Reddit (yes, I know... Reddit) will be hosting Skyrim Modding Contests soon. I've been http://www.reddit.com/r/skyrimmods/comments/2uycc8/proposed_modding_contest_rules_draft/ and am nearly done.
Essentially, a theme will be chosen each contest, and mods can be submitted for that contest. One is voted on, recognition/reward (NOT monetary), etc.
You can read the full guidelines https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwlIF_4xkSTvMk9fbmdXQWlPdkk/view?usp=sharing.
Anyway, the reason I took it up is because I think it'll be a lot of fun. New mod authors and more experienced mod authors can throw a mod they make into the mix, and win or not. I hope some of you will participate when the first contest starts (I'll update this thread when it does).