2025 CSSSA Official Poster

Design Contest!

The CSSSA Foundation is excited to announce the 2025 Official CSSSA Poster Design Contest! The purpose of this contest is to provide CSSSA alumni an opportunity to design inspiring, high-quality artwork to be used as CSSSA’s official artwork to build interest in and promote CSSSA 2025.  

The artwork will reference CSSSA’s seven arts disciplines–Animation, Dance, Film, Music, Theater, Visual Arts, and Writing. The winning design will be featured on official collateral and swag used to recruit and advertise to students, educators, and arts organizations throughout the state of California and beyond.  The contest is open only to CSSSA alumni!

PRIZE
The winning artist will receive a grand prize of $1,000 USD and the winning design will be featured on approximately 17,000 hi-quality printed posters and postcards mailed to schools throughout California, numerous digital imprints, with additional printed for in-person information sessions, masterclasses, and other events throughout the year.  The official poster art will also be featured on t-shirts given out during the summer session to students, faculty, and staff.  The winning artwork may also be featured on promotional stickers and other swag items. The winning artist will also receive a set of posters, postcards, and a t-shirt, and will have the opportunity to be featured in a spotlight interview discussing their process, inspiration, and experience as a student at CSSSA and as the winning artist.

PROCESS

  • Submissions will be accepted only via the online application accessible on this page (below).

  • Entrants are asked to submit a final file with dimensions 14”w x 22”h with a .25 bleed.  (Detailed artwork instructions included in Rules)

  • Once chosen, the winning artist will also be asked to submit a generalized background version of their poster art as well as an “evergreen” version with all dates removed.  

  • Entries will be judged using a 30-point rubric on originality, creativity, quality, and theme.

  • FEE: The contest is free and open to all CSSSA alumni.  

TIMELINE

  • May 1, 2024: Submission portal opens 12:00 am PT

  • Jun 15, 2024: Submission portal closes 11:59 pm PT  

  • Jun 17 - Jun 30, 2024: Judging process held

  • Jul 1, 2024: Finalist determined  

  • Jul 2024: Winner consults with CSSSA Foundation on any requested modifications

  • Aug 1, 2024: Final files delivered  

  • Sep 2024 - Feb 2025 (CSSSA Recruitment): Artwork featured on print and digital materials

  • Jul - Aug 2025 (CSSSA Session): Artwork featured on print and digital materials and swag

CONTEST RULES, ART REQUIREMENTS, & ELIGIBILITY 

DEADLINE: 06/15/2024 11:59 PM PT

CSSSA Foundation reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify this Contest, for any reason, and/or not award any prizes if no submissions are deemed worthy.

Prior year Poster Art examples below (provided as reference)