On 16 December 2020, online submissions closed for the Discover the Arctic! All-Russian Children's competition. The event was organised by the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Data Analysis Centre of the State Commission for the Development of the Arctic (DAC SCDA).

Over the 27-day submission period, the organisers received 8,195 drawings from 7,232 artists between 6–17 years old from across Russia and from Russians living abroad.

'When looking at the themes and characters that inspired the children's art, we can definitely say that the polar bear was absolutely the star of the contest, closely followed by cute seals, puffins, and other arctic animals. Our competition introduced many of these children to the Arctic and helped them realise the fragility of the ecosystem and its fleeting beauty. There's no doubt that this experience will shape the new generation and teach them that we must care for the environment', said Dmitry Lidkovsky, Director of DAC SCDA.

Many of the works of art are dedicated to the discovery of the Arctic, human activities in the region, and its future.

'The art and essays submitted by children living on the North Pole are especially noteworthy. Sometimes these works allow us, the adults, to discover something we did not know about the culture and traditions of the region. It inspires us to go there and see it all for ourselves', added Lidkovsky.

The panel of judges will have some tough decisions to make; many of the works of art are emotionally charged and artistically excellent.

The expert panel, all professionals in the field of children's creative art, will select 100 art pieces for the final round. These pieces will be then be judged by B. Nemensky, Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts; D. Gubanov, Principal of the Moscow Academic Art Lyceum of the Russian Academy of Arts; and A. Krutikov, First Deputy Minister of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East. The judges will select 11 winners.

Until 24 December, internet users will also be able to vote for which art they believe should win the Audience Choice Award. We invite you to see all of the submissions and vote for your favourites on the website: https://deti.arctic-russia.ru/, as well as read and vote for your favourite essays.

This project was supported by the International Union of Teachers-Artists, the All-Russian Centre for the Development of Artistic Creativity and Humanitarian Technologies, and the Centre for Continuous Art Education.

Competition partners included the Moscow Central School of Art of the Russian Academy of Arts, the State Darwin Museum, Paulsen publishing house, and the Giotto and Daler-Rowney art brands, which provided the prizes for the winners and established their own categories.