Brawijaya Fine Art Competition 2026: A National Platform for Creativity for the Young Generation of Visual Artists

KETIK, MALANG – The Study Program of Fine Arts (SPFA) at the Faculty of Cultural Studies, Universitas Brawijaya (FCS UB), is organizing the Brawijaya Fine Art Competition (BFAC) 2026, a national-level fine art competition for high school students (SMA/SMK/MA and equivalent) with registration opening on Thursday (4/15/2026) and the event and announcement taking place on Monday (5/11/2026). Now in its third year, this event serves as a space for appreciation and the development of creativity among the younger generation in the fields of fine art and the creative industries.

Under the theme "Future Canvas: From FCS UB's Fine Arts, a Creative Generation is Born," BFAC 2026 features various competition categories that blend conventional art and digital media, adapting to current developments in the creative world.

The competition, held at FCS UB's Building B, features four categories: Digital Drawing, Painting, Digital Poster, and Photography. The first two categories are held in person on the FCS UB campus, while Digital Poster and Photography are held online to reach participants from various regions across Indonesia.

"The BFAC 2026 event is part of the commitment of the SPFA FCS UB to open up opportunities for artistic exploration for the younger generation while introducing the academic environment of fine arts to prospective students. In addition to serving as a competitive platform, this event is also designed as a medium for education and the promotion of creative visual culture among students," explained Sahiruddin, Dean of the FCS UB.

In the Digital Drawing category, participants must bring their own digital drawing devices, such as a pen tablet and a laptop. At the same time, the organizing committee provides the venue and electrical facilities. The painting competition category also offers participants hands-on experience with canvases and easels provided by the committee.

Meanwhile, online competition categories such as Digital Poster and Photography allow students from various regions to participate without being physically present in Malang. Submissions are collected via Google Forms, and judging is conducted online through Google Drive and Zoom Meetings with the panel of judges.

In addition to cash prizes, the winners also received a reduction in their Institutional Development Fee (IPI) and a certificate that serves as a "golden ticket" for priority admission to the SPFA FCS UB. It demonstrates that BFAC is not merely a competition but also part of a strategy to nurture young visual arts talent with the potential to pursue further education in the arts and culture.

The organization of BFAC 2026 was supported by a range of creative publicity strategies, including poster design and social media content, as well as promotions through FCS UB's news channels and external media. Event documentation was also prepared in the form of videos and social media content to expand the publicity's reach while showcasing the participants' dynamic creativity throughout the competition.

"Through this event, FCS UB reaffirms its position as a space for the development of art and culture that is open to the creativity of the younger generation. BFAC 2026 is not merely a competition, but an effort to build an inclusive, innovative, and relevant visual arts ecosystem that keeps pace with the times," stated Sahiruddin.

"With a spirit of collaboration between art, education, and creative technology, BFAC is expected to continue serving as a platform for the emergence of young talents capable of propelling Indonesian visual arts to greater heights, both nationally and internationally," he