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Event History
The Pennsylvania Journal of Arts & Sciences (PJAS) was established as an independent interdisciplinary publication dedicated to showcasing contemporary creative work across visual art, writing, and related fields. Since its founding, PJAS has expanded its reach through print and digital publication, open calls, competitions, exhibitions, and artist features. PJAS competitions are designed to extend the journal’s editorial mission by creating accessible opportunities for emerging and established artists to receive recognition, publication, and broader exposure. Interest in PJAS opportunities has continued to grow alongside the journal’s audience and submission volume, bringing together artists working across a wide range of media, styles, and backgrounds. The Fall 2026 Open Theme Competition continues this development by removing thematic restrictions entirely and allowing artists to submit the work they consider most representative of their practice.
What Makes this event different?
The PJAS Open Theme Competition is deliberately unrestricted in both subject matter and medium. Rather than asking artists to adapt their work to a predetermined theme, the competition allows entrants to submit work that most strongly represents their own creative direction. Selections are considered not only for technical execution, but also for originality, conceptual strength, visual presence, and the ability of a work to communicate a distinct artistic perspective. Traditional, digital, photographic, mixed-media, sculptural, and experimental practices are considered within the same open framework. The selected artist also receives more than a monetary award. The winning work is supported through publication and a dedicated interview feature, giving audiences an opportunity to engage with both the artwork and the artist’s larger practice. Finalists may likewise be selected for publication in an upcoming PJAS issue.
Copyright Policy
Artists retain full copyright ownership of all work submitted to the competition. Submission to PJAS does not transfer copyright or ownership of the artwork to the Pennsylvania Journal of Arts & Sciences. Artists remain free to display, publish, reproduce, sell, license, or otherwise use their work elsewhere. PJAS receives only the limited permissions necessary to review submitted work and, where applicable, reproduce and promote selected work in connection with the competition, the journal, and related editorial coverage.
Image Usage Rights
By submitting work, entrants grant the Pennsylvania Journal of Arts & Sciences permission to reproduce submitted images for purposes directly related to the competition and PJAS editorial or promotional activity. This may include displaying selected work on the PJAS website, in print or digital issues, competition announcements, finalist or winner features, interviews, social media, newsletters, exhibition or promotional materials, and archival documentation. PJAS does not acquire ownership of submitted images. Copyright remains with the artist, and images will not be sold or licensed to third parties as standalone commercial content without separate permission from the artist.
Fall 2026 Open Theme Competition
The Pennsylvania Journal of Arts & Sciences (PJAS) invites artists worldwide to participate in its Fall 2026 Open Theme Competition. The international open call welcomes contemporary creative work without restrictions on subject matter, style, or medium.
Open Theme, All Media
Artists are encouraged to submit work that represents their individual practice. Entries may explore a specific idea, document a particular moment, experiment with form, or present a distinctive visual perspective. Rather than responding to a predetermined theme, artists are free to decide what they want their work to communicate.
All artistic media are welcome, including:
Painting
Drawing
Sculpture
Photography
Digital art
Mixed media
Collage
Illustration
Installation
Experimental and interdisciplinary practices
Submission and Selection
Artists should submit high-resolution images or files of their work along with a concise artist statement describing the concept, process, context, or ideas behind the submission.
Entries will be considered based on factors including originality, artistic direction, conceptual or emotional resonance, execution, and the overall strength of the work. Artists at different stages of their careers are welcome to apply.
Prize and Publication
One selected entry will receive a $1,000 cash prize, a spotlight interview feature, and prominent placement in an upcoming issue of PJAS.
Finalists will also be eligible for publication in an upcoming issue.
The competition has no preferred subject, aesthetic, or artistic approach. Artists are invited to submit work that they consider intentional, memorable, and representative of their individual perspective.
For more information, please visit the Event Website.
