The work we do
The Big Draw is a pioneering visual literacy charity dedicated to raising the profile of drawing as a tool for wellbeing, thought, creativity, social and cultural engagement. We believe drawing is an essential human skill important in all walks of life, and our work has won support from leading practitioners within the arts, sciences and education. Take a look at some of our campaign videos here. With educational policies increasingly de-valuing the role of creative subjects and careers in our society and economy, The Big Draw strives to ensure access for all to creative events, training and resources. We believe in 'drawing to learn, not learning to draw’ and with your support we can continue to champion the importance of visual literacy worldwide.
We are a small charity with a global reach and high aspirations in receipt of no statutory funding. We have created an international drawing festival - The Big Draw Festival - that has tempted over 4.5 million people back to the drawing board, established a platform for emerging artists through our national contemporary art prize, The John Ruskin Prize and exhibition, and we lobby in parliament to highlight the vital role of creativity in education and beyond and herald the STEAM over STEM agenda.
The Big Draw's continued development is made possible by the support of many organisations and individuals who share our vision. Without them and the commitment of hundreds of venues across the UK and beyond, our mission would be unachievable.
To make a fast, one-off donation simply click on the button below where you will be taken to our PayPal donations page. All donations, big or small make a real difference!
Registered Charity no. 1114811 | The Big Draw is a registered Trademark.
Text to Donate
We've launched our text to donate service which means that it's easier than ever to support The Big Draw! For less than the cost of a cup of coffee you can support the world's largest drawing festival and allow us to continue our work of promoting the universal language of drawing.
Whip out those mobiles to show your support for The Big Draw!
Text DRAW to 70470 to donate £2.
GET INVOLVED
There are many ways to support The Big Draw mission! Take a look below at how to become a Festival Organiser, make a one-off donation or to sponsor a strand of our charitable work.
Become a Big Draw Festival Organiser | starting at £40 / year
Be part of our worldwide community of drawing enthusiasts and benefit from a whole host of organiser perks. You ARE The Big Draw Festival!
Registrations are now open for The Big Draw Festival 2023.
Become a Big Draw Festival Sponsor-Partner | starting at £400 / year
A great way for larger organisations to be part of The Big Draw Festival and benefit from next-level promotional support. Becoming a Sponsor-Partner can be a potential stepping stone to various future partnerships with the Big Draw, whether in The Big Draw Festival or with our many other events, programmes and initiatives throughout the year.
Take a look at some of our 2022 Sponsor-Partners here.
Click below to view the organiser subscription options and packages:
Please contact Sandra to discuss the benefits of becoming a Big Draw Festival Co-Creator.
SPONSOR A Big Draw Festival Award
Every year, The Big Draw awards 7 prizes and hosts a high profile awards ceremony showcasing the jaw-dropping Big Draw Festival events of organisations and individuals worldwide, selected by an expert panel of art educators and innovators. Sponsoring an award carries a number of benefits, past supporters have included: The Arts Society, The Barbara Whatmore Charitable Foundation, Marmalade of Toast, Simon's Group and Foster & Partners.
Please contact Jane Barnes to discuss the benefits of sponsoring a Big Draw Festival Award.
SPONSOR A JOHN RUSKIN PRIZE AWARD
Since The John Ruskin Prize launched in 2012, we have delivered 5 national prizes, considered entries from over 4500 artists and makers, awarded £20,000 in prizes to 11 winning artists, promoted and displayed the work of 143 artists and designers at high profile national museums and galleries attracting an audience of over 120,000 visitors to John Ruskin Prize shortlist exhibitions and events.The prize continues to grow in reach, reputation and support for artists whose work defies easy categorisation.
Read more here and view Press coverage from the 2017 and 2019 prizes here.
Buy from or donate to The Big Draw Shop
The Big Draw Shop is a great place to find a unique gift for your crafty pals... Looking for an artwork by an artist on the up? Our Ruskin Editions collection features limited edition prints and originals by Ruskin Prize alumni. Sale of works primarily benefits the artists with a portion going back into The Ruskin Prize Fund.
If you are an artist, illustrator or author and you have items you would like to donate to The Big Draw Shop (alongside the likes of Chris Riddell, Nick Sharratt and Posy Simmonds...) we will host your web and portfolio links on thebigdraw.org and bigdrawshop.co.uk as supporters and promote your work to our audience of art lovers!
Find out more about The Big Draw Festival reach and audience here.
Who The Big Draw reaches
Your support has already enabled us to make inspiring progress. Every October, over 500,000 people participate in The Big Draw Festival all over the world thanks to inspiring events hosted by people like you!
Since our very first Big Draw Festival Awards over 15 years ago we have presented over 250 organisations, schools and charities with over £50k in awards to boost their creative outreach programmes and facilities. All registered Big Draw Organisers are eligible to apply for our annual awards.
The Big Draw Festival and Awards act as an important annual profile raising and fundraising opportunity for many charities, non-profits and outreach programmes. Just a few of the charitable organisations we have worked with include: AlderHey Children's Hospital, Arts4Dementia, Blind Veterans UK, Great Ormand Street Hospital, Ordsall Community Arts, Oasis Cardiff, Brecon Area Dementia Friendly Community, 3 Peel Group India, Wyre Community Land Trust, St Wilfred's Hospice and many more.
Supporting The Creative Industry
Every year, The Big Draw, both directly and indirectly provides paid employment and CPD opportunities for artists and creative practitioners. Every year, an average of 500 creative practitioners are commissioned to design workshops and events as part of The Big Draw Festival.
In 2012 we extended our support for artists by launching The John Ruskin Prize with The Guild of St George. The prize provides a supportive platform for UK based artists working in a range of media whose practice is under-pinned by drawing (in it's many guises). Take a look at the website here for more information.
Thank you!
We depend on your ongoing support to fund and develop our pioneering work in promoting and increasing visual literacy, and ensuring that EVERYONE has access to creative opportunities and the limitless possibilities of drawing.