The competition is open to artists and artisans living within the Columbia Basin. Emerging and established artists are encouraged to apply.

There is no entry fee.

Artists may submit up to two entries. Each entry requires a separate submission form.

All submitted work must:

• Be original work created by the submitting artist.
• Have been completed within the past two years.
• Be suitable for a family-friendly public exhibition.
• Arrive complete, safe and ready for display.
• Be available for the full exhibition period.

Each entry must be submitted in one of the following categories:

1. Drawing, Illustration & Pyrography
2. Painting & Print-Based Media
3. Photography, Digital & New Media
4. Sculpture, Ceramics & Three-Dimensional Works
5. Textiles, Fibre Arts & Functional or Decorative Crafts

Work that crosses disciplines should be submitted in the category the artist feels most closely reflects its primary medium or creative approach.

During the selection process, organizers may move an entry to another category if it is considered a better fit. The artist will be informed if their entry is moved.

Artists under 18 are encouraged to enter.

Youth artists will submit their work within one of the five medium-based categories and will identify themselves as under 18 on the submission form. Youth entries will be considered using the criteria for their selected category, with appropriate consideration given to the artist’s age and stage of artistic development.

The submission form will ask youth artists to identify any technical assistance they received from an adult. Adult assistance does not disqualify an entry when the artistic concept and primary creative decisions belong to the youth artist.

The format of additional youth recognition will be determined after submissions close, based on the number and distribution of youth entries. Youth artists remain eligible for category awards and the Jurors’ Choice Award.

Use the google form to submit one entry form per submission.

Each submission must include:

• Artist’s name and contact information
• Community of residence
• Artwork title
• Category
• Medium and materials
• Dimensions
• Year completed
• Artist statement or description of the work
• One or two clear images of the completed work
• Display or installation instructions, where applicable
• Sale price or an indication that the work is not for sale
• Any accessibility or participation support requested

Two-dimensional work requires at least one clear image.

Sculpture, ceramics and other three-dimensional work requires two images showing the work from different viewpoints.

There is no fee to submit artwork for consideration.

A $10 entry fee will be charged for each artwork selected for the competition. Artists will receive payment instructions with their selection confirmation and artist agreement.

Artists submitting two works will only pay for the works accepted into the competition. For example, if one work is accepted, the fee will be $10; if both works are accepted, the fee will be $20.

The entry fee must be paid before the accepted artwork is delivered for exhibition.

Artists for whom the entry fee creates a financial barrier are welcome to contact RCAC privately to request a fee waiver. Fee-waiver requests will not affect selection or jurying.

Accepted entries will be juried on Saturday, September 26.

Three jurors, supported by a jury assistant, will evaluate each entry using criteria appropriate to its category. The jury assistant will support administration and score calculation but will not score the artwork.

Entries will be evaluated based on:

ARTISTIC VISION AND EXPRESSION — 25 POINTS

The clarity and strength of the work’s idea, feeling, perspective or creative intention, including how effectively the artist’s choices support that intention.

ORIGINALITY AND CREATIVE VOICE — 20 POINTS

The work’s imagination, individuality, personal interpretation and evidence of thoughtful creative exploration.

TECHNICAL EXECUTION — 25 POINTS

The artist’s handling of their chosen materials, tools and processes; the completeness and intentionality of the work; and how effectively the technique supports the artistic purpose.

COMPOSITION, FORM AND DESIGN — 20 POINTS

The effective arrangement and relationship of visual elements such as line, colour, texture, shape, space, scale, balance, contrast, rhythm and movement.

OVERALL IMPACT — 10 POINTS

The work’s ability to create a cohesive, engaging or memorable experience and its overall strength within its category.

Technical complexity alone will not determine artistic merit. Entries will be considered in relation to their medium and the artist’s intended approach.

AWARDS

The following cash awards will be presented:

• Drawing, Illustration & Pyrography: $100
• Painting & Print-Based Media: $100
• Photography, Digital & New Media: $100
• Sculpture, Ceramics & Three-Dimensional Works: $100
• Textiles, Fibre Arts & Functional or Decorative Crafts: $100
• Jurors’ Choice Award: $150
• Youth recognition: $100 reserved, with the format to be determined based on the number and distribution of youth entries

A work may receive both a category award and the Jurors’ Choice Award.

The highest-scoring entry in each category will form the starting point for award deliberations. Jurors may discuss close scores, ties and significant differences in scoring before confirming the awards.

The Jurors’ Choice Award will recognize the work the jury considers the strongest overall entry and does not have to be awarded solely on the basis of the highest numerical score.

All jury decisions are final.

CASH AWARDS

A total of $1,200 in cash prizes will be awarded!

Awards will recognize outstanding work in the following areas:

• Drawing, Illustration & Pyrography
• Painting & Print-Based Media
• Photography, Digital & New Media
• Sculpture, Ceramics & Three-Dimensional Works
• Textiles, Fibre Arts & Functional or Decorative Crafts
• Jurors’ Choice
• Youth Recognition

Youth artists are also eligible for awards within their medium-based category and for the Jurors’ Choice Award.

Final award amounts and the format of youth recognition will be confirmed based on the number and distribution of eligible entries.

A work may receive both a category award and the Jurors’ Choice Award.

The highest-scoring entry in each category will form the starting point for award deliberations. Jurors may discuss close scores, ties and significant differences in scoring before confirming the awards.

The Jurors’ Choice Award will recognize the work the jury considers the strongest overall entry and does not have to be awarded solely on the basis of the highest numerical score.

All jury decisions are final.

Artists may offer their artwork for sale during the exhibition. No commission will be charged by the Rossland Council for Arts and Culture or the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre.

Where possible, purchasers will be connected directly with the artist to arrange payment.

If RCAC or the Museum processes a payment on the artist’s behalf, any applicable online or payment-processing fees will be deducted from the sale price. The artist will receive all remaining net revenue.

Artists are responsible for setting their sale price and for any taxes or other obligations associated with the sale of their work.

Unless otherwise approved, sold artwork must remain on display until the exhibition closes.

Artists are responsible for delivering their accepted work to the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre during the designated intake period on September 24 and collecting it during the designated pickup period.

Alternative arrangements must be approved in advance.

Artists are responsible for insuring their artwork during transportation and throughout the exhibition. Reasonable care will be taken when handling and displaying all work; however, the Rossland Council for Arts and Culture and the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage.

Accepted artists will be asked to grant the organizers permission to photograph their work and use submitted images for exhibition promotion, documentation and funding reports.

Artists will retain copyright in their work. Images will be credited to the artist wherever reasonably possible.