The College of Fine Arts is pleased to announce the 3rd annual Pamela Phillips Oland Excellence in the Art of Writing Lyrics Award.

“This competition seeks to develop and promote the craft of songwriting across the disciplines of music, theatre, and dance. We are so pleased to steward this worthwhile endeavor within the College of Fine Arts," said Dean Nancy J. Uscher.

All those interested are invited to apply. Applicants, emerging and mid-career artists who have focused careers on the writing of lyrics within a range of art forms, are asked to submit a C.V., two examples of lyrics writing, a personal statement about how this award will help advance an individual's career, and how it is in alignment with future career goals and aspirations. Deadline for submissions is Dec. 19. The winner will be announced March 2, 2026.

The winner of the competition receives a $5,000 award and will be invited to UNLV during the fall 2026 semester to work with College of Fine Arts students, and for an event celebrating the award.

Please submit applications/proposals online.

You must log in with a Gmail or Google account in order to successfully load the competition application and ensure your required materials are uploaded along with your form answers. 

About the UNLV College of Fine Arts

The College of Fine Arts educates, empowers, and engages creative people to become visionary change-makers in the arts through acts of imagination. At UNLV we believe the arts are an essential good for society. We make education relevant and accessible through our programs and outreach. We create new knowledge in the arts. We celebrate independent thought and the power of bringing people together to foster creativity.