Younger children may express the spirituality of their love for animals. Older students may grapple with diverse opinions on animal welfare and rights.
This academic year marks the 20th Anniversary of NATRE’s Spirited
Arts Competition! Since 2004 Spirited Arts has attracted over
450,000 entrants. Annually, they receive an average of over 25,000
entries for judging. Hundreds of UK schools get involved and they
get entries from as far afield as Hong Kong, USA, Australia,
Thailand and Bahrain.
Following the amazing success of our 2023 theme ‘All God’s
Creature’s’, Veganism in Education (VinE) and the Animal Interfaith
Alliance (AIA) are sponsoring another animal theme – ‘Why do Animals
Matter’ The Spirited Arts Competition provides children with the
opportunity to critically think about our relationship with animals
and explore our RE Today resources.
We are excited to announce
entries for 2024 are now open!
Why do Animals Matter?
This theme invites creativity and critical thinking around the important issue of how we humans value and act towards other animals. Use of religious stories, texts and ideas is strongly encouraged! Religions and ethical belief systems promote kindness and compassion, and call upon people to actively avoid doing harm… the Golden Rule demands that we treat others how we would wish to be treated.
But do these moral codes extend to animals as well as other humans?
Can they?
Should they?
Do some animals matter more than
others? Engaging with this theme will encourage a search for wisdom
in texts, stories, traditions and practices from the world’s
religions and philosophies. Students will reflect and think with
care about humanity’s relationship with the other animals who share
the earth with us. Younger children may express the spirituality of
their love for animals. Older students may grapple with diverse
opinions on animal welfare and rights.
Our RE Today Resources support engagement with this theme.
NATRE welcomes entries in (almost!) any art form, including: