The Big Draw Turns 20!

Founded in 2000, The Big Draw is a visual literacy charity that promotes the universal language of drawing as a tool for learning, expression and invention. We are a small charity with a huge 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.

The Big Draw Festival 2020

The Big Green Draw: A Climate of Change

In 2020 The Big Green Draw Festival #ClimateOfChange focuses on the relationship between people and our living environments and ecosystems; highlighting how we live today and the ways in which we do and do not harmonise with nature. The Big Green Draw is eager to help showcase mindsets and actions that proactively support positive symbiosis between people and the Earth. So this is a great year to bring your community together, draw, explore, get out and about, kick start a new creative you and be part of The World's Biggest community of drawing enthusiasts!

Why not read our 2020 Minimag, crammed full of inspiration and ideas for running #BigGreenDraw events, both digital and physical!

#BigGreenDraw #ClimateofChange #BigDrawTurns20

2020 Is A BIG Year For The Big Draw As We Celebrate Our 20th Anniversary!

We have lots of exciting things planned and can't wait to share them with you all. We will continue to update this page with some of our exciting plans throughout the year...

The Big Draw has removed Individual Organisers fees for 2020

Covid-19 has devastated the arts and culture community with individual artists and creatives working as freelancers being particularly negatively affected. 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.

Meet some of the animals featured in our 2020 #BigGreenDraw theme

These beautiful creatures were created by Vicky Philips, Lightship Printshop. All of these animals are endangered, and it is up to us as a society to protect and speak up for these vulnerable species before it's too late. If certain species do disappear, this results in eco-systems becoming frail and links between animals and food chains breaking.

Take a look at our Endangered animals page to learn more about some of these creatures. If you're feeling creative, why not grab a pencil & some paper and draw them? Upload to social media using the hashtags #BigGreenDraw #ClimateofChange and tag us so we can share your drawings with our audience whilst shining a light on these amazing animals!

Introducing our #ClimateofChange Mascot... The Green Man!

Gary Andrews, our spectacular Ambassador, has whipped up another memorable character. We're pleased to introduce you to, The Green Man! A hunky eco-friendly character who will be sharing his best social distancing and lockdown tips through The Big Draw social media channels during April... Come meet him!

Support The Big Draw

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.

Find out the many ways in which you can support our work here.

Registered Charity no. 1114811 | The Big Draw is a registered Trademark.

To make a fast, one-off donation of any amount use your credit or debit card via the secure via The Big Give. All donations, big or small make a real difference!

Support us when you shop online

Thinking of purchasing something on amazon? Visit smile.amazon.co.uk instead! This is the same site as Amazon with the same products - just the charitable arm of Amazon.

Search for either 'The Big Draw' or 'The Campaign for Drawing' in the 'Pick your own Charity' tool bar and select. Once you've selected the charity you should receive an email from Amazon. Remember to bookmark the page so you return to smile.amazon.co.uk as charities aren't eligible for donations through the normal Amazon site. A portion of the proceeds from your following purchases will go directly to The Big Draw. Yippee!

You can also donate via PayPal Giving Fund as well as directly on our website.

Past events

Meet The Big Draw Team for our first "Digital Festival Roadshow"!

Come meet The Big Draw team and learn more about the charity and our annual, global Festival in our FREE "Digital Festival Roadshow" on 9 June at one of our two virtual sessions at 12:30pm or 6:30pm.

These sessions will be the perfect mix of fun and educational that you've come to expect from The Big Draw. The team will present different ways of adopting our 2020 Festival theme, The Big Green Draw: A Climate of Change while also operating a chat to answer all of your nitty-gritty questions. Whether you've got queries about how to sign up, how you can take your event digital, or just want to know more about The Big Draw and the world's largest drawing festival - the team will be there to energise and inspire you.

Sign me up!

Please note: Ticket sales close 5pm Monday 8 June.