Participate in the 2026 LDSPMA Theme Contests
Create and submit original work inspired by this year’s theme, Instruments in God’s Hands.
Open to creators of all ages and experience levels, this is an opportunity to explore the theme in a personal and meaningful way through your creativity.
This is not a traditional talent competition or industry award.
Instead, the Theme Contests are designed to invite new, original work created specifically in response to this year’s theme.
If you have previously published or professional work, we encourage you to submit those pieces to the Praiseworthy Awards, which recognize excellence in completed works.
About the Theme Contests
The LDSPMA Theme Contests are designed to highlight and celebrate creative work across publishing, media, and the arts—all centered around a shared theme.
Whether you are a writer, musician, filmmaker, or artist, this is an opportunity to create something new, explore a meaningful idea, and share your work with a broader community.
Selected participants will be recognized 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 might reflect:
- A moment
- An experience
- A question
- An idea
There is no single interpretation—just thoughtful, original work that connects to the theme in a meaningful way.
However you choose to interpret it, this is an invitation to create something new.
Creative Categories
Submissions are accepted in the following categories.
Select a category below to view specific guidelines.
Short-Form Poetry
- Up to 40 lines
- Any form of poetry is welcome (free verse, rhyming, spoken word, etc.)
- Must be original and written specifically for this contest
- No previously published work
AI Clarification for This Category
Submissions in this category must follow the contest-wide AI Policy. Core creative elements must be human-created. Any use of AI to generate, compose, or create the final submission (in whole or in part) is not allowed.
- AI may not be used to write, rewrite, or generate any portion of the text.
- All language, structure, and expression must be your own.
Songwriting
- Original song (up to 3 minutes)
- Must include original lyrics and original melody
- Simple recordings are acceptable (voice memo, acoustic, piano, etc.)
- No previously published or distributed songs
Submissions are evaluated primarily on songwriting—not production quality.
AI Clarification for This Category
Submissions in this category must follow the contest-wide AI Policy. Core creative elements must be human-created. Any use of AI to generate, compose, or create the final submission (in whole or in part) is not allowed.
- Lyrics and melody must be fully human-created.
- AI-generated music, vocals, or compositions may not be used as part of the submission.
Micro-Film
- Up to 60 seconds
- Must be original and created specifically for this contest
- No previously released or published videos
- Any style is welcome (live-action, animation, documentary, etc.)
AI Clarification for This Category
Submissions in this category must follow the contest-wide AI Policy. Core creative elements must be human-created. Any use of AI to generate, compose, or create the final submission (in whole or in part) is not allowed.
- AI-generated footage, characters, or voice narration is not permitted.
- All primary visual and audio content must be human-created.
Hand-Designed Art
- Original artwork created by hand using physical materials
- May include drawing, painting, sketching, mixed media, or similar traditional methods
- Submit as a photo or scanned image
- Must be created specifically for this contest
- No previously displayed, sold, or published work
AI Clarification for This Category
Submissions in this category must follow the contest-wide AI Policy. Core creative elements must be human-created. Any use of AI to generate, compose, or create the final submission (in whole or in part) is not allowed.
- Artwork must be created by hand (traditional or digital drawing by the artist).
- AI-generated images are not permitted under any circumstances.
- Editing, tracing, referencing, or modifying AI-generated images is not allowed.
- Reference photos are allowed, but must not be AI-generated.
Digital Art
- Original artwork created using digital tools or software
- May include illustration, graphic design, digital painting, or similar methods
- Must be created specifically for this contest
- No previously published, displayed, or distributed work
AI Clarification for This Category
Submissions in this category must follow the contest-wide AI Policy. Core creative elements must be human-created. Any use of AI to generate, compose, or create the final submission (in whole or in part) is not allowed.
- Digital tools such as Blender, Photoshop, Procreate, or Illustrator are allowed.
- AI image generation tools are not permitted.
- “Computer-generated” refers to artist-created digital work, not prompt-based generation.
Key Submission Guidelines
These guidelines apply to all submissions:
Original Work & AI Policy
What “Original” Means
All submissions must be:
- Created by you
- Created specifically for this contest
- Not previously published, shared, or distributed
If a work has already been made public in any form—including social media, performances, or other competitions—it is not eligible for this contest.
AI Policy
We recognize that AI tools are becoming part of many creative workflows. For the purposes of this contest:
- AI may be used as a support tool only (e.g., brainstorming, outlining, grammar checking, or minor editing).
- AI may not be used to generate any portion of the final submitted work or its core creative elements.
This includes (but is not limited to):
- AI-generated content used as a base, foundation, or starting point
- Editing, refining, or “painting over” AI-generated material
- Combining multiple AI-generated outputs into a final submission
All submissions must be primarily and demonstrably human-created.
Participants may be asked to provide a brief description of their creative process or supporting materials to confirm eligibility.
This policy is not intended as a broader statement on AI in creative work, but is specific to ensuring fairness and consistency within this contest. Final eligibility determinations are at the discretion of the LDSPMA committee.
Key Dates & Awards
Important dates to keep in mind as you prepare your submission:
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
Awards
Each category includes three awards:
- NextGen Winner (Youth up to age 19) — $100
- Adult / General Winner — $100
- All-Around Winner — $150
Winners will be recognized at the annual conference.
Opportunities & Exposure
Recognition and experience are a core part of this contest—prize money is just one piece of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions below:
Can I submit more than one entry?
You may submit one entry per category. You are welcome to enter multiple categories.
Can I submit a collaborative entry?
Yes. Collaborative entries are allowed as long as all contributors are listed on the submission form and the work meets all contest guidelines.
For example, in songwriting, one person may write the lyrics while another composes the melody. In micro-film, collaboration may include roles such as filming, editing, or acting. All creative elements must still be original and created specifically for this contest.
Only one person should submit the entry on behalf of the group.
If selected, the award is given per entry, not per individual. Any prize money is to be shared among contributors at their discretion.
What does “original work” mean?
Your submission must be created by you specifically for this contest and not previously published, shared, or distributed in any form.
Can I use AI in my submission?
AI may be used as a support tool (such as brainstorming or minor editing), but the final creative work must be entirely human-created. AI-generated content is not permitted, including using AI-generated material as a base, foundation, or part of the final submission.
Can I submit something I’ve already created?
No. Submissions must be created specifically for this contest and not previously shared or published.
Do I retain rights to my work?
Yes. You retain full ownership. By submitting, you grant LDSPMA permission to feature and share your work for promotional and conference-related purposes.
Will my work be used outside the conference?
Some selected works may be considered for additional uses such as publications or merchandise, with permission requested in advance
Will contest submissions be included in the anthology?
Some selected visual art submissions may be considered for inclusion in the LDSPMA anthology.
If your work is selected, we will contact you to request permission and provide full details before any use or publication.
How are submissions judged?
Submissions are evaluated by a panel of judges based on alignment with the theme, creativity, quality, emotional impact, and overall strength of the work.
There is no public voting.
Judges may include industry professionals, experienced creators, and conference leadership.
How are awards determined?
Each category includes three awards: NextGen, Adult/General, and All-Around.
The All-Around Winner is the submission with the highest overall score in the category, regardless of age group.
A single submission may only receive one award. If a NextGen submission earns the highest overall score and is selected as the All-Around Winner, the NextGen award will go to the next highest-scoring eligible NextGen submission.
When will I hear back?
Finalists will be announced on October 1 via email and social media.
Winners will be announced at the 2026 LDSPMA Conference.
Ready to Submit?
Complete the form below to submit your entry.
Still have a question?
Email: amilee.selfridge@ldspma.org