Entries now open for the 2026 NTU Arts Creative Competition
Calling all NTU students, colleagues and alumni – this year's creative competition is open for entries and we want to hear from you! Submit a piece of creative writing, art or music inspired by our featured writer.
By Mackenzie Orrock | Published on 3 February 2026
Categories: Alumni; Current students; NTU Arts; Staff;
Inspired by the book Queer as Folklore by Featured Writer Sacha Coward, we're asking you to submit writing, music or images representing monsters, myths and magic as part of our annual creative competition.
Whether you want to reimagine Robin Hood, get into the head of the Little Mermaid or draw on stories from different cultures to make something new, folk tales and mythical creatures of all kinds are welcome.
Prizes and opportunities
Winners will be in with a chance of winning a selection of vouchers, tickets, books and art materials – plus the winning entries will be featured in the Myths, Monsters and Magic anthology, launched at the NTU Arts Showcase on 20 May at Metronome.
How to enter
You can make submissions in the following categories:
- Creative writing: 400 words or 40 lines of poetry in 12-point Garamond
- Music: a song or musical piece of up to 3 minutes, written in 2025/26
- Image: a photo, illustration, drawing or painting, uploaded as a JPEG or PNG
You can make two submissions in different genres, for example, a song and a poem, or a photo and an illustration
If you are an NTU student or staff member you can find out more and submit your entry via this form.
If you are NTU Alumni, find out more and submit via this form.
The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on Friday 27 March 2026.
Writers, there’s a chance to get ahead (or two) with your entry for the competition at this Writing Workshop on Thursday 12 February.
If you have any questions, please email ntuarts@ntu.ac.uk
Good luck!