2026 Cultural and Creative Product Design Competition
Competition Theme: World Dulcimer Art · Creative Legacy
Event Highlights:
🌟 Publication Opportunity: The top 5 works will be included in the association's "Official Cultural & Creative Products" website, for global distribution.
🌟 Product Realization: Winning designs will be manufactured into physical products by the association and sold at the next event for charity, with proceeds used to promote dulcimer art.
🌟 Honorary Recognition: Designers will receive an award certificate from the association and retain the right of authorship for their work. The right to use the work will be owned by the association, and the final product will be given to the designer for collection.
Eligibility:
This competition is open globally to dulcimer enthusiasts of all ages, students, teachers and students from art institutions, and creative professionals.
Submission Requirements:
- Works must feature the "dulcimer" as the core design element, embodying its cultural essence or artistic beauty.
- Submissions can be hand-drawn or computer-designed. Please submit design drafts and a creative explanation (under 300 words).
- No style limitations.
- Design drafts must be clear. Hand-drawn drafts should be scanned into JPG or PDF format (resolution no less than 300dpi); computer-drawn designs should be submitted as original files or high-resolution JPG/PNG.
- Each submission must include a brief design concept explanation (under 300 words).
Submission Deadline:
June 30, 2026, 23:59 (based on email sending time; late submissions will not be accepted).
How to Submit:
Please send the electronic version of your work (minimum 3MB) to the official email: info@interdulcimer.com. The email subject should be "World Dulcimer Cultural & Creative Competition + Name + Contact Information".
Let traditional instruments shine anew, connect the world with creativity!
Selection Process:
- Preliminary Review: Association staff will verify eligibility and completeness of submissions.
- Secondary Review: The expert committee of the International Dulcimer Art Association will conduct a professional review.
- Result Announcement: The judging panel will select the "Top 5" shortlisted works. Results will be announced on the association's official channels two weeks after the deadline, and selected participants will be notified via email.
Awards and Subsequent Rights:
1. The "Top 5" shortlisted works will be collected and officially published by the association (forms include, but are not limited to, association publications, cultural & creative products, or digital publications).
2. The association will be responsible for manufacturing the "Top 5" designs into physical products. These products will be sold at the association's next major event for charity (charity sale), with proceeds used to promote dulcimer art and public welfare.
3. As the highest tribute to the designers, the association will present the manufactured final product to the designer for permanent collection after the event.
Intellectual Property and Copyright Statement:
Submitted works must be original. Plagiarism and unauthorized use of others' works are strictly prohibited. In case of copyright disputes, participants shall bear legal responsibility, and the association reserves the right to disqualify them and reclaim awards.
Copyright Authorization:
1. For the "Top 5" shortlisted works, the rights of production, sale, and publication belong to the International Dulcimer Art Association. The association has the right to convert them into products.
2. Participants retain the right of authorship for their works.
3. Copyright for unshortlisted works belongs to the authors, but the association has the right to display relevant works for promotion of this competition.
Other Matters:
1. All participants are deemed to agree to all provisions of these rules.
2. The International Dulcimer Art Association reserves the right of final interpretation and modification of this event and these rules.