Shell Nsac Returns for Its 59Th Year, Inviting Young Artists to Pause, Observe, and Create Through “Sulyap”

Manila, Philippines. June 2026 — The Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC), the country’s longest-running student art competition, returns for its 59th year with the theme “SULYAP.”

For  58 years, Shell NSAC has stood as a cornerstone of artistic development in the Philippines, empowering young Filipino artists to tell their stories through creative expression. More than a competition, it serves as a launchpad for emerging talent, bringing together communities, institutions, and industry to nurture the next generation of creatives shaping the country’s cultural landscape.

This year’s theme, SULYAP, encourages young artists to move beyond fleeting moments and take a closer, more meaningful look at the realities, emotions, and experiences that shape their understanding of the present. 

Through the competition, participants tell stories that reflect both individual journeys and shared Filipino experiences, using creativity to express purpose and identity. Beyond artistic recognition, it continues to empower students to share their voice with a wider audience and create works rooted in authenticity and reflection.

The competition is open to all currently enrolled college students in the Philippines. Participants must be taking at least nine academic units in the academic year (AY) 2025–2026 or be graduates from AY 2025–2026 who were enrolled at the time of creating their artwork. Students may submit entries in any of the five categories: Oil/Acrylic Painting, Watercolor, Sculpture, Digital Fine Arts, and Photography. Each participant may enter a maximum of two works per category, with each submission registered individually.

All entries must be submitted via the official Shell NSAC platform from June 5 – October 5, 2026. The final judging period is scheduled for November 12-13, 2026, and winners will be announced on December 2, 2026, during the culminating awards and exhibit event. 

Interested participants are encouraged to read the full competition mechanics and register via the official website at www.shell.com.ph/nsac. For further inquiries, they may contact the NSAC Secretariat at [email protected].

For updates on the 58th Shell National Students Art Competition, including exhibit schedules, finalist announcements, and key events, follow Shell Pilipinas Corporation’s official website and social media channels (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn).