. Visual Artwork
Medium
Open to all 2D mediums (Watercolor, Sketching, Oil Painting, Acrylic, Mixed Media, Digital Art).
Digital Specification
High-resolution image (JPG/PNG). File size must not exceed 10MB.
Originality
Artwork must be 100% original. AI-generated artwork is strictly prohibited.
- B. Artist Statement (20% of Total Score)
Participants must write a brief statement in English explaining their work. This is a crucial part of the Australian Arts curriculum.
- The minimum word is 100
- What did you draw? Which color did you like using the most and why?
- What techniques did you use to show the theme? How do you want the audience to feel when looking at your art?
Assessment Criteria
A panel of judges will evaluate entries based on four key pillars:
1. Technique & Materiality
30%
- Control of the medium and technical execution.
2. Creativity & Originality
30%
- Uniqueness of composition and personal voice (avoiding cliché or copying).
3. Thematic Communication
20%
- Relevance to the theme “Metamorphosis” and clarity of the visual message.
4. Artist Statement
20%
- Ability to articulate artistic intent; coherence between the text and the image.
Awards & Recognition (Preliminary (National) Round and International Final Round)
This table outlines the awards for all participants based on their performance in the National Round.
| Award Title | Requirement |
|---|---|
Gold Award |
Top ~10% of each category |
Silver Award |
Top ~20% of each category |
Bronze Award |
Top ~30% of each category |
Merit Award |
Other remaining % of each category |
Most Promising Artist Award |
The highest-scoring entry across all categories (1 winner per level) |
● Certificate:
All participants will receive an official Digital Certificate of Participation. Award winners will receive a Digital Award Certificate.
○ (Optional: Physical medals/certificates can be ordered upon request for an additional shipping fee.)
Timeline and Registration
- Registration Opens: Now
- Submission Deadline: May 2026
(Partner may select any convenient time slot within this period)
How to Register and Participate
As a partner, you can register students as a school or a group.
- For paper-based/ online participation, your school or organization should contact the KEO organizing committee directly to arrange for the secure delivery of test materials and supervision guidelines.
- Registration fees and detailed deadlines are opened for discussion.
Rules and Regulations
- One Entry: Each participant may submit only one entry.
- Copyright: The participant retains copyright of the artwork. However, by entering, the participant grants the Organizer the right to publish the artwork and artist statement for promotional and educational purposes (website, social media, exhibition).
- Integrity: Plagiarism or the use of Generative AI tools will result in immediate disqualification.
- Final Decision: The decision of the judging panel is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
International (Final) Round in Macau (Near Hong Kong)
Art works from the students :
Contact and Support
Koala Excellence Olympiad
- Email: keo@koalaolympiad.com
- Australian Phone: +61 415 257 812
- Website: https://koalaolympiad.com/
- Australia Address: 459 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW 2010
- Facebook: The Koala English Olympiad – KEO (https://www.facebook.com/share/1GfzNfus8n/?mibextid=wwXIfr)
- Instagram: koala_english_olympiad_keo
- Another contact with Hong Kong representative: +852 63327108
The Koala English Olympiad (KEO) Team
