• by Tanya Gazdik , October 25, 2021

Toyota is bringing back its free contest that aims to get kids thinking about what they’d like the cars of the future to look like. 

Submissions for the Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest are being solicited in three categories covering kids ages 4-15. The contest runs Nov. 1 through Jan. 31.

Kids create an original drawing by hand using digital tools, crayons, color pencils, ink pens, markers or paint (acrylic or watercolor). With the assistance of an adult, they complete an entry form, which is submitted with the drawing (the original, if sent by mail; an image, if using the online form). 

Details -- with official rules, artwork guidelines and entry forms -- are at www.ToyotaDreamCarUSA.com.

The first Toyota Dream Car Art Contest was held in Japan during 2004, and it has expanded to include nearly 90 countries today who host their own national contests.

The United States launched its first national contest in 2012. All countries submit their top nine winners to Japan as entries to the world contest. The world contest was on hold last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judged on uniqueness, artistry and execution of concept, artworks are reviewed by age group: Category 1 (4-7 years), Category 2 (8-11 years) and Category 3 (12-15 years).

The top three winners in each age group receive awards (gold, silver and bronze) with cash prizes.

The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles will also give out its Petersen Prestige Award to one of the nine contest winners, which includes a display of the winning artwork at the museum.

Last year’s recipient's artwork will be displayed in The Petersen’s Rob and Melani Walton Discovery Center, Oct. 30 through March 27. Prints of artworks by 11 past youth winners will also be displayed, with 3D replicas.