Not sure how many it's been, but it launches this year too ( It says it's the first ever but there's something like this every year with the Internet Archive. Very cool:
The 2026 Public Song Project
https://www.wnyc.org/story/2026-public-song-project/
... You can also think of the public domain as a free archive… which is a good segue to explain our new partnership this year.
PSP + Internet Archive
From the beginning, the PSP has collaborated with libraries to provide guidance for exploring the public domain, as well as resources for recording your songs. (See those resources at the bottom of the page.)
This year, we’re building on those collaborations by teaming up with the Internet Archive for our first-ever contest partnership! .... ...
.. What Can I Submit?
Your song could be:
- A straightforward cover of a public domain song
- A public domain composition with new music or lyrics
- A remix sampling films or sound recordings (make sure your sound recordings are from 1925 or earlier!)
- Public domain poetry set to original, or public domain, music
- An adaptation of quotes, passages, plotlines, or characters from a public domain book/play
- To hear how other submitters have responded to the project in the past, listen to our Public Songbook of all previous submissions.
.. .. 2026 is not just an anniversary for the Internet Archive. It also marks 250 years since America declared its independence — and 50 years since the Copyright Act of 1976, the foundation of modern US copyright law. .... ...
The 2026 Public Song Project
https://www.wnyc.org/story/2026-public-song-project/
Ohhh.. I didn't get it at first.. Yes, the Internet Archive host something like this each year, and this is a New York radio station teaming up to have their first ever contest by the station. Still very cool.
By the way, ss for the Internet Archive annual contest, it's already ran this year, here's the winners:
Updates from the Internet Archive
Announcing the 2026 Public Domain Film Remix Contest Winners, Honorable Mentions & Finalists
January 21, 2026 by Ster
https://blog.archive.org/2026/01/21/2026-public-domain-film-remix-contest/
Here's an NPR story about it:
Public domain contest challenges filmmakers to remix Betty Boop, Nancy Drew and more
January 21, 20267:00 AM ET
https://www.npr.org/2026/01/21/nx-s1-5677702/public-domain-2026-remix-contest-internet-archive-1930