About 'See & Share'
The 'See & Share' Global Youth Art Contest is an international youth art competition jointly organized by the Commonweal of Liberal Arts, Nanjing (CLAN) and the CLAN International Youth Innovators' Hub in Portugal. Since its inception in 2020, the contest has successfully held five editions, attracting over 3,000 young participants from more than ten countries worldwide. Through artistic creation, the contest serves as a bridge for global youth, fostering cross-cultural communication and collaboration.
Background of the Contest
At the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, leading to school closures and severely impacting the lives of over one billion young people. Many children were forced into isolation at home, losing opportunities to interact with peers and international counterparts. Against this backdrop, the CLAN team launched the first 'See & Share' International Children's Painting and Calligraphy Contest. The aim was to encourage children to express their experiences, thoughts, and observations through painting, calligraphy, and crafts in an online format, creating a global exchange platform for young people.
Contest Development
Since its first edition in 2020, 'See & Share' has grown in scale and influence. Below are key milestones in its development:
Participation and Countries:
2020: The inaugural contest received nearly 400 artworks from four countries.
2021: Over 500 submissions were received, with participants from five countries.
2022: The third edition attracted 502 submissions from China, Portugal, the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Kuwait, and Malaysia.
2023: The fourth edition featured 512 artworks from nine countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
2024: The fifth edition received 560 submissions from Portugal, China, the UK, Spain, Italy, France, Luxembourg and Japan.
2025: The sixth edition of the contest received 533 submissions from 12 countries, including Portugal, China, the UK, Canada, the Netherlands, Hungary, Singapore, and others, continuing to expand its global reach and cross-cultural engagement.
International Youth Art Exhibition from 2023
2023 Exhibition: From June 3 to June 9, the fourth 'See & Share' International Youth Art Exhibition was successfully held at the Macau Scientific and Cultural Center (CCCM) in Lisbon, Portugal. The exhibition showcased 76 artworks from China, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Germany, France, and Luxembourg, attracting over a hundred guests at the opening ceremony. This was the first international children's art exhibition organized by the Chinese community in Portugal, enhancing the contest's global reputation and providing a high-quality artistic exchange platform for young artists.
2024 Exhibition: From May 15 to May 26, the outstanding works from the fifth contest were displayed at the Macau Scientific and Cultural Center (CCCM) in Lisbon, Portugal. Themed "Nature and the Future," the exhibition featured 560 artworks from Portugal, China, the UK, Spain, Italy, France, and Japan, drawing over a thousand visitors. Attendees praised the artworks for their technical excellence and profound emotional expression. During the exhibition, organizers also hosted cultural heritage workshops, including calligraphy, rubbing, tea ceremony, and zongzi-making, attracting numerous international families and fostering deeper cultural exchanges between Asia and Europe.
2025 “See & Share” Global Youth Art Contest – “Bridging the World, Shaping the Future.”
The 2025 “See & Share” Global Youth Art Contest brought together 533 works from young artists across 12 countries, including Portugal, China, the UK, Canada, the Netherlands, Hungary, and Singapore. Officially authorized as a partner of the 9th Asian Winter Games, the contest featured a grand award ceremony and public exhibition in Lisbon, which ran from May 31 to August 1, 2025.
Celebrating cross-cultural creativity and innovation, the competition invited renowned international and Chinese artists and cultural scholars as jurors, awarding Gold, Silver, Bronze, Merit, and Special Awards. This edition offered a vivid platform for global youth to share their artistic visions and connect across continents.
Contest Highlights
Asian Winter Games Partnership
In 2025, 'See & Share' officially becomes an international partner of the 9th Asian Winter Games (Harbin 2025), marking a new milestone in its global cultural exchange influence.
Prestigious International Judges
The 2025 edition will invite esteemed artists, educators, technology experts, and cultural scholars worldwide to ensure professional and fair judging.
Global Exhibition Opportunities
Outstanding works will be showcased in multiple cities across Europe and Asia, with both online and offline exhibitions to maximize exposure.
Multicultural Exchange
A series of cross-cultural workshops and lectures will be organized, fostering greater interaction among participants.
