Newsday

Tuesday

Call for Young Artists

Time is running out to submit to the Visual Arts Competition. This year, we are asking students to create artwork based on the inspiring theme: "Be Bold - Be The Change."

This exciting competition is designed to encourage and celebrate youth visual art skills and gives the youth we serve another outlet for their creativity. The winning projects will be used to create a set of twelve note cards and envelopes to be sold at the International Convention.

Key Details:

• Eligibility: Artists must be age 11 or younger (as of October 1, 2025).
• Deadline: Physical artwork must be mailed to Optimist International no later than March 1, 2026.

Click on the image below to download the application and view the full submission guidelines. Please share this with anyone in the appropriate age range and encourage them to submit their masterpiece!

Global Spotlight: IFOC Creatives Festival Sparks National Inspiration

The Indonesian First Optimist Club has started the year with a major milestone for youth development. What began as a grassroots community initiative has blossomed into a true national phenomenon: the IFOC Creatives Festival 2025.

This expansion brings the Optimist mission of "Bringing Out the Best in Youth" to life on a grand scale. By elevating the festival to a national platform, the IFOC created a vibrant space for students from West Java, Banten, Central Kalimantan, and East Java to find their confidence and character through the arts.

From early childhood through elementary school, young students let their imaginations run wild in diverse competitions, including calligraphy, storytelling illustration, poetry, reading and writing, and an English speech contest.

Distance was no barrier to the Optimist spirit, and the festival ensured that participants from faraway regions, such as Kotawaringin Timur and Madiun, were fully included in the excitement, with awards delivered directly to their communities.



With the support of partners like Bank Galuh, the IFOC is helping build an educational ecosystem that truly champions creativity and literacy. We send our warmest congratulations to the Indonesian First Optimist Club for this incredible achievement and for fostering a future where student creativity can thrive!