Reception – May 1, 2026 from 3:30 to 6:30 PM.
Call for Designs & Paintings
🎨 Creative Voices for a Global Celebration
We are pleased to invite artists, designers, illustrators, students, and creative communities to participate in an art and design initiative for the King’s Baton Relay 2026 of the Commonwealth Games.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to an international event that symbolizes:
- 🌍 Unity across Commonwealth nations
- 🤝 Cultural diversity and mutual respect
- 🕊 Peace, cooperation, and shared values
- 🏃 Youth, sport, and global connection
🏆 Themes
“More in Common” – Celebrating our differences, our youth and our athletes
and working together through sport and across the Commonwealth to take on
challenges in a unity of purpose
“Join the Wave” – Taking action to tackle plastic across our oceans and
waterways; championing sustainability
Sub-themes may include:
- Cultural identity and heritage
- Youth empowerment
- Environmental sustainability
- Peace and global solidarity
- Sportsmanship and unity
The Baton’s Form
“The design, materials and craftsmanship of the King’s Baton is rich in Glaswegian history and Games Legacy. Each Baton will be formed out of ash trees which are from local parks in Glasgow.
The Baton will stand at around 500mm high and each face around 70mm wide. The ends are smaller to enable easy access for Batonbearers. This will be one of the lightest Batons, creating a more accessible Baton for the KBR.
The Baton stands by itself or can be laid flat, to show off the decorated faces.”
🎨 What We Are Looking For
We invite submissions in the following categories:
🖌 Paintings
- Traditional paintings (oil, watercolor, acrylic, ink)
- Mixed media artworks
- Cultural and symbolic representations
✏️ Designs
- Graphic design concepts
- Baton visual concepts
- Poster designs
- Digital illustrations
- Pattern designs
- Contemporary art concepts
📌 Who Can Participate
- Artists
- Students
- Schools and art institutions
- Cultural organizations
- Community art groups
- Independent designers
Participants from all Commonwealth nations are strongly encouraged to apply.
📂 Submission Guidelines
Format:
- Digital submissions (JPG, PNG, PDF)
- Minimum resolution: 300 DPI
Include:
- Artist / Student name
- Country
- Age group (optional)
- Title of artwork
- Short description (max 150 words)
- Contact information
🗓 Timeline
- Call for submissions opens: January 1st, 2026
- New! King’s Baton Relay (Vancouver): May 2nd, 2026 (For designs and paintings to be printed on a banner for this event, please submit your designs or paintings by April 25th, 2026.)
- Submission deadline: May 30th, 2026
- Selection announcement: June 30th, 2026
- Exhibition & showcase: During Commonwealth Games 2026
🏅 Recognition & Opportunities
Selected works may be:
- Featured in local official Baton Relay exhibitions
- Used in promotional materials
- Showcased in digital galleries
- Recognized in official publications
Artists will receive:
- Official recognition certificates
- International exposure
🌐 How to Submit
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌍 Website: www.rcsbc.ca
✨ Join Us in Making History
Your art can become part of a global journey — carried across nations, cultures, and communities.
Create. Connect. Inspire. Unite.
Be part of the King’s Baton Relay 2026.
This initiative celebrates creativity, diversity, and shared humanity across the Commonwealth world.