Participate in the 2026 LDSPMA Theme Contests by submitting original creative work inspired by this year’s theme.
Open to creators of all ages and experience levels.
About the Contests
The LDSPMA Theme Contests are designed to highlight and recognize creative work across publishing, media, and the arts.
Whether you are a writer, musician, filmmaker, or artist, this is an opportunity to share your work with a wider community and be recognized at the annual conference.
Winners will be announced at the 2026 LDSPMA Annual Conference.
2026 Theme: Instruments in God’s Hands
This year’s theme invites you to explore what it means to be an instrument in God’s hands.
Your submission can reflect a moment, an experience, a question, or an idea. There is no single interpretation—just thoughtful, original work that connects to the theme in a meaningful way.
Creative Categories
Submissions are accepted in the following categories:
- Short-Form Poetry
Up to 40 lines - Songwriting
Original song (approximately 3 minutes max) - Short Film (Micro-Film)
Max 60 seconds - Hand-Designed Art
Original physical artwork (scanned or photographed) - Digital Art
Original digital artwork
Submission Guidelines
- No entry fee
- One entry per person, per category
- All submissions must be original work
- Songwriting entries must include original lyrics and original music
- Submissions must be appropriate for a family-friendly, faith-centered audience
Key Dates
- Submissions open: May 1
- Submissions close: September 1
- Finalists announced: October 1 (via email and social media)
- Winners announced at the 2026 LDSPMA Annual Conference
Full announcement details will be shared at a later date.
Awards
Each category includes three awards:
- NextGen Winner (Youth up to age 19) — $100
- Adult / General Winner — $100
- All-Around Winner — $150
Opportunities & Exposure
Participants may have the opportunity to:
- Be recognized at the LDSPMA Annual Conference
- Have their work featured on LDSPMA platforms
- Be included in conference programming or showcases
Selected categories may also include additional opportunities such as:
- Live performances or readings
- Film screenings during the conference
- Artwork displayed in a gallery-style exhibit
- Professional development or production experiences
Judging & Selection
All submissions will be reviewed by a small team of judges.
Judges may include:
- Industry professionals
- Experienced creators in each category
- Conference leadership
Judging Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated based on:
- Alignment with the theme
- Creativity and originality
- Quality and execution within the medium
- Emotional impact or message
- Overall strength of the work
AI Policy
Submissions must be human-created.
AI-generated content is not permitted in any category. Basic tools for editing or production are acceptable, but the creative work itself must be original and created by the participant.
Rights & Ownership
Creators retain full ownership of their work.
By submitting, participants grant LDSPMA permission to:
- Feature and promote selected work
- Showcase submissions during the conference
- Share content across LDSPMA platforms
Selected works may also be used in LDSPMA-related products or merchandise (such as prints, publications, or other materials). In these cases, royalties or proceeds will support LDSPMA’s mission and programs.
Any additional use beyond standard promotion and conference-related purposes will be clearly outlined.
Get Ready to Submit
Submissions will open on May 1.
You can begin preparing your work now. Final submission details and the entry form will be available here when submissions open.
Questions
For questions, contact: amilee.selfridge@ldspma.org