The 2007 – 2008 Prelude Awards
Submission Guidelines

Overview Schedule Entry Forms Submission Guildlines: Collaboration Creative Writing Dance Instumental Music Theater Video and Film Visual Arts Vocal Music

Visual Arts

General Requirements
Contestants must submit a portfolio that includes five works of art. Works may include painting, drawing, sculpture, jewelry, fiber arts, creative woodwork, ceramics, graphic design, photography, digital images and mixed media.
All pieces must be the original work of the artist. Work copied from photographs or from the work of other artists is not permitted. Two-dimensional work must be matted or mounted to best display it for upright viewing. Framing is permitted, though not required.
The use of a base or platform for three-dimensional work is at the contestant’s discretion. It is recommended to use a base or platform only if it enhances or is an integral part of the work.
The Children’s Museum reserves the right to disqualify works deemed inappropriate for the museum’s audience. The graphic depiction of sex, violence or nudity is prohibited. The Children’s Museum reserves the right to disqualify works deemed inappropriate for the museum’s audience.

Applicants must provide a cover sheet with their name, school name and entry number. Participants must put their entry number on the back of each piece of work. Sculptures, jewelry and creative woodwork must be tagged with the entry number.

Portfolios are to be delivered to The Children’s Museum on Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, from noon – 5 p.m. at Entrance 2 located at the north side of the building. All artwork must be picked up on Friday, January 18, 2008, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Please note that The Children’s Museum cannot guarantee the safety of works that are not picked up by the specified time. In the event that you are selected as one of the finalists, you will be notified and your work will remain at The Children’s Museum on display through February 8, 2008.

Criteria
Portfolios will be judged on overall excellence as demonstrated by the following criteria:

Originality:
Does the portfolio reflect the personal expression and artistic vision of the contestant?

Breadth or Depth:
A contestant whose portfolio includes diverse types of mediums and/or subjects will be judged on his/her mastery of each medium represented, as well as his/her ability to explore the chosen subject matter with depth. A diverse portfolio should also achieve a wholeness in effect.
A contestant whose portfolio reflects a concentration in one medium or subject will be judged on his/her mastery of that medium and on his/her ability to express an intensity of feeling and insight.

Technical Skills:
Does the contestant’s work show a mastery of skill and technique in each medium used? Does the work demonstrate the artist’s understanding of the elements and principles of design in relation to each medium used?

Judging
A panel of judges will be chosen from a list of working artists, critics, university professors and arts administrators from Indiana and surrounding states. In several instances, former Prelude Awards participants have served as judges.

When the visual arts portfolios arrive at the museum, Prelude Awards staff will remove the cover material and code them so that they may be viewed “blind.” Judges will assess each contestant based solely on the work submitted, using the criteria described on this sheet.

It is rare for one contestant’s work to so outshine all of the other competitors that he/she is a clear winner and every judge’s first choice. It is more common for the judges to identify several contestants with comparable skills. When this happens, the judges’ personal philosophies and preferences, as well as group dynamics, are bound to come into play in the process of selecting a winner. For instance, if three equally well-crafted pieces of art are submitted to three separate competitions, each with a separate set of judges, it is unlikely that the same piece of art will be judged the winner every time. It is extremely important for contestants to understand and accept that this element of subjectivity in the judging process is natural and inevitable.

Winning the Prelude Awards does not guarantee a successful career in the arts; nor does losing the competition mean that a successful career in the arts is out of the question. Successful working artists agree that self-discipline, hard work, determination and one’s ability to deal positively with criticism are the best indicators for success in the arts.

Many brilliant high school performers have gone on to lead very traditional lives. Many people whose talents went completely unrecognized in high school have gone on to have brilliant careers in the arts.
This year’s Prelude Awards will provide just one of many occasions in which a young artist’s creative efforts will be judged. A realistic picture of how a competition works and a healthy attitude about winning and losing will help keep stress to a minimum and allow contestants to keep the competition in good perspective so that it can be a useful learning experience.

Media Partner:

For additional information on the Prelude Awards at The Children’s Museum contact Ruby Ellison, Community Programs Coordinator at (317) 334-4119.