The City of Grants Pass has opened two creative competitions aimed at highlighting the importance of water in Southern Oregon, inviting both students and community photographers to contribute original work tied to this year’s theme, Every Drop Counts. The initiative is part of the city’s broader effort to promote public awareness about water conservation and water quality through its annual reporting and outreach efforts.
Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are encouraged to design a poster that reflects the theme Every Drop Counts. The contest is structured by grade levels, and three winners will be selected within each category. Prize awards for the student poster competition range from $100 to $50, depending on placement. The selected artwork will be incorporated into the City of Grants Pass 2025 Water Quality Report, giving young artists an opportunity to see their work published in an official municipal document distributed to residents.
In addition to the student poster contest, the city is also accepting submissions for a regional photography competition built around the theme What Water Means to Me. This portion of the contest is open to both amateur and professional photographers. Cash prizes for the photography category include $200 for first place and $100 for second place. Winning images will be featured in the 2026 Water Quality Report, shared through city social media platforms, used in promotional materials, and formally recognized during a Grants Pass City Council meeting.
All photo entries must be original works captured in a single frame using a camera, including DSLR cameras, point-and-shoot cameras, or smartphones. Composite images made from multiple layered photographs are not permitted, and images generated by artificial intelligence are explicitly prohibited. Submissions must be provided in a digital format suitable for reproduction in print and online materials.
Photographs must be taken within Southern Oregon, specifically in Curry, Jackson, Josephine, or Klamath counties. Each entry must include a completed agreement form at the time of submission. Entries will be evaluated based on creativity, originality, and relevance to the theme. According to the contest guidelines, all submissions become the property of the City of Grants Pass upon entry, and the judges’ decisions are final.
Participants should note that while City of Grants Pass employees and their family members are welcome to submit photos, they are not eligible to receive prize awards. Winners will be notified by email no later than January 15, 2026. Prizes are non-transferable, may not be substituted, and recipients are responsible for any applicable federal, state, or local taxes.
By submitting an entry, participants grant the City of Grants Pass a perpetual, royalty-free, and irrevocable license to use, publish, reproduce, edit, adapt, and distribute submitted materials for public information, public service announcements, educational purposes, and related promotional activities. The city also reserves the right to apply formatting adjustments necessary for printed or digital publications.
The deadline for all submissions is 5 p.m. on December 31, 2026. Entries may be submitted electronically to smorgan@grantspassoregon.gov. Full contest rules are available at https://www.grantspassoregon.gov, and the official entry form can be accessed at https://www.grantspassoregon.gov.