More About Entering Competitions
As your advisor, I will screen out competitions that are blatantly unethical or disadvantageous to the artist. Of the competitions that are selected for this site, some may still not be ideal. In these cases,
I will provide a “WARNING”: look for the read warning advisory.
Ultimately, you need to decide what you feel is
fair & square.

With the exception of the “WARNING” advisory, The competitions listed below follow these criteria:
• Rules are clear
• Entry fees are not excessive (most are free)
• List of judges are known or judging is by public voting.
• The release of ownership rights are clearly stated. Read the prospectus carefully as most competitions require that you release your ownership and rights
to the art.
• Awards match the fair market value (cash and/or travel expenses, publication, PR, other)

The article on the right: “4 Elements of an Ethical Art Competition” by Thomas James, Illustrator, clearly targets the most important points on how best to evaluate art/design competitions you
may be planning to enter.

Please note: many of the competitions are not just
for students, but are OPEN TO ALL: Students, Grads, Faculty & Staff.

4 Elements of an Ethical Art Competition

by Thomas James, Illustrator
March 22, 2010
LINK: escapefromillustrationisland.com
LINK: thomasjamesillustration.com

Art Competitions can be a great way to challenge yourself and show your work to a wider, more
relevant audience.

However, there is a difference between fair and
unfair competitions, and sometimes even reputable organizations can miss the mark. That’s why it’s important to evaluate each one on its own terms to ensure that your rights are protected and that you understand what is expected of both you and the contest holder. Be sure to examine the terms of the competition closely and avoid any contests that potentially compromise your rights as an artist.

To help you determine whether a particular contest
is worth your time and money, here are 4 elements
to look for in an ethical art competition:

1. Clearly Defined Terms
All contest holders should define all details of the competition in the call for entries, such as the rules, entry fees, list of judges, judging criteria, and intended usage of the artwork.

2. Statement of Artist’s Rights
In a fair competition, the artist should retain all ownership and rights to the art, and the contest holder may only use or publish the image as defined
in the call for entries.

3. Fair Award Value
All winners should receive an award that is
compatible with fair market conditions in exchange
for any rights that are transferred to the contest holder.

4. Insured Artwork
The condition of original artwork should be protected and insured by the contest holder until it is returned to the artist.

Because every competition is different, you'll need
to decide for yourself which ones are right for you. Hopefully, these 4 key factors will help you to separate the fair from the unfair and protect
yourself from unethical practices.

Please note: many of the competitions are not just
for students, but are OPEN TO ALL: Students, Grads, Faculty & Staff.

Contact me if you have competitions you would like
to post or if you have any questions or concerns about competitions and events.

Good Luck,
Carole
riovi@sbcglobal.net

Carole R. Brown,
Student Competition Advisor
Instructor, Foundation Arts
The Art Institute of CA-SF
cbrown@aii.edu

contact

Carole R. Brown, Instructor, Foundation Arts
AiCA-SF Instructor & Student Competition Advisor
cbrown@aii.edu

http://cb373.aisites.com

6301 02314

6632 092915