The Big Draw Festival is a worldwide celebration of drawing! Here at The Big Draw, we promote the universal language of drawing as a tool for learning, expression, and invention. We are the founder and driving force behind The Big Draw Festival, which is a major component of our work in encouraging people to get back to the drawing board!
The Festival is made up of a collection of thousands of creative events, activities, and workshops across the globe run by organisations big and small; from individuals to entire cities! It is you, the Organisers, who make our dreams a reality...
Announcing The Big Draw Festival 2024 theme...
The Big Draw Festival 2024: Drawing in Motion
The 2024 Big Draw Festival theme #DrawinginMotion is a celebration of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of drawing. This theme invites people from all corners of the globe to explore how the act of drawing can capture the essence of movement, energy, and life. Moving beyond the notion of drawing as a static art form, ‘Drawing in Motion’ emphasises the fluidity and vibrancy of the creative process, showcasing how lines, shapes, and forms can convey movement and bring art to life. Why not join in and be part of The World's Biggest community of drawing enthusiasts!
Find out more about this year's theme here.
SIGN UP HERE.
Take a look at our 2024 Subscription Guide below to view the organiser subscription options and packages, and find out which tier applies to you:
#TheBigDraw #BDF2024 #DrawinginMotion
Who can organise an event?
Anyone can sign up to The Big Draw Festival and organise events. Our mission is to get EVERYONE drawing...
Whether you represent a gallery, museum, library, school, care home, community centre or you are just someone passionate about drawing, anyone can register to be part of the international Big Draw Festival!
When Should we sign up and what are the fees?
Registrations are now open for The 2024 Big Draw Festival: #DrawinginMotion. Take a look at some of the Organiser benefits here. We advise you to sign up as soon as you can to register and access all the promotional resources available to plan and market your event(s).
**The Big Draw has removed Individual Organisers fees for 2024**
Covid-19 has devastated the arts and culture community with individual artists and creatives working as freelancers being particularly negatively affected. For the fourth year in a row, The Big Draw has decided to waive the £50 registration fee for individual artists to encourage more participation and re-energise the hard-hit arts and culture sector.
FIND OUT MORE.
**Schools Offer**
We are offering a special discount for non-fee-paying schools for The Big Draw Festival 2024. All eligible schools that sign up will receive 20% off their 2024 Big Draw Subscription!
Be inspired by what other schools have done and sign your school up today!
SIGN UP HERE.
Why is there a fee to Sign Up?
Without any public subsidy, The Big Draw Festival is 100% funded through your participation. You are not only taking part in The World's Biggest Drawing Festival, you are supporting The Big Draw charity and joining a movement heralding the vital role of visual literacy in our schools, workplaces, healthcare settings and beyond. Find out more about our charity here.
Fees ordinarily start at £50 for non-fee paying schools (this has been reduced to £40 for The Big Draw Festival 2024!). Ordinarily, the Individual Organisers fee is also £50, but The Big Draw has waived this fee since 2020.
Festival Sponsor-Partner Packages and sponsorship packages for Publishers are also available during The Big Draw Festival.
Take a look at our 2023 Subscription Guide below to view the organiser subscription options and packages, and find out which tier applies to you:
Your subscription includes: Exclusive access to marketing resources including guidelines, logos, posters, certificates, press release and sponsorship templates, eligibility for Big Draw Awards, a bespoke welcome pack and more.
You are The Big Draw, and our charitable mission would not be possible without your support!
Be part of The World's Biggest Drawing Festival!
Once you've registered to take part in The Big Draw Festival 2024, you can run events all the way through until February 2025!
SIGN UP HERE.
Subscribe to our mailing list to receive Big Draw Festival news!
Get in Touch
If you have questions about how becoming a Big Draw Festival Organiser can benefit you and your organisation please get in touch and we'll be happy to help!
When + Where does it take place?
The Big Draw Festival takes place annually year-round! The official Festival month runs from 1 - 31 October. Once registered you can list your events any time of the year! We have many organisers who run monthly or even weekly events as part of their Big Draw subscription.
Although initiated in the UK events now take place worldwide, last year there were events in 28 countries and The Big Draw Community continues to grow!
THE Big Draw Festival Awards
Win up to £500 for your event! The Big Draw Festival Awards reward drawing without borders – activities that extend our definitions of drawing and audiences by being both experimental and inclusive.
Read more here.
#TheBigDraw Festival Timeline
September: Theme announced and registrations open
September: Big Draw Festival Awards (for events held in 2023)
1 - 31 October: The Official Big Draw Festival Month | Worldwide | It's over to you!
1 October - 28 February: The Big Draw Festival Awards Applications open and voting for The People's Choice Award open
Don’t forget, #DrawinginMotion events can be run anytime between September 2024 and February 2025!
Read our testimonials here for more from our Big Draw Organisers! Alongside all the benefits above organising a Big Draw event can help you achieve DoE or Arts Award goals!
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Does our event have to be free?
If you are able to fling your doors open to one and all for free that's great!
However, many organisers take part to fundraise for their own campaigns; if you have a new initiative or upcoming workshop you'd like to align with The Big Draw Festival, signing up is a great way to boost the profile of your event!
Please refer to our Marketing Toolkit after signing up for tips on fundraising!