Competitions

Maidstone Borough Council runs a number of arts competitions throughout the year. Please see below for currently active competitions and follow the individual links for more details.

Easter Bonnet Competition
Get involved in Creative Maidstone's Easter Bonnet competition! Design your own blooming marvellous headwear, whether you choose to go fully floral or decorate it with Easter eggs, chicks or bunnies, the choice is yours.
The competition is open to children up to the age of 16 years. Parents can help little fingers with the construction but we ask that the designs are entirely the work of the young person.

How to Enter
Simply design and make your Easter bonnet and bring it along to Creative Maidstone on Friday 10th April at 11am to take part in our Parade, when the judging will also take place.

Alternatively, join our Easter Bonnet workshop at 10am on the day and create your bonnet just in time for the parade.

The Prize
The overall winner will receive 4 free tickets to Kent Life (each ticket is valid for one person). These have been generously donated by Kent Life to help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Maidstone River Park this year.

Mote Park Art Competition 2026
The theme for this year's competition is 'Park Life'. You could take inspiration from the wonderful diversity of wildlife in the park, or how it's used by people, such as a family picnic or a large music festival.
Artworks can be in any medium, except photography. We particularly welcome 3D submissions including textiles, glass, pottery and woodwork, as well as paintings and drawings.
Find out more about this year's competition and how to enter here.