Cash up for grabs for primary schools

Primary school students across NZ will win their schools a total of $25,000 in the inaugural Kmart art of giving competition.

Students are invited to draw, paint a picture or make a collage that represents to them the spirit of giving.

Inspired by the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal the competition is a fun and creative way to get children thinking about what it means to give.

The national winning artwork in the art of giving competition will become widely recognised across NZ, as the picture will be used to help promote the 2009 Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal.

Two schools from the North Island (with upper and lower age category winners) and two schools from the South Island (with upper and lower age category winners) will each receive $2,500 cash.

One of these schools will also become the NZ winner and receive an additional $10,000 cash.

Parents, students and teachers will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite artwork on-line, adding another $2,500 in prize money for the two schools winning the People’s Choice Awards.

Schools aren’t the only winners in the competition. The winning NZ student with the best artwork overall will receive an iPod touch, while the upper age category winners from the North and South Islands and the People’s Choice Award will receive an iPod nano. The lower age category winners from the North and South Islands and People’s Choice Award will win a Nintendo DS Lite.

Every student who participates in the competition will receive a Kmart art of giving certificate.

Entries are open in two age categories (5-9 year olds and 10-12 year olds) and must be prepared by individuals currently attending a NZ primary school. Artworks can be prepared on any medium (such as paper, card or canvas) and should be in either A4, A3 or A2 size.

“The art of giving competition is a great opportunity for Kmart to give back to the community and show our support for local schools and their students,” Kmart NZ manager, Sue Smith said.

The competition is now open and runs until Monday 31st August, 2009. For more information, go to www.kmart.co.nz/wishingtree