Some of the most beautiful art in the world is made by children. Stone Soup began collecting international children’s art in the 1970s, and you can see many examples from our museum collection right here on our Web site. Over the years we have learned about other children’s art museums and collections all over the world. Here’s some information about them. Please let us know about museums and collections that are not listed here.
Internet only
Calling themselves “the world’s largest art museum for young artists,” Artsonia operates entirely on the Internet. View their collection of thousands of works of art by children in over 100 countries, enter a contest, try out a project.
New York, New York
In the Soho district of Manhattan, the Children’s Museum of the Arts offers classes for children and maintains a permanent collection of over two thousand paintings and drawings by children from around the world. The CMA collection features works from the 1938 WPA Children’s Art Project, as well as art from over fifty countries, including China, Pakistan, Argentina, Norway, Australia, Indonesia, Senegal and Russia.
The Jewish Museum in Prague, Czech Republic, includes a permanent exhibition of children’s drawings from Terezin. During World War II, Terezin was a transit camp where Jewish inmates were held before shipment to extermination camps. “Only a few of the Terezin children survived; the vast majority were deported to Auschwitz where they were exterminated. In many cases, these pictures are all that is left to commemorate their lives.”
International Child Art Foundation
Washington, DC
ICAF is a multi-faceted organization that supports creativity in children by offering classes, competitions, festivals, and exhibits. ICAF organizes the Arts Olympiad every four years and publishes a quarterly magazine called ChildArt. The ICAF Web site offers a generous sampling of children’s art from their collection.
The International Museum of Children’s Art
Oslo, Norway
Founded in 1986 by the Goldin family (originally from Russia), this museum is one of the largest in the world, with hundreds of works by children displayed in a magnificent old house in Oslo.
Museum of Greek Children’s Art
Athens, Greece
Right in the middle of the historic district of Athens, the Museum of Greek Children’s Art is a small jewel, featuring the best work from the museum’s annual art competition for Greek children.
Menlo Park, California
Since 1975 Paintbrush Diplomacy has conducted cross-cultural art and writing exchange programs around the world. The permanent collection contains over 2000 pieces of art created by children from over 100 countries.
Shankar’s International Children’s Competition
New Delhi, India
Every year, over 100,000 entries are received from children all over the world for this painting competition, which first ran in 1949. The competition is part of the Children’s Book Trust, which includes an International Doll Museum, a children’s book collection, and a children’s magazine. Be sure to visit their informative Web site!
World Awareness Children’s Museum
Glens Falls, New York
Founded in 1995 in Glens Falls, New York, the World Awareness Children’s Museum is an educational institution committed to using children’s art to promote peace and understanding among people of the world. Programs include exhibitions, an art exchange, and educator-led tours.
World School Children’s Art Exhibition
Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
Every year, the Association for Education through Art in Taipei, Taiwan holds a far-reaching international children’s art competition. The spectacular work of the winning artists is published in a full-color book. Visit their Web site for contest rules.
