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Please note that the entry requirements and submission process differ
depending on whether you are applying from within or outside Japan.
Please ensure that your work data is no larger than 1 GB. If it is larger than this, it may not upload properly.
Theme
Leonardo da Vinci, the great master of the Italian Renaissance, is known as
a “universal genius” and a “Renaissance man” not only for his painting and sculpture, but also for his work in architecture, natural science, and music. Under the slogan “Hunt for This Century’s Leonardo da Vinci!,” Osaka University of Arts holds an art competition for high school students and invites submissions from a wide range of artistic genres.
For the first time, we are now accepting submissions from outside Japan. We want to see your work and the unique perspectives that only you can bring. We invite you to put your talents to the test, right here in Japan.
Application Guidelines
Eligibility:
Students born between 2008 and 2012, and enrolled in a high school (or equivalent) or college of technology as of April 1, 2026.
Entry period:
Wednesday, July 1 – Thursday, September 3, 2026
*Entries must be received by 5:00 p.m.
*All times are Japan Standard Time.
*Please apply well in advance, as the website is expected to become crowded just before the deadline.
No. of works: Up to two works per person
Screening Process: first- and second-round screenings, followed by a final screening
* To download a pdf with more details on applying, click here.
- There is no entry fee.
- Applications are limited to individuals. (Even if a work is created by a group, only one representative will be eligible to receive an award.)
- If a student wins an award before their final year of high school, they can choose to hold the prize until the year of their graduation.
- Submitted works must not have already publicly received a prize equivalent to a grand prize in another competition.
- Screening will be conducted by university faculty members and others. In some cases, no award may be given. The university does not accept inquiries regarding the screening process.
- Submitted works must be works for which the applicant owns all copyrights.
- Copyright in submitted works remains with the applicant. However, for the purpose of announcing screening results and related matters, the organizer may screen, broadcast, reproduce, print, exhibit, and publish the works on websites and elsewhere free of charge, and applicants are deemed to have agreed to this.
- By submitting an application, applicants are deemed to have agreed to these application guidelines. If the organizer determines that there has been a violation of copyright or any other rule, the application or award may be revoked, and return of prize money or other benefits may be requested.
- If a third party raises an objection or complaint regarding the copyright or other rights in a submitted work, the organizer bears no responsibility whatsoever, and the applicant shall handle the matter in full, including any costs incurred.
Application Categories and Fields
| Category | Fields | Requirements |
| Fine Arts | Painting | Height and width must each be at least 200 mm and no more than 1620 mm. |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | Height, width, and depth must each be no more than 500 mm, and weight must not exceed 5 kg. | |
| Design | Poster | B1 size (1030 mm high × 728 mm wide) |
| Free-Form Work | Height and width must each be at least 200 mm and no more than 1620 mm. | |
| Three-Dimensional Design | Height, width, and depth must each be no more than 500 mm. *A presentation board may be attached. |
|
| Crafts | Crafts (materials not specified) | For three-dimensional works: height, width, and depth must each be no more than 500 mm. For two-dimensional works: height and width must each be at least 200 mm and no more than 1620 mm. |
| Photography | Photography | Height and width must each be at least 200 mm and no more than 1620 mm. *If submitting a multi-photo composition, please arrange the photos in a layout. |
| Architecture | Architecture | Applicants must prepare drawings and a description of the work (within A1 size), together with a model. |
| Mascot/ Character |
Character Creation | Works can be hand-drawn or digital, up to A3 size. Describe the setting (the character’s name and personality, historical background, etc.) in the “work concept” section in about 200 words in English. |
| Manga | Submit a complete one-shot story (up to 32 pages) on manga manuscript paper no larger than B4 size. The cover page must include the title and the author’s name. *Page numbers are required. Treat the cover page as page 1, and when facing pages are arranged side by side, place the page numbers at the bottom outer edge of each page. |
|
| Figurine | In the “work concept” section, clearly explain your original figurine using images of the piece (multiple images permitted) and describing the setting (the character’s name and personality, historical background, etc.) in about 200 words in English. *An original figurine created by the applicant within the past year. |
