General Rules

Inspirations Art Program

General Rules

Every child can submit one entry for each of the nine categories at the school level.  So every child could have nine different entries.  Each entry must be accompanied by an Inspirations Entry Form.  

The first and second place winners in each category and age group will be sent on to the regional competition.

All participants are required to fill out, in its entirety, and sign the Inspirations’ Entry Form.  Students who have not completely filled out the form will not be eligible for the program.  The school Inspirations committee should review the entry forms and allow students the opportunity to complete any entry forms prior to school level judging.  In situations where a student cannot fill out the entry form or write legibly, a parent can fill out the form and sign her/his child’s name

Each entry must be the original work of one student only.  They may not have assistance from teachers, parents, or friends unless there is a special case (such as for someone with a visual or physical disability).  Because the program is designed to encourage and recognize each student’s individual creativity, help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed.

All of the entries must be original works.  Use of copyrighted material is prohibited.  Do not borrow from copyrighted material.  Plagiarism is defined as taking and using another person’s ideas or writings or inventions as one’s own.  Plagiarized entries will be disqualified and returned to the student.

Entries must be related to the yearly theme.  There is no wrong way to interpret the theme.

Entries must comply with the General Inspirations Rules as well as the corresponding category rules.  Please refer to the individual category rules before submitting an entry to ensure compliance.  All rules may be found on our blog: charterinspirations.blogspot.com.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Inspirations advisor at your school.

ALL ENTRIES WILL BE JUDGED ACCORDING TO INTERPRETATION OF THE THEME, CREATIVITY AND ORIGINALITY, AND ARTISTIC MERIT.

WORKS NOT ACCEPTED

*Artwork that is inappropriate or contains any objectionable material.

*Reproductions and enlargements of other artwork.

*Plagiarized works.

*Paint by number or art kits.

AGE DIVISIONS

Students are divided into 4 groups based on grade.  Each group will be judged on the ability level expected at each level.  The groups are:

Kindergarten - 2^nd grade

3^rd grade - 5^th grade

6^th grade- 8^th grade

9^th grade - 12^th grade

CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

Visual Art:

*Any original flat artwork no more than 1/4” thick from the surface of the art work.  There is no size limit but if the piece advances to the region or state level then the artist’s family must accept responsibility for transporting the art work for judging and awards nights.

*Mount on a sturdy mat or paper.  DO NOT USE FRAMES (Canvas stretched over a wooden frame is not considered a frame and is acceptable).

Examples include pencil, charcoal, ink, colored pencil, pastels, chalk, crayon, serigraphs, linoleum cuts, woodcuts, computer-generated art (no clip art), vegetable prints, tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor, paint a T-shirt or other fabric, metal etching or punch work, and sand painting.  This list is not definitive.

Photography:

*Any original photographic artwork

*Mount entry on a mat, poster board, or a sturdy paper – NO FRAMES

* There is no size limit but if the piece advances to the region or state level then the artist’s family must accept responsibility for transporting the art work for judging and awards nights.

*Collage may be utilized

*No photo alterations of any kind including, but not limited to Photoshop or other photo editing software/websites

Examples include prints, black and white or color, photo gram, montage, sandwich, photo collage, and multiple exposures.  This list is not definitive.

Musical Composition:

*Any original musical composition

*Record on a CD

* No longer than 5 minutes and no shorter than 1 minute

*No notation is required, just make a recording

Examples include drums, pots and pans, piano, voice, or any instrument, including made-up instruments, are all acceptable.  This list is not definitive.

Theatre:

*Any original theatre work

*Students may or may not perform, but must do all other work: write script, direct, create optional costumes and scenery by themselves. No group effort.

*Submit a DVD, or computer disc with script. Script must be typed or legibly handwritten.  You must start the image after 10 seconds of black

*No longer than 5 minutes and no less than 1 minute

Examples include monologue, one act, storytelling and mime.  This list is not definitive.

Literature:

*Any original creation using words

*Typed or legibly handwritten on a 8 ½ by 11 paper

*No more than 2000 words

*Two copies must be submitted

*Grade-appropriate grammar and punctuation (no parental editing)

Examples: a story, poem, biography, autobiography, an interview, and an essay.  This list is not definitive.

3-D Art:

*Any original artwork greater than 1/4” thick

*No limit on size, however it must be movable for display purposes

*Submit the actual artwork and cd or disc containing photos showing all sides (include ruler or yard stick to illustrate size).

*No kits or precast are acceptable. It must be original work only

*3-D entries will only be accepted on the due date.  Bring the actual project and cd or disc of the photos.

Examples include jewelry, wind chimes, mobiles, kites, collages, dioramas, ceramics, clay sculpture, rock art, play dough, wood working, metal soldering, stained glass, junk art, mosaics, toothpicks, and popsicle sticks.  This list is not definitive.

Film/Video:

*Any original film/video/computer-generated creation with or without sound

*No longer than 5 minutes and no shorter than 1 minute

*Submit on a DVD or computer disk.  Start the image after 10 seconds of black

*The STUDENT is filming the action – the student is NOT the action.  Someone else is not filming the student doing something, i.e. a piano recital.

Examples include claymation, torn paper, animation from drawings, live action, computer generated, narrative, documentary, fiction, or nonfiction.  This list is not definitive.

Choreography/Dance:

*Any original choreographed movement performance

*There can be up to 3 performers.  Student may or may not perform, but they must do all other work:  create costumes (not required) and choreograph the dance

*Submit on a DVD.  Start the image after 10 seconds of black.

*No longer than 5 minutes and no shorter than 1 minute

Examples include ballet, clogging, modern dance, ballroom dance, or karate.  This list is not definitive.

Digital Art:

*Any original digital art work

* There is no size limit but if the piece advances to the region or state level then the artist’s family must accept responsibility for transporting the art work for judging and awards nights.

*Mount on a sturdy mat or paper.  DO NOT USE FRAMES.

Examples include photopainting, digital collage, algorithmic/fractals (completed on computer), digital painting, 3-d programs, any form of computer manipulated imagery, photos altered through computer means. This list is not definitive.

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