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
Digital Arts
Works primarily created, edited, or rendered using digital tools or software.
This category includes art where the final form is digital, regardless of whether analog elements were involved in the process.
Examples include (but are not limited to):
Artists whose work is experienced primarily through a screen.
This category includes art where the final form is digital, regardless of whether analog elements were involved in the process.
Examples include (but are not limited to):
- Digital illustration & painting
- Graphic design & visual communication
- Photography (digital capture and/or digital manipulation)
- Film & video
- Animation & motion graphics
- Multimedia or screen-based art
Artists whose work is experienced primarily through a screen.
Performing Arts
Works where the primary artistic expression is embodied performance.
This category focuses on live or staged expression, whether solo or collaborative.
Examples include:
Artists whose work is meant to be performed and experienced in time and space.
This category focuses on live or staged expression, whether solo or collaborative.
Examples include:
- Dance (choreographed or improvised)
- Theatre scenes or monologues
- Spoken performance
- Devised or interdisciplinary performance pieces
Artists whose work is meant to be performed and experienced in time and space.
Music
Works where sound and composition are the primary artistic medium.
This category includes both performed and composed works.
Examples include:
Musicians, composers, and sound artists presenting original or interpretive work.
This category includes both performed and composed works.
Examples include:
- Instrumental performance
- Vocal performance
- Original compositions
- Scores or sound-based works
Musicians, composers, and sound artists presenting original or interpretive work.
Fine Arts (Visual / Physical Art)
Works created as physical objects or surfaces, intended to be viewed in person.
This category prioritizes craftsmanship, materiality, and form.
Examples include:
Artists working with tangible materials whose work exists physically and is documented for submission.
This category prioritizes craftsmanship, materiality, and form.
Examples include:
- Drawing & painting
- Sculpture (any scale or material)
Ceramics & glass - Mixed media physical works
Textiles & fiber art - Print-based or hand-crafted visual art
Artists working with tangible materials whose work exists physically and is documented for submission.
Writing
Works where language is the primary artistic medium.
This category includes creative, reflective, and imaginative writing.
Examples include:
Writers whose work is intended to be read rather than performed or visualized.
This category includes creative, reflective, and imaginative writing.
Examples include:
- Poetry
- Short fiction
- Creative nonfiction
- Essays or literary reflection
Writers whose work is intended to be read rather than performed or visualized.
Non-Traditional / Experimental Art
Works of creative excellence that do not fit cleanly into other categories.
This category exists to honor imagination, innovation, and beauty beyond standard forms.
Examples include:
Who this is for:
Artists whose work resists classification but demonstrates clear intentionality, creativity, and excellence.
This category exists to honor imagination, innovation, and beauty beyond standard forms.
Examples include:
- Conceptual or installation-based work
- Crafted objects or functional art
- Interdisciplinary or process-based work
- Unexpected mediums (e.g., carpentry, dentistry, spreadsheets, systems, structures)
Who this is for:
Artists whose work resists classification but demonstrates clear intentionality, creativity, and excellence.
Step 2 — Prepare Your Submission
Things you will need:
1. Media Release Form [Download here]
2. Parent/Guardian Consent Form [Download here]
3. Your Final Piece
Upload instructions vary by discipline.
Scroll to the “Medium Specific Requirements” section below to find exact formatting guidelines.
Make sure also to read general rules to make sure your piece is not disqualified due to an incorrect submission.
1. Media Release Form [Download here]
2. Parent/Guardian Consent Form [Download here]
3. Your Final Piece
Upload instructions vary by discipline.
Scroll to the “Medium Specific Requirements” section below to find exact formatting guidelines.
Make sure also to read general rules to make sure your piece is not disqualified due to an incorrect submission.
Step 3 — Upload Your Materials
Submit your forms and your artwork at the link below. You will also be asked to write a reflection on your piece broken up into different questions. These questions are to help us understand your process, your inspiration, and your piece.
Step 4 — Wait to Hear Back
Applications are reviewed in multiple rounds.
Winners will be contacted before the public announcement.
You can see the timeline below!
Feel free to email us if you have any questions: info@pulchrum.org
Winners will be contacted before the public announcement.
You can see the timeline below!
Feel free to email us if you have any questions: info@pulchrum.org
Competition 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
Competition Opens
Competition
Closes
Winners Announced
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.
General Rules:
All submissions to Pulchrum must follow the guidelines below. These standards exist to ensure fairness, clarity, safety, and timely review for both artists and judges.
