YoungArts

While it is expected that participants will consult with their teachers in the selection of portfolio material, participants are urged to submit work they feel best represents their creative interests.

Work need not be done during the current year, but must be original work and can be done in or out of school. Work that suggests visual plagiarism (i.e., a direct copy of another artist's work) will NOT be accepted.

Recommendations

Position the camera to take an image as “tight” as possible to the original.
Use as much natural light as possible, minimizing the amount of flash needed for the image. The best photographs are taken with indirect sunlight with no glare or shadows on your artwork.

When photographing flat works of art, use a neutral or non-distracting background, avoid covering the art work with a surface such as glass or acetate that will produce a glare. Objects not related to your art work should not be included in your picture. 

Images may not be digitally manipulated or altered other than color or contrast correction.

Images are to be nothing more than digital representations of original artwork.
The participant is responsible for the quality of the submission and the quality of the digital images will affect judging. Digital images that are out of focus, poorly lit, or difficult to see will be disqualified. (There are no refunds even if your materials are disqualified).

Visual Arts participants are required to:

1) Upload ten images (go to uploading requirements to see how to upload).

• Five images reflecting a consistent body of work based on a cohesive idea or technique.
• Five images that are an equally strong body of work that either supports the first five or reveals another strength.  
• See below for how you must format your images and files for the upload.

2) Complete the information on the upload page of the website, with the name of the artwork, the date completed, medium, and size of artwork.

The portfolio should demonstrate original thinking, an artistic commitment and a willingness to take creative risks. While it is expected that participants will consult with their teachers in the selection of portfolio material, participants are urged to submit work they feel best represents their creative interests.

Work need not be done during the current year, but must be original and can be done in or out of school. Work that suggests visual plagiarism (i.e., a direct copy of another artist's work) will NOT be accepted.

Formatting images

• Image Print Size: at least 4 x 6 inches at 300 dpi.
• Image File Size: Maximum of 6 x 9 inches at 300 dpi.
• Image File Size: Minimum of 500 KB / Maximum 4 MB.
• Image File Format: JPEG (JPG)

Do Not

(This will disqualify you)

• Use images created with camera phones.
• Use images designated as “web-ready”.
• Submit slideshows.
• Submit PowerPoint presentations.
• Submit animations.
• Submit movies.
• Submit audio with your pictures.
• Embed your images into Microsoft Word.
• Submit your images on a CD.

Technical Specifications for Images Created Using a Digital Camera

• Set Camera for "JPEG" format.
• Set Camera for "fine" or "extra fine" resolution, not "web" or "normal". 
• Use a 2+ megapixel camera that has a high resolution setting.
• Image pixel size camera setting: Minimum 1200 x 1800 / Maximum of 1800 x 2700. 

Click here for instructions to reduce image files larger than 4MG (PC Users Only) 

Technical Specifications for Scanning Photographs/Slides

• Scan slides at 100% at a minimum of 1500 dpi.
• Scan photographs at 100% at 300 dpi if photo is 4 x 6 inches or larger (8 x 10 photographs use 250 dpi.
• Photographs larger than 6 x 9, decrease the dpi by 50 for each additional size scale. (ex. scan photographs at 100%, but at 250 dpi for 8 x 10 or 200 dpi for 9 x 12).
• Scan photographs at 100% using at least 600 dpi if photo is smaller than 4 x 6 inches.

The participant is responsible for the quality of the submission and the quality of the images will affect judging. Images that are out of focus, poorly lit, or difficult to see will be disqualified. There are no refunds even if your materials are disqualified.

Minimize use of digital manipulation. A complicated effect using Photoshop will not impress the judges.

Uploading Requirements

Please review the uploading requirements carefully.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluations of participants are based on the following criteria:
Participants are asked to present work that best exemplifies the extent and quality of their accomplishment. The reviewers look for the development of original ideas in the work submitted – imagination, competence, and the skillful use of materials. While it is expected that participants will consult their teachers in the selection of portfolio material, participants are urged to submit work that they personally feel best represents their creative interests.

What Panelists Look For

"The panel is seeking an artist who is technically proficient but more importantly, the artist must demonstrate a personal aesthetic; one that promises an original contribution to the visual arts."

"Technically strong but unique in approach to even routine assignments. Strong, original, independent work."

"We are looking for young artists who have accomplished technique and consistency but also have original vision and energy that set their work apart from all the others."

YoungArts Applications Help Sheet.