Since 2010, the ars LITURGICA initiative has been organizing artistic design competitions under the title ars LITURGICA. Each competition involves creating a design for a sacred object.
In previous competitions, this has led to the creation of a Gospel book, a Lenten veil, and a processional cross for liturgical use, as well as a Nativity scene. Most recently, the competition focused on the design of a memorial site dedicated to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 2026 competition focuses on St. Dionysius Church in Nordwalde near Münster, Westphalia.
In their artistic design, many churches tell the story of only a small—and primarily male—group of witnesses to and bearers of the faith. At St. Dionysius in Nordwalde, this one-sidedness is to be decisively countered right in the church’s entrance area with a “new key position.” During the parish’s preliminary discussions on the concept, the biblical figure of Mary Magdalene played a central role.
The prizes are a first prize of 5,000 euros, a second prize of 3,000 euros, and a third prize of 1,000 euros.
Bidding documents and
Information about the Q&A session on June 12, 2026:
https://arsliturgica.liturgie.de
Submission deadline:
November 17, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
Application deadline: November 17, 2026