In a world increasingly dominated by digital screens and rapid-fire communication, there is a fundamental human skill – a universal language – that quietly continues to connect us, foster our well-being, and drive innovation: drawing.
This October, The Big Draw, the world’s largest drawing festival, will mark its extraordinary 25th Anniversary with a powerful, fitting theme: ‘Drawn Together’. More than just a celebration of line and colour, this monumental event is a global call to action, reminding us that a simple mark on a page is a potent tool for thought, social engagement, and profound connection.
For a quarter of a century, The Big Draw has championed visual literacy, working to ensure that creativity remains a vital, accessible skill for everyone, regardless of age or ability. Whether you are an artist, a teacher, a scientist, or someone who insists, “I can’t draw a straight line,” this charity’s mission is for you. This post is your essential guide to the organization’s rich history, its vital present, its exciting future, and a deep dive into the collaborative spirit of the 2025 festival that is poised to unite millions across the globe.
The Historical Canvas: From ‘Campaign’ to Cultural Movement
The story of The Big Draw begins in the year 2000 under the initial name, The Campaign for Drawing. It was founded by the esteemed Guild of St George, an organisation established by the Victorian artist, writer, and radical social thinker, John Ruskin (1819-1900). The charity’s entire philosophy is steeped in Ruskin’s radical yet simple belief about art and observation.
John Ruskin: The Visionary
Ruskin’s mission was not about technical skill, but about teaching people “how to see.” He believed that drawing was the fundamental tool for visual thought, a way to truly observe the world, whether it was the complexity of a geological specimen, the architecture of Venice, or the simple curl of a leaf. The founders of the Campaign for Drawing adopted this vision, recognizing that drawing is not merely an artistic pursuit, but an essential life skill – a tool for learning, expression, and invention vital in all walks of life.
An Unforgettable Goal
From its inception, the Campaign had an ambitious, almost utopian goal: “The Campaign’s work will finish when the words ‘I can’t draw’ are dropped from our vocabulary.”
The first Big Draw festival took place in London in 2001, a single day of drawing that quickly proved the public’s appetite for accessible creativity. It grew exponentially, quickly becoming a global, community-led movement with events taking place in over 20 countries. The adoption of the simpler name, The Big Draw, captured the celebratory and inclusive spirit of the worldwide festival, establishing the charity as the pioneering force for visual literacy that it is today.
The Year-Round Mission: More Than Just a Festival
While The Big Draw Festival in October is the charity’s most visible programme, the organization’s work is a vital, year-round commitment to advocacy, empowerment, and engagement. Today, the charity is a multi-faceted platform dedicated to proving the intrinsic value of creativity in the 21st century.
Championing Visual Literacy and STEAM
In an era where many educational policies de-value creative subjects in favour of purely academic or technical skills, The Big Draw stands firm in its belief of “drawing to learn, not learning to draw.”
The charity actively manages collaborative research projects, campaigns, and educational conferences on visual literacy, digital technology, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Art, Maths, Science). By integrating Art into the STEM subjects, they advocate for drawing’s role in problem-solving, design thinking, and scientific observation. Drawing is positioned not as an elective, but as a core skill for innovation.
The John Ruskin Prize
Beyond community events, The Big Draw supports professional and emerging artists through the John Ruskin Prize. Founded in 2012 by the Guild of St George and administered by The Big Draw, this is recognized as the fastest-growing multi-disciplinary art prize in the UK.
- ➯ Multidisciplinary Focus: The prize welcomes all mediums – drawing, painting, print, digital, sculpture, performance, and more – intentionally supporting work that “defies easy categorisation,” reflecting Ruskin’s own polymathic nature.
- ➯ Thematic Deep Dive: Each biennial prize focuses on a theme derived from Ruskin’s complex thinking. For instance, the recent 2025 prize theme was ‘From the Eye to the Hand,’ challenging artists to explore the journey from observation to creation and how visual perception translates into artistic expression. The 2026 theme, ‘Patience in Looking, Truth in Making,’ continues this line of thought, proving the prize is not just about aesthetics, but about art with purpose.
This combination of grassroots festival and prestigious national prize ensures The Big Draw operates simultaneously at the community level and at the cutting edge of contemporary art.
