The theme is "Harmony"

Keith Haring was a leading painter in the American art scene of the 1980s. During his lifetime, he produced numerous works including those for child welfare, workshops with children, mural paintings worldwide, and posters with HIV/AIDS prevention awareness and social messages.


The "Nakamura Keith Haring Collection" in Yamanashi Prefecture, located at the foot of the Yatsugatake mountains, has been holding an international painting competition for children since 2009. The competition began with the wish that "children who will carry the future should be able to draw with free imagination, without barriers." This year's theme is "Harmony."

As the only competition in the world certified by the Keith Haring Foundation, it receives over 1,000 entries from around the globe each year. Judges are invited from Japan and various other countries and fields, and the competition is characterized by its engagement with children's diverse individuality and sensibilities, and the establishment of a wide variety of awards.

The 9th Nakamura Keith Haring Collection International Painting Competition
Theme | "Harmony"
Application Period | July 20 (Thu) - September 30 (Sat), 2017 (Results Announcement: By October 20, 2017)
Eligibility | Ages 4-17
Categories | Ages 4-8, Ages 9-12, Ages 13-17
Awards | Keith Haring Foundation Award, Art & Fashion Award, Yamanashi Governor's Award, Atsushi Kitagawara Award, Art Critic Award, Nakamura Keith Haring Collection Award, Civic Holdings Inc. Award, Special Award, etc.
Award Ceremony | November 26 (Sun), 2017
Judges | Julia Gruen (Director, Keith Haring Foundation, New York), Patricia Field (Costume Designer/Stylist), Atsushi Kitagawara (Architect/Professor, Tokyo University of the Arts), Kaoru Yanase (Advisor, Nakamura Keith Haring Collection / AICA International Association of Art Critics), Kazuo Nakamura (Director, Nakamura Keith Haring Collection), Vasene W. Kosloff (Artist), Makoto Murata (Art Journalist), Shikon Shingetsu (Artist)

How to Apply
1) Within A4 size. Only flat paintings are accepted. (Materials and techniques such as watercolor, oil paint, colored pencils, crayons, collage, prints, etc., are free.)
2) Please write the required information below on the back of your artwork. ① Name (with furigana) ② Email Address (case-sensitive) ③ Postal Code/Address ④ Phone Number ⑤ School Name/Grade ⑥ Age ⑦ Title of Artwork ⑧ Description of Artwork (Optional)
3) Please enclose a copy of your artwork, A4 size. You can download the entry form from http://www.nakamura-haring.com/blog/

Mailing Address
Nakamura Keith Haring Collection
10249-7 Kobuchizawa-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, 408-0044

*Please note that entries not conforming to the specified size may not be considered.
*Ownership and copyright of submitted works belong to the organizer. Personal information provided on the application list and entry form will be used for judging, notification of results, posting on the event website, event publications, and media coverage, including the winner's name. In such cases, your name, prefecture of residence, grade, etc., may be published.
*Submitted works cannot be returned.
*Submitted works must be original and unpublished.