Mini Maestros Art Prize | Calling All Young Artists!

The Mini Maestro Art Prize Presented by The Hari London

At The Hari, we believe creativity begins young — and as such, we’re proud to launch the Mini Maestro Art Prize, a new art competition for budding young artists from local schools.

Whether it’s bold brushstrokes, colourful collages, or imaginative doodles, we want to celebrate the incredible artistic talent of our next generation.

Key Dates

Submissions Open: Monday 9 February 2026
Deadline: Friday 13 March 2026
Shortlist Announced: Friday 20 March 2026
Awards Evening: Thursday 26 March 2026

Submit your masterpiece and be crowned a Mini Maestro… See all details below!

Who Can Enter?

The Mini Maestro Art Prize is open to all children attending local schools — whether they’re just picking up a paintbrush for the first time or already creating gallery-worthy masterpieces. We’re looking for imagination, originality, and heart — not just technical skill.

Entries are welcomed in the following age categories:

Key Stage 1 (Ages 5–7): For our youngest artists
Key Stage 2 (Ages 7–11): For our budding creators
Key Stage 3 (Ages 11–14): For our emerging young talents
Key Stage 4 (Ages 14–16): For our experienced students

Each category will be judged on creativity, impact, and originality — not just technical skill — so we encourage all young artists to give it a go, no matter their level of experience.

How To Enter?

Artwork can take any form — painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture or digital — as long as it can be scanned or photographed for submission. The theme? Anything that sparks their imagination!

Entries can be submitted by parents or teachers via marketing@thehari.com. Each submission should include:

Child’s name, age, and school
Title of artwork
A scan or photo of the piece
Parent/guardian contact details and consent

What’s Up for Grabs?

We’re thrilled to be offering a truly special prize for the winner in each of our four age categories — a celebration of creativity, curiosity, and family time. Each Mini Maestro winner will receive:

A curated book bundle from Phaidon Press; hand-picked by the world’s leading publisher of art and design books.
An overnight stay for a family of four at The Hari London, followed by a delicious breakfast the next morning at il Pampero.
The opportunity to design il Pampero’s new Children’s Menu.
A moment in the spotlight – Shortlisted entries will be invited to an exclusive Awards Evening at Il Pampero on Thursday 26 March 2026, where their work will be displayed for all to admire. Guests will enjoy refreshments, a chance to mingle with fellow artists and our panel of judges, and the excitement of the winners being announced live.

Whether you win or make the shortlist, this is a chance to celebrate creativity in a truly memorable way.

Meet the Judges

Tori Cadogan, Education Editor, Tatler

Tori Cadogan is the Education Editor at Tatler, where she writes and curates the prestigious Tatler Schools Guide — an annual review of the UK’s top 250 independent schools, published with the October edition of the magazine. Her work explores key issues in education and features leading voices in the sector.

Tori also hosts the annual Tatler Schools Awards, which in 2022 received nearly 3,000 public votes, reflecting the guide’s growing influence and reach. Tori also created and presented the podcast series Tatler Talks: Education, focusing on wellbeing and mental health in schools. She is a frequent guest on podcasts, including Vanity Fair’s Dynasties and The Art of Education.

The link to my writer profile is here: https://www.tatler.com/profile/tori-cadogan

Victoria Evans, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, City Kids Magazine

Victoria Evans is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of City Kids Magazine — a refreshing and trusted guide for modern families. Celebrated for its smart, stylish, and practical content, the magazine curates the best of what’s on in London for cool kids and busy parents, covering everything from education and events to fashion, interiors, travel, and expert features.

Published in print across London and accessible worldwide online, City Kids has become a go-to resource for families seeking inspiration and insight.

For editorial enquiries, please contact: editor@citykidsmagazine.co.uk
Website: www.citykidsmagazine.co.uk

Francesco Sardelli, General Manager at The Hari

Francesco Sardelli is the General Manager of The Hari London, a luxury hotel celebrated for its elegant, layered design and distinctly personal service. With over two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, Francesco brings a unique blend of international perspective, operational excellence, and a deep passion for guest experience.

Since joining The Hari, he has been instrumental in shaping its vibrant and cultured atmosphere — a place where art, style and community meet. Under his leadership, The Hari has strengthened its reputation as a local hub for creativity and conversation, hosting exhibitions, partnerships, and initiatives that connect the hotel with its Chelsea neighbourhood and beyond.

Maya Gartner, Associate Publisher, Children’s Books at Phaidon

Maya Gartner is currently the Associate Publisher of Children’s Books at Phaidon Press. Maya has extensive experience in the publishing industry, having previously worked as an Editor at Walker Books and Penguin Random House Children’s Publishers. Maya has also worked as a Coordinator/Translator for various companies, including Japan Consortium, World Wide Publishing, and NHK Enterprises.

With a background in Oriental Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in History of Art and Japanese, Maya brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their role in children’s book publishing.