Failure to follow submission requirements may result in disqualification or partial review. Pulchrum reserves the right to recategorize submissions when necessary.
Failure to follow submission requirements may result in disqualification or partial review. Pulchrum reserves the right to recategorize submissions when necessary.
1. Online-Only Submissions
2. Accepted Hosting Platforms
All submissions must be completed online.
- Physical artwork must be documented digitally (photos, video, or audio).
- All submissions are collected through Zeffy on our apply page.
- Each submission must include one external link to your work.
- Each submission may include only one artwork.
- Artists may submit unlimited entries, but each artwork requires a separate submission and fee.
Submissions must be accessible via view-only links. Pulchrum will not download files.
Recommended Platforms
Recommended Platforms
- Google Drive (view-only)
- Dropbox (view-only)
- YouTube (unlisted)
- Vimeo (unlisted)
- SoundCloud (private link)
- They are free for Pulchrum to access
- They do not require downloads
- They are clearly viewable/listenable in a browser
3. Folder & Link Structure
4. File Types & Size Limits
Each submission link must point to one folder containing all files related to that single artwork.
Folder Rules
LastName_FirstName_CategoryAbbrev_Title
Example:
Garcia_Maria_FA_GlassLight
Folder Rules
- One folder per submission
- Folder must include only files related to that artwork
- ZIP files are not allowed
LastName_FirstName_CategoryAbbrev_Title
Example:
Garcia_Maria_FA_GlassLight
Allowed File Types:
- Images: JPG / JPEG, PNG only
- Video: MP4 or MOV (hosted on video platform)
- Audio: MP3 or WAV
- Writing: PDF (preferred)
- Images: 10 MB per image
- Video: 500 MB maximum
- Audio: 50 MB maximum
- Writing PDFs: 10 MB maximum
5. AI Usage
It should be noted that the usage of AI is not prohibited in the act of creating, as AI is a tool, but if it is overly used it can result in elimination. All works should be made by the artist in the act of making beautiful things.
Medium Specific Requirements
Digital Arts (DA)
Includes, but is not limited to:
Digital illustration, graphic design, photography, film, animation, multimedia.
Requirements
Video (All Categories)
Artists whose work is experienced primarily through a screen.
Digital illustration, graphic design, photography, film, animation, multimedia.
Requirements
- Submit up to 5 images OR one video
- Photography series may include multiple images but must have one unified title
Video (All Categories)
- Recommended length: 1–2 minutes
- Hard cap: 3 minutes
- Judges are not required to review beyond 3 minutes
Artists whose work is experienced primarily through a screen.
Performing Arts (PA)
Includes, but is not limited to:
Dance, monologue, theatre scenes, choreographed performance.
Requirements
Dance, monologue, theatre scenes, choreographed performance.
Requirements
- Video submission required
- Recommended length: 1–2 minutes
- Hard cap: 3 minutes
- One continuous take
- No cuts once performance begins
- Minor trimming before or after performance allowed
- No slate or title card required
Music (MU)
Includes, but is not limited to:
Instrumental, vocal, composition, original scores.
Requirements
Instrumental, vocal, composition, original scores.
Requirements
- Audio or video submission
- Recommended length: 1–2 minutes
- Hard cap: 3 minutes
- Live recordings allowed
Fine Arts (FA)
Includes, but is not limited to:
Painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, textiles, physical works.
2D Work
Painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, textiles, physical works.
2D Work
- Up to 5 images
- Clear, well-lit documentation
- Minimum 2 images:
- Front view
- Side view
- Scale reference photo required
(ruler, hand, or written dimensions visible) - Up to 10 images total
Writing (WR)
Includes, but is not limited to:
Poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, essays.
Requirements
Poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, essays.
Requirements
- PDF strongly preferred
- Google Drive links allowed only if the file is not editable
- No identifying information inside the document (blind review)
- Maximum reviewed: 5 pages or 1,500 words
Non-Traditional / Experimental Art (NT)
Includes, but is not limited to:
Conceptual work, installations, crafted objects, interdisciplinary or unconventional media.
Requirements
Conceptual work, installations, crafted objects, interdisciplinary or unconventional media.
Requirements
- Submit documentation that best represents the work
- Images, video, or combination
- Up to 10 images
- Scale reference required for physical work
- Technical/process images strongly encouraged
- Clear description required in submission form