Spotlight: The Big Draw Festival 2025 – ‘Drawn Together’
The core of The Big Draw’s present and future is the annual festival, and the 2025 theme is particularly significant. Running throughout the month of October, the 25th Anniversary theme, ‘Drawn Together,’ is a powerful acknowledgment of the charity’s success in building a global community.
The Meaning of ‘Drawn Together’
The theme celebrates:
- ➯ Collaboration and Connection: After 25 years, the power of drawing to bridge divides, whether generational, cultural, or social. Drawing is recognized as a universal language that transcends linguistic barriers and creates shared, memorable experiences.
- ➯ Anniversary Milestone: The theme honours the history of bringing over two million people together to engage in thousands of creative activities worldwide, from major galleries like The British Museum to local schools and village halls.
Find Your Event and Get Involved
The Festival is made up of thousands of drawing activities that connect people of all ages with schools, galleries, museums, libraries, heritage sites, and community spaces. To find a drawing event happening near you or to register an event of your own, be sure to explore the official listings.
Explore the Festival: Find the full list of workshops, exhibitions, and creative activities happening across the globe this October on the official Big Draw Events Chart.
A Focus on Accessibility and Digital Innovation
In a fitting tribute to their mission of making creativity for all, The Big Draw has made participation exceptionally accessible for the 2025 celebration:
| Initiative | Impact |
| Waived School Fee | The subscription fee for non-fee-paying schools has been waived for the 25th anniversary year to encourage the largest possible participation from young learners. |
| Individual Organiser Fee Waived | The fee for individual artists, illustrators, and creatives hosting independent events has been waived for the fifth year, removing a barrier for community-level organisers. |
Furthermore, the 2025 festival embraces the charity’s commitment to technology. A notable example is the VR film commission project, ‘Leaf Number Three,’ which is being produced in association with the wider Digital Spaces project. This initiative will see a Virtual Reality film created from drawings submitted by communities, exploring the ideas of togetherness and difference through the motif of leaves on a tree. This shows a forward-thinking move, ensuring drawing is not limited to traditional mediums but also flourishes in cutting-edge digital spaces.
The ‘Drawn Together’ campaign encourages participants to explore the theme in endless ways: collaborative murals, drawing portraits of community heroes, or simply creating shared sketchbooks – all actions designed to make a mark with others.
The Future Vision: A Visual World
The long-term strategy for The Big Draw is anchored in two main pillars: expanding access and cementing the relevance of visual literacy in a changing world.
Expanding Advocacy
The charity’s vision is to continue to fight against the marginalization of creative subjects. They aim to secure a permanent place for drawing as a tool for personal development, mental well-being, and professional application across sectors. This includes:
- ➯ Wellbeing: Promoting drawing in healthcare settings and for mental health support, acknowledging its power to enhance self-esteem and happiness.
- ➯ Professional Application: Continuing to push the STEAM agenda, ensuring future designers, architects, engineers, and scientists understand drawing as a critical, fundamental tool for observation and innovation.
- ➯ Digital Integration: Actively managing projects that integrate digital technology (like VR and cutting-edge creative apps) with traditional drawing, proving that a pencil can be a stylus and a sketchbook can be a screen.
The Big Draw’s ultimate measure of success remains the same: reducing the number of people who feel excluded from the creative act. Their future is about solidifying drawing’s status as the most basic and universal form of human expression and communication.
Make Your Mark
The Big Draw charity has evolved from a national campaign into a powerful global movement. Its history is rooted in the insightful philosophy of John Ruskin, its present is defined by impactful programmes like the John Ruskin Prize and its global festival, and its future is dedicated to ensuring visual literacy thrives in the digital age.
The Big Draw Festival 2025: ‘Drawn Together’ is more than an event; it’s a monumental 25th-anniversary celebration of community and creativity. As you pick up your pen this October, you are not just making a drawing; you are making a connection, joining a worldwide movement, and helping to prove that #drawingchangeslives.
Ready to Start? A Quick Tip for Beginners: If you’re someone who feels overwhelmed by a blank page, tools can help! Check out GridSketcher, an application designed to help with observation and proportion by overlaying a grid on reference images. It’s a fantastic, low-pressure way to build confidence and accuracy, allowing you to focus on the joy of mark-making and jump right into the ‘Drawn Together’ theme.
