BYU Sesquicentennial Celebration

Important Instructions And Information

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  Submission Guidelines

  Visual art: Submit a high-resolution photograph of the work. 3D works should be photographed from all sides. Digital files will only be accepted in JPG or PNG format. Image files must be high-resolution and 10 MB or less. Serial works may not include more than 3 pieces.

  Video files: Videos should be filmed in landscape format and should be uploaded to YouTube and marked “private.” Dance and performance videos may not exceed 10 minutes; short documentaries may not exceed 15 minutes. Include the URL on the online registration form.

  Written Word: Files should be submitted in PDF format and should not exceed 1500 words.

  Music: Files should be submitted in mp3 format and should not exceed 10 minutes; if lyrics are part of the music, please include a copy of the lyrics in PDF format.

  All submissions should include a high-resolution digital photo of yourself, as well as a creator’s statement and title and description of the work, which will be included as part of the registration process.

  Submissions that are selected as finalists may not be withdrawn. The submission of entries presupposes the right to photograph the works for catalogs, publicity, educational, and promotion purposes in perpetuity. By applying, you agree to these terms.

  If selected as a finalist, all work must be ready for display. 2D works are required to have a hanging wire attached to the back and may be no larger than 36” on each side. 3D works may not exceed 3 feet or 100 pounds.

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  Selection Process And Judging Criteria

  A panel of jurors will consider entries and make award decisions. Jurors will include members of BYU Graduate Studies and the university graduate community.

  Entries will be judged on relevance to the prompt, creativity, technical skill, and overall impact.

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  Awards, Award Ceremony, and Exhibition

  Awards:
  First Place: $5000
  Second Place: $2500
  Third Place: $1000
  Honorable Mention: $250 (4)
  People’s Choice: $500

  Entries selected as finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony on November 14, 2025, and included in an exhibition held on BYU campus (location TBA) from November 17 to December 5, 2025. Entries will also be shared on BYU Graduate Studies’ website as well as via social media to allow voting for a People’s Choice Award.

  First, second, and third place award winning entries will be permanently displayed in the Former Presidents’ Home, as well as shared in BYU Beacons of Light presentations and publications.

  Finalists will be responsible to supply their works to Graduate Studies in time for the Awards Ceremony, either by dropping off their work in person, by mail, or other appropriate means.

  Award winners are solely responsible for their travel arrangements if they choose to attend the awards ceremony in person.

  Return of entries for finalists not selected for awards will be the responsibility of the submitter.

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  Required Participant Agreements

  Code of Conduct

  Participants submitting to the Brigham Young University Graduate Studies Beacons of Light Competition must ensure their work is original and aligned with the competition theme. Professionalism is expected throughout the submission process, including timely communication and adherence to guidelines. Compliance with all laws and regulations, including copyright, is mandatory. Participants must conduct themselves ethically and accept the decisions of the organizers and judges. Use of AI technology is not allowed in any category. If any work is found to be using generative AI, that work will be disqualified. Submissions must be original and the submitting person must have the rights to any and all portions of the submission.

  Insurance Release Agreement

  By submitting the above-named work(s) to BYU Graduate Studies, the undersigned warrants that they are the owner of the artwork(s) or are the representative of the owner and have the authority to enter into this agreement. The undersigned recognizes that there are risks attached to the handling, security, management and care of the work(s) exhibited by BYU Graduate Studies, and that any work(s) submitted for exhibition are not insured by Brigham Young University or BYU Graduate Studies. Therefore, in submitting work(s) for exhibition, the undersigned does release and hold harmless BYU Graduate Studies and Brigham Young University from assumption of liability and any claim for work(s) and frame(s) or any claim for damage or loss of above work(s). BYU Graduate Studies will exercise professional diligence to protect all works placed in its charge.

  Media & Copyright Agreement

  The undersigned agrees that works submitted may be used for BYU Graduate Studies publicity and/or BYU publications. The undersigned grants to BYU Graduate Studies, as of the date written below, a non-exclusive royalty-free license (the “License”) to reproduce the Work, for the life of its copyright and any renewals or extensions thereof, in any media whether now known or invented after the date hereof (all reproduction, the “Images”), and to display, transmit, publish, distribute, prepare, derivative works of and otherwise use the Images throughout the world as follows: 1. in educational and promotional materials related to BYU Graduate Studies or Brigham Young University’s Sesquicentennial Celebration exhibitions and programs (including for example, posters, postcards, teaching materials, web sites, social networks, catalogues, and similar publications); and 2. in publicity and informational materials about BYU Graduate Studies or Brigham Young University’s Sesquicentennial Celebration exhibitions and programs (including, for example, press releases, web sites, social networks, annual reports, promotional flyers, email, posters or films, and membership solicitations).