Name SPARC’s Owl Contest
Image description: A beautiful, golden Owl spreads its wings above its head. Its face is white and its eyes are grey. Sparks of many colours fly up and off its wings. It is a happy and majestic image.
Can you believe we have this gorgeous Owl and it doesn’t have a name? We’ve been searching high and low for a name and to find out more about this golden owl, but we haven’t found anything. Do you think you can help us? You can?! Great!
Here’s what we need:
A name and a story for our Owl.
Who we are:
SPARC (Supporting Performing Arts in Rural and Remote Communities) is a group of creative people who believe that the arts live everywhere! We work by connecting artists, creators and arts lovers, who live and/or work rurally, to each other. That’s why our logo is an Owl! To find out more about us, you can (with permission as needed) visit our website at: https://www.sparcperformingarts.com
Here’s how you can help/get involved:
• The “Name SPARC’s Owl” contest is open to any child/teen living in Canada, and to Canadian children/teens living in other countries.
• There will be three (3) categories. The categories are:
• Ages O-6
• Ages 7-12
• Ages 13-18
• Each entry must contain one (1) name for, and one (1) original short story about, the Owl.
• People can enter up to five (5) times each - but each entry must be a separate email.
• The stories need to be a certain length. Each age category has a different length. They are:
• Ages O-6 - a minimum of 3 sentences to a maximum of 1 page
• Ages 7-12 - a minimum of 2 paragraphs to a maximum of 1.5 pages
• Ages 13-18 - a minimum of 4 paragraphsto a maximum of 3 pages
• The winners will be featured in a SPARC newsletter, on our website, and on SPARC social media channels.
• The Owl will keep it’s name for 5 years (from 2027-2032), at least.
• The winner will be credited with naming the SPARC Owl.
• There will be four (4) prizes. The prizes are:
• Ages O-6 - $50 prize for top name & story in this category & your entry will be published on SPARC’s website and social media channels.
• Ages 7-12 - $50 prize for top name & story in this category & your entry will be published on SPARC’s website and social media channels.
• Ages 13-18 - $50 prize for top name & story in this category & your entry will be published on SPARC’s website and social media channels.
• Overall Winner - $200 prize for top name & story & your entry will be published on SPARC’s website and social media channels. This winner can come from any of the above categories/age groups.
How to send in your ideas:
• Email your entry to: admin@sparcperformingarts.com with “Name the SPARC Owl Contest” in the subject line.
• Emails must have the name of the person entering, as well as their age, clearly marked.
• Stories do not need to be typed, if they are handwritten they must be scanned and attached to an email (if writing is not possible or legible, caregivers may type the name and story for the entrant).
• Names and stories can be submitted in either official Language (English or French).
• Indigenous Languages - at this time we are unable to translate Indigenous languages, however we encourage Indigenous writers to use original languages when their stories call for it (we may ask for translation or more information via phone or email).
• Note to caregivers/parents/educators - SPARC is about supporting, nurturing and encouraging artists in all forms, and we thank you for supporting your writer in this process! Ideally we are looking for authentic kid and teen voices, so while you are typing up or assisting your creative writer, we ask that you refrain from "helping" or influencing them and instead offer guidance and support as needed, leaving the story and names as their own creation.
What not to send:
Entries that contain discrimination, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and other forms of hate speech and/or oppression.
Contest Dates:
The contest is open from July 22 - December 31, 2026.
Winners will be announced on January 30, 2027.
Good luck and thanks for helping us to name our Owl!!!
