What Is the Art of Our Youth Competition?
The Art of Our Youth Competition is Pulchrum’s annual high-school showcase designed to uncover, elevate, and honor the creative voice of young Christian artists across Los Angeles.
We believe every young artist carries a piece of God’s imagination.
Beauty is not decoration, it is revelation.
And when students create, they participate in the very first act of Scripture:
God made. And it was beautiful.
Here at Pulchrum, we recognize that creativity appears in countless forms;
in film and poetry, in dance and sculpture, in melody and movement,
in the way a room is arranged, a moment is captured,
or a story is told.
The Art of our Youth Competition exists to help students name these gifts, refine them, share them, and bring them into the world as offerings of beauty, courage, faith, and truth.
We believe every young artist carries a piece of God’s imagination.
Beauty is not decoration, it is revelation.
And when students create, they participate in the very first act of Scripture:
God made. And it was beautiful.
Here at Pulchrum, we recognize that creativity appears in countless forms;
in film and poetry, in dance and sculpture, in melody and movement,
in the way a room is arranged, a moment is captured,
or a story is told.
The Art of our Youth Competition exists to help students name these gifts, refine them, share them, and bring them into the world as offerings of beauty, courage, faith, and truth.
How to apply?
Step 1 — Choose Your Medium
Students may submit in one of the following categories:
- Digital Arts
- Fine Arts
- Performing Arts
- Music
- Writing
- Non-traditional art (pieces that do not fit cleanly into any traditional category dentistry, spreedsheets, carpentry etc.)
Step 2 — Prepare Your Submission
You will need:
- Media Release Form [Download here]
- Parent/Guardian Consent Form
[Download here] - Your Final Piece
Upload instructions vary by discipline.
Scroll to the “Medium Requirements” section below to find exact formatting guidelines.
Step 3 — Upload Your Materials
Submit your forms and your artwork at:
👉 www.pulchrum.org/AOY/apply
👉 www.pulchrum.org/AOY/apply
Step 4 — Wait to Hear Back
Applications are reviewed in multiple rounds.
Winners will be contacted before the public announcement.
Winners will be contacted before the public announcement.
Competiton Timeline
January 1 — Competition Opens → March 1 at 11:59 PM PST — Final Submission Deadline → March 7 — Winners Announced → March 14 — Winners Recognized Live at Pulchrum 2026
Eligibility
To apply, students must be able to answer YES to all the following:
- I am a high school student in the Southern CA area.
- I am between 13–18 years old as of the submission date.
- I can attend Pulchrum 2026 on March 14th.
- I have submitted both required consent forms.
- I am not the child of a Pulchrum staff member.
- I am a Christian and agree with Pulchrum’s statement of faith.
Why Apply?
Network
Winners join a growing community of young artists committed to excellence, beauty, faith, and calling.
Recognition
Winners present their work live at the Pulchrum Conference in front of hundreds of artists in their field.
Free Admission
Winners receive a free ticket, plus two additional complimentary tickets for friends or family.
Pulchrum Nomination
Each winner receives the official Art of Our Youth Nomination, a recognition of skill, dedication, and pursuit of Christian beauty.
Scholarship
Winners are stand a chance to win a $500 scholarship to pursue any art-related 4 year degree at any local Christian University.
Winners join a growing community of young artists committed to excellence, beauty, faith, and calling.
Recognition
Winners present their work live at the Pulchrum Conference in front of hundreds of artists in their field.
Free Admission
Winners receive a free ticket, plus two additional complimentary tickets for friends or family.
Pulchrum Nomination
Each winner receives the official Art of Our Youth Nomination, a recognition of skill, dedication, and pursuit of Christian beauty.
Scholarship
Winners are stand a chance to win a $500 scholarship to pursue any art-related 4 year degree at any local Christian University.
Medium Requirements
Digital Arts
Film, animation, photography, graphic design, digital illustration, and multimedia.
Fine Arts
Painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, ceramics, textiles.
Performing Arts
Dance, monologue, theatre scenes, choreographed performance.
Music
Instrumental, vocal, composition, original scores.
Writing
Poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, essays.
Non-Traditional Art
Pieces of creative excellence that defy categorization; an installation, a crafted object, an arrangement, or a work of pure imaginative beauty (incl. dentistry, spreedsheets, carpentry etc.)