Introducing the 2026 MOA Photography Competition

• BYU student photographers are invited to submit photos for the MOA’s first ever photography competition
• The theme for the competition is “Photojournalism as Self-Portrait”
• Winning photographers will be invited to present their photos at a public event with Kirk Sharp, Executive Director of the Gordon Parks Museum, on October 22, 2026

Gordon Parks, "At the poverty board: Bessie and Kenneth, Little Richard, Norman, Jr. and Ellen," London, England, from the series "What I Want, What I Am, What You Force Me to Be Is What You Are," 1967, printed in 2017, gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches, Kansas State University, Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, gift of Gordon Parks and the Gordon Parks Foundation, 2017.358. Courtesy of and copyright The Gordon Parks Foundation.

Background:

In celebration of the exhibition Homeward to the Prairie I Come and the artwork of photographer Gordon Parks, the Museum of Art is delighted to announce its first ever photography competition. Parks was a celebrated photojournalist whose work illuminated events, stories, and individuals around the world, particularly in the United States. The exhibition highlights how his photography sheds light, not only on its subjects, but also on the artist himself.

Submission Guidelines:

This contest is open to all current BYU students, who may submit one entry of up to five photos and a caption as part of a set, with a single cover image indicated. They may do so in one of two ways:

• Posting their photos and caption on Instagram, tagging the Museum (@byumoa), and using the hashtag #MOAPhotoContest
• Emailing their photos and caption to riley_lewis@byu.edu with the subject line MOA Photo Contest

We ask that all submissions enlighten the viewer on both their subjects and on the photographer. For inspiration, we invite photographers to view Parks’ photography in the exhibition.

Only still photography will be accepted. Photos may be edited, but use of AI to create or alter images in any way is prohibited. We ask that all entrants grant the Museum permission to share their photos on its website and social media, and that all winners make every reasonable effort to attend the event at the MOA on October 22 at 7 PM at the Museum.

Deadline and Judging:

All submissions must be made by 11:59 PM on October 1.