Help Create the Look of the 2027 PSPA Journalism Summit

Calling all student artists, illustrators, photographers, and creatives!

The Philadelphia Student Press Association (PSPA) is inviting students from its member schools to submit original artwork for the 2027 PSPA Journalism Summit, taking place February 27, 2027 at WHYY Public Media Commons.

We're looking for student creativity to help shape the look and feel of this year's Summit. Selected artwork may be featured on the Summit website, incorporated into event branding and promotional materials, shared across social media, and displayed at the event.

Whether you create art in the classroom, contribute to your school publication, or work on projects in your free time, we'd love to see what you create.

What Are We Looking For?

We're open to all kinds of artwork, styles, and creative interpretations, including photography, illustration, painting, digital art, graphic design, mixed media, and more.

Your submission does not have to be specifically about journalism. It can explore any subject, idea, or experience that matters to you.

Some areas of inspiration include:

• Journalism and storytelling: News, media, photography, freedom of expression, and the power of storytelling.

• Advocacy and activism: Social movements, community issues, civic engagement, and causes you care about.

• Current events: Local and national issues, politics, culture, and the world around us.

• Identity and community: Culture, personal experiences, representation, and belonging.

• Art and creativity: Abstract designs, illustrations, photography, graphic design, typography, collage, and experimental work.

These are just a few ideas to get started. There is no required theme, style, or medium. We want to see your perspective and creativity.

*All submissions must be original, student-created work. AI-generated artwork or designs created using generative AI tools will not be accepted.

How Could Your Artwork Be Featured?

Student submissions will help make the 2027 Summit a more collaborative and student-driven experience.

Selected artwork may be incorporated into several parts of the event, including:

• Summit Website: Artwork featured throughout the official 2027 Summit website.

• Event Branding: Illustrations and designs incorporated into the Summit's visual identity and overall look.

• Promotional Materials: Artwork used in digital posters, social media graphics, and event announcements.

• At the Summit: Student work displayed through event signage, printed materials, or a dedicated art showcase.

We're especially interested in bringing different student perspectives together. Multiple artists and creative styles may be represented throughout the Summit's materials.

Who Can Submit?

This opportunity is open to students attending PSPA member schools across the Philadelphia region.

Students of all grade levels and creative backgrounds are encouraged to participate. You do not need to be involved in your school's newspaper, yearbook, or journalism program to submit.

Individual and collaborative projects are welcome. For group submissions, please include the names of all contributing artists.

How to Submit

Have something you'd like to share? We want to see it!

To submit your work, please provide:

• Artwork: A digital image or high-quality scan of your original piece.

• Artist name: How you would like to be credited.

• School: The name of your PSPA member school.

• Artwork title: The title of your piece, if applicable.

• Medium: How the artwork was created.

• Artist statement: A brief blurb of your work, what inspired it, or what it means to you.

Digital submissions should be provided in JPG, PNG, or PDF format whenever possible. Physical artwork can be photographed or scanned, provided the image is clear and high-quality.

A Few Submission Guidelines

All submissions must be original work created by the student or students submitting it. Students retain ownership of their artwork.

By submitting, artists give PSPA permission to feature and reproduce selected artwork in materials related to the 2027 Journalism Summit, including the Summit website, social media, and event materials. Artists will be credited whenever their work is featured, where reasonably possible.

Submitting artwork does not guarantee selection or publication. PSPA will review submissions and determine which pieces are best suited for the different Summit features and materials.

There is no cost to participate.

Make Your Mark on the 2027 Summit

The PSPA Journalism Summit brings together student journalists, educators, media professionals, and creatives from across Philadelphia to share ideas, learn from one another, and celebrate student journalism.

This year, we want students to help shape the experience in a new way. Through their artwork, students can contribute to the Summit's identity and help create something that reflects the creativity, perspectives, and voices of our community.

Your work could appear on the Summit website, become part of its visual identity, or be displayed for hundreds of attendees to see!

Submit your artwork by December 10th 2026.