What can you see in your mind’s eye (imagination) when you think of ‘The Tempest’, ‘Macbeth’ or ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’? Is it the setting of the story? Has a particular character made a lasting impression? Was there a particular scene that you want to bring to life? For Shakespeare Week 2026 we want you to create a piece of art work to show what is in your mind’s eye. Visit our online exhibition to see how Shakespeare’s plays have inspired other artists. Use the play summaries, text extracts and character information on our website to build an image of one of these plays. and seek inspiration from our picture galleries.
We can’t wait to see what you create - and you might win some fabulous prizes! We will also share the winning entries in our online exhibition. You can choose how to present your art work and can create it using any materials or media: collage, paint, ink, clay, fabric - it’s up to you! Postal entries can be up to A3 size or you can send us a photo of your artwork if it’s too big to post. Most importantly, we want you to explain what you have created. This can be annotations, a written paragraph or even a video.
Primary school children and home-educated children can enter work under two age categories:
- 4-7 years
- 8-11 years
In addition, a prize will be awarded to the best collective entry from a school.
Winning entries will be displayed alongside designs created by children's illustrators including Shakespeare Week patron, Marcia Williams, as well as the special images from our collection that are in the online exhibition hosted on the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust website.
How to enter
Entry to the competition is FREE. Please send your entries by post to:
Shakespeare Week Competition
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
38 Henley Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
CV37 6QW
You may also email your entries to [email protected]. You can send us word files, PDFs and mp4 video files.
Please fill out the My Mind's Eye information sheet for each entry and make sure that you include the following information:
- First name
- Age (and school year)
- School or home address as applicable
- Teacher or parent’s email address
If you would like your entries to be returned just write 'please return' on a slip of paper with your entry and include a stamped addressed envelope. Unfortunately we can only return entries with the correct postage and packaging included.
Please send your entries to us to arrive no later than 29 May 2026.
Good luck! We look forward to seeing your fantastic entries!
The prizes
Each of our two category winners will have their entry included in our online exhibition, as well as a bundle of Shakespeare themed goodies, art materials and books.
The winner of the collective school entry will receive a day of creative workshops from an arts professional as well as some books for the school library.
Need to know
Entries must be received by 26 May 2026. Entries must have the correct postage and packaging if you'd like your entry to be returned. The winners will be officially announced on the Shakespeare Week website before the end of June 2025.
All entrants must live in the UK, be age 11 or under (in Years R to 6 or equivalent) and should ask permission from a teacher, parent or guardian before entering.
Prizes are subject to availability and do not include travel expenses. If, in circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to provide the stated prize we will try to offer an alternative prize of a similar value. No cash alternative will be offered.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust reserves the right to amend or cancel the competition at any time, if deemed necessary or if circumstances arise outside of the Trust's control.
By submitting an entry you (or your parents/guardian or teacher) are agreeing to abide by the full Terms & Conditions of this competition, so please take a minute to read them over.