|
| Animation | A video work of no more than 5 minutes | |
| Film and Video | Film | A short film or trailer of no more than 5 minutes |
| Video | Works such as special-effects films, art animation, music videos, and promotional videos, of no more than 5 minutes | |
| Music | Performance (Vocal/Instrumental) | A video of yourself singing or performing a musical piece of your choice. Maximum length: 10 minutes. In the “work concept” section, clearly describe your thoughts behind your choice of piece in about 200 words in English. *For ensemble performances, only the applicant’s individual performance will be evaluated, so the applicant must be clearly identified in the “work concept” section. |
| Composition (any genre) | An audio recording or video of an original composition. Maximum length: 10 minutes. Clearly describe the work’s concept in about 200 words in English, and attach sheet music if available. |
|
| Performance Arts | Acting/Dance/Popular Dance | A video work between 5 and 10 minutes in length created around the theme “The stage is a mirror reflecting the world.” *If there are co-performers, only the applicant’s individual performance skills will be evaluated, so the applicant must be clearly identified in the “work concept” section. |
| Broadcasting | Video/Audio Work | A video or audio work of no more than 8 minutes, intended for broadcast on television or radio, such as a documentary, drama, or variety program. |
| Vertical Short Drama | A three-part short drama, filmed vertically (9:16) on a smartphone, consisting of a first, middle, and third part. Each part must be no longer than 60 seconds. *When applying, please submit the three files combined into a single ZIP file. The three parts will be treated as a single work. |
|
| Art Science | Original Work Using Generative AI | A video of no more than 1 minute or a still image that expresses your thoughts on issues relating to the environment and internet society, or on issues relating to peace of mind and spiritual well-being. We seek works that make use of AI technology while combining it with human perspective and creativity. |
Please note that the entry requirements and submission process differ depending on whether you are applying from within or outside Japan.
■ Screening Process
・In the first- and second-round screening for 2D and 3D works,
judges will review the images submitted at the time of application.
・Video and audio works will be screened based on the submitted work data.
■ Display of Selected Works
If your work passes the screening rounds and is displayed in the exhibition, the image, video, or audio data submitted at the time of application will be used, so please submit high-resolution data. （For two-dimensional works, the maximum size is approximately B1.）
How to Apply
Contact
Osaka University of Arts
“Hunt for This Century’s Leonardo da Vinci!” High School Art Competition Secretariat
c/o Art Information Center
469 Higashiyama Kanan-cho, Minamikawachi-gun, Osaka 585-8555, Japan
E-mail: davinci@osaka-geidai.ac.jp
*Inquiries are accepted by email only.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We will endeavor to respond to inquiries on the
next business day or as soon as possible after.
Results Announcement
First-round screening
Mid-September
Announcement of selected entrants
Late October
Results for selected entrants will be published on the website.
Prizes
*These prizes are awarded to support winners' artistic development and in the hope that they will enable recipients to flourish in their chosen fields in the future.
| Da Vinci Grand Prize | Full tuition waiver for four years or a 500,000 yen prize |
| Gold Prize | 300,000 yen prize |
| Silver Prize | 200,000 yen prize |
| Bronze Prize | 100,000 yen prize |
| Chair of Judges Prize | 100,000 yen prize |
| Best in Each Category | 30,000 yen prize |
| Osaka University of Arts Junior College Special Prize | 30,000 yen prize |
| Osaka College of Art Special Prize | 30,000 yen prize |
| Special Prize | 10,000 yen prize | Selected Entries (works that pass the second-round screening) |
5,000 yen prize |
Notes:
• This may not be combined with any other tuition waiver program offered by the university.
• The prize will be transferred to the recipient’s chosen bank account by bank transfer in Japanese yen.
• Any taxes or similar in Japan arising from transferring the prize will be borne by the university. However, any taxes, handling fees, or similar in the recipient’s country or region arising as a result of receiving the prize will be the responsibility of the recipient.
*The prize amount may vary depending on the exchange rate at the time it is received.
Exhibition
Exhibition period: Tuesday, November 24 – Saturday, November 28
Venue opening hours: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Venue: Exhibition Hall, 1F, Art Information Center, Osaka University of Arts