Will your design be our next front cover?
We’re inviting you to design the front cover of the Catholic Outlook Magazine’s Christmas and Summer 2025 edition!
People of all ages from across the Diocese of Parramatta are welcome to submit their artwork for consideration.
Let’s make this Advent and Christmas season a canvas of faith and joy – together.
The art competition has now closed.
If you have any questions about this competition, email [email protected]
Theme – The true meaning of Christmas: Jubilee Year of Hope
The theme for this edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine invites artists to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas in light of the Jubilee Year of Hope. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, God’s gift of love and salvation to the world, which continues to inspire hope in every generation.
Entrants are encouraged to show how this message of hope is alive today – in faith, family, community, and the joy of sharing Christ’s light with others.
Dates
Competition opens on Monday 1 September 2025,
Competition closes on Friday 7 November 2025 at 11.59pm AEDT.
Judging will begin from 10 November 2025.
The winning artwork will be announced in December 2025 and will feature on the Christmas cover of Catholic Outlook Magazine (Summer 2025–2026 edition).
Judging Criteria
The Diocesan Communications Team will assess entries on:
- Originality and creativity (25%)
- Composition and design (25%)
- Use of medium (25%)
- Interpretation of theme (25%)
How to enter
All entries must include:
- A high-resolution digital image of the artwork (JPG, PNG, or TIF).
- A short description of the artwork (20–200 words), which can be written and submitted via the entry form.
How to submit:
Upload your entry using the online entry form below. Postal or in-person submissions will not be accepted, as completion of the consent form and acknowledgements is required.
If the artist is under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must give permission for the artwork to be submitted. Please complete the consent form in our online entry form.
Multiple entries are allowed.
Terms and conditions
We’re inviting you to design the front cover of this year’s Christmas magazine! All ages welcome. Let your artwork reflect the true meaning of Christmas during this Jubilee Year of Hope.
Who can enter
The art competition is open to people of all ages who live in the Diocese of Parramatta.
Key dates
- Entries close on Friday 7 November 2025 at 11.59pm AEST.
- Judging will begin from 10 November 2025.
- The winning artwork will be announced in December 2025 and will feature on the Christmas cover of Catholic Outlook Magazine (Summer 2025–2026 edition).
Theme – The true meaning of Christmas: Jubilee Year of Hope
This year’s theme invites artists to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas in light of the Jubilee Year of Hope. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, God’s gift of love and salvation to the world, which continues to inspire hope in every generation. Entrants are encouraged to show how this message of hope is alive today – in faith, family, community, and the joy of sharing Christ’s light with others.
Artwork requirements
- Artworks may include drawing, painting, collage, photography, computer art or a combination of these, provided they are one-dimensional.
- Sculpture, pottery or three-dimensional works will not be accepted.
- All entries must be original works created by the entrant.
- Borrowed, copied, traced, modified or AI-generated works will not be accepted.
- Entries must not include logos, brands or products.
- Works containing offensive, inappropriate or discriminatory content will not be considered.
- Artwork should be portrait format, no larger than A4, and of high-resolution quality suitable for printing.
How to enter
All entries must include:
- A high-resolution digital image of the artwork (JPG, PNG, or TIF).
- A short description of the artwork (20–200 words) via the entry form.
How to submit:
Upload your entry using the online entry form. Postal or in-person submissions will not be accepted, as completion of the consent form and acknowledgements is required.
If the artist is under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must give permission for the artwork to be submitted. Please complete the consent form in our online entry form.
Multiple entries are allowed.
Judging
The Diocesan Comms Team will assess entries on:
- Originality and creativity (25%)
- Composition and design (25%)
- Use of medium (25%)
- Interpretation of theme (25%)
Winners and prizes
Winners will be personally notified by phone or email before the Christmas edition is published.
Rights and use of artwork
By entering, participants grant the Diocese of Parramatta permission to publish, display and promote submitted artworks in print, online, social media, exhibitions, Christmas celebrations and parish events. Displays may include the entrant’s name, age and parish as follows:
- Entrants under 18: first name, age and parish only.
- Entrants 18 and over: first name, parish, and age (if provided). Adults may choose to have their surname published by providing consent on the entry form.
By entering, participants (or their parent/guardian if under 18) consent to their details being displayed in this way.
All entries must be the entrant’s own original work and free of copyright issues. Entrants indemnify the Diocese against any claims of copyright infringement.
Privacy
Personal information is collected to administer the competition in accordance with the Diocese’s Privacy Policy.
Agreement
By submitting an entry, entrants confirm they have read and accept these Terms and Conditions.