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Calling All Greater Toronto Area High School Students!

Your Toronto Zoo is excited to invite students in grades 9-12, enrolled in Ontario secondary schools, to participate in the 2026 Rain Barrel Art Project. This is your chance to showcase your creativity and support important environmental initiatives.

How It Works

To participate, interested artists must submit a design for judging. Our panel will select 30 winning designs to be brought to life on rain barrels provided by your Toronto Zoo. Once completed, these barrels will be displayed at the Zoo and later auctioned off by the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy, the official fundraising partner of your Toronto Zoo.
Proceeds from the auction will support climate change action and vital conservation efforts at your Toronto Zoo.

Plus!  Participating artists have the chance to win some incredible prizes:

  1. An art tablet + a $1,000 cheque to the art department of the winning student’s school + a Wild Encounter experience for four people
  2. A half-day job shadow with Exhibit Design + a one-of-a-kind piece of animal artwork
  3. A one-hour painting session with Bethany Aiken + an eco-friendly retail bag + a Platinum Individual Membership to your Toronto Zoo
  4. (Staff Favourite submission) - a Wild Encounter experience for four people

Prizes are subject to availability and may be substituted if necessary.

How to Submit Your Artwork

The entry period for the 2026 competition opens this fall!
Here’s how you can get involved:

Note: This project is best suited for students in the Greater Toronto Area or those able to travel to the Zoo for barrel pick-up and drop-off. Chosen artists will be responsible for transporting the rain barrels to and from your Toronto Zoo.

1. Prepare Your Design  By Following These Instructions:

  • Please stick to the template as closely as possible. "Rough sketches" as pictured below will not be accepted.
  • Please use the colors you plan to use on the rain barrel.
  • All entries must reach us on or before December 6, 2025.

2.Draw Your Design on the:

RainBarrel Artwork Submission Form PDF

3. Submit Your Design Here - Upload a Photo of Your Final Form:

Each student may submit only 1 design.
Teachers may submit up to 10 student designs.

or send by mail to: Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Ave., Toronto, ON M1B 5K7, Attention: GEZT.
If you’re sending us a photo, please hold onto the original copy of your design!

If Selected

  • If your design is chosen, you’ll be invited to an artist workshop at the Zoo, where you'll pick up your rain barrel.
  • You'll then have from January to early March to paint your barrel using your own supplies*.
  • Return your completed rain barrel to your Toronto Zoo and see it displayed throughout the month of April.

* The artist is responsible for supplying their own mediums to paint & seal their barrel. We will suggest which paints to use.

Auction and Event Details

  • All finished barrels will be displayed at your Toronto Zoo for public viewing from March 13 to April 23, 2026.
  • Beginning April 9, 2026, the barrels will be auctioned online, with bidding open until April 23, 2026.
  • The funds raised from the auction will support climate change and sustainability initiatives at your Zoo.
  • Artists and their families will be invited to a special reception at the Zoo on April 24, 2026, to celebrate the project and its impact.

Project Timeline

  • Entry Period: September 1, 2025 – December 6, 2025
  • Selection Period: December 8, 2025 – December 11, 2025
  • Artist Selection Announcement: December 12, 2025
  • Artist Workshop and Barrel Pick Up: January 4, 2026, 10:00am – Noon @ your Toronto Zoo
  • Painting Period: January 4, 2026 – March 7, 2026
  • Rain Barrel Drop-Off: March 7 & 8, 2026, 11:00am – 4:00pm @ your Toronto Zoo administration building
  • Display Period: March 13, 2026 – April 23, 2026
  • Online Auction: April 9, 2026 – April 23, 2026
  • Artist Reception: April 24, 2026, 5:00pm @ your Toronto Zoo


2024 Inaugural Season Barrels

Good Luck!
Thank you for joining us in celebrating art, empowering youth, and championing sustainability at your Toronto Zoo.


Your Toronto Zoo strives to provide experience and events that are accessible to all guests. Accommodation requests by guests for experiences and events are always welcome and every effort will be made to provide optimal support for the needs of guests with disabilities.

*Please note all events subject to change without notice.