2026 CATEGORY CHANGES:
Conceptual, Installation & Participatory Art
Previously known as Expanded Projects
Category Description
- Interdisciplinary work that encompasses three different art forms: conceptual, installation, and participatory art. This category may include the documentation of live art, installation, research-based practices, or interactive visual art. It does not include dance, music, theater, or spoken word poetry.
- Original work in this category will explore new genres, ideas, or experimental methods that could not be represented in other categories. The evaluation of skill may include both the way the work is documented and the conceptual background of the work in addition to the work’s construction.
Examples:(including but not limited to) -- Documentation of live art, experimental video art, installation, site-specific or research-driven processes, conceptual art, social discourse, or community projects.
Special Instructions: Individual three-dimensional works that do not create an environment or are not built at room scale should be entered in the Sculpture category.
Murals should be entered into the Painting category.
Entry Requirements:
- You must upload 1-8 files that clearly present the work: .pdf, .jpg, .png, or .mpeg.
- One of these files must be a PDF of a written statement that summarizes and contextualizes the work. This statement must not include your name or biographical information because it will be viewed by the judges.
- Acknowledge contributors in the work sources section of your entry.
Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage
Previously known as Digital Art
Category Description
- Artwork created digitally and intended to exist in a digital space or images that are heavily collaged or manipulated from found image(s) (i.e., not photographs taken by the participant) to produce a new image using digital tools.
- This category is meant for drawings, paintings, and collages created using exclusively digital tools; other works created with digital tools may fit better in a different category, including, but not limited to, Comic Art, Illustration, or Graphic Design.
- Manipulated images that are derived from a photo or photos taken by the participant should be entered into the Experimental Photography category.
Examples:(including but not limited to) --Digital collages, CGI, VR, and digital painting.
Special Instructions:
- Identify the software used to create the artwork in the “List Materials” section of your application (ex: Adobe Suite programs, Sketchbook, Procreate, Corel PaintShop, Clip Studio Paint, Blender, etc.).
- Digital artwork may contain text, but entries that contain text for commercial purposes should be entered in the Graphic Design category.
- Consider entering the Conceptual, Installation & Participatory Art category if your work has a strong interactive element.
- If you are using collaged images, refer to the Copyright & Plagiarism guide.
- Digital image uploaded must be at least 300 dpi.
Entry Requirements:
- You can upload one image for each Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage entry.
Drawing
Category split from Drawing & Illustration
Category Description
- Art that is composed of marks made with dry materials on a 2D surface. Drawings include all renderings made by a manual or mechanical instrument on a surface and may include formal, realistic, and/or abstract imagery. Ink drawings that are not illustrations can be entered into this category, including those with paint, such as watercolors.
- In contrast to illustrations, drawing works prioritize the exercise and exploration of skill, technique, and the specific used medium (pencil, ink, charcoal, etc.).
- We recommend reviewing the guidelines for Illustration entries, which focus on entries that convey specific information or narratives.
Examples: (including but not limited to) -- Pencil, ink, charcoal, pastel, crayon, scratchboard, marker, ink drawings colored with paint, etc.
Special Instructions:
- Drawings copied from published photographs, the internet, or existing works should not be entered and will be disqualified. Refer to the Copyright & Plagiarism guide for more detailed information.
- Sequential illustrations depicting an evolving story should be entered in Comic Art.
- Common classroom assignments that focus on recreating other artworks, such as the Mona Lisa, do not fit our originality criteria and should not be entered.
Entry Requirements:
- You can upload one image for each Drawing entry.
Experimental Photography
New category
Category Description
- Images captured by either analog or digital camera that are then collaged, cloned, layered, merged, distorted, or heavily manipulated either physically or digitally. This category also includes images captured via experimental methods (including, but not limited to, cyanotype photographic images, pinhole camera, etc.)
Examples: (including but not limited to) --
- Alteration of negatives to create a new image (burning, scratching, layering, collaging, etc.).
- Creating layouts of juxtaposed multiple images, or that include text as part of the image.
- Any alteration in Photoshop (or similar programs) that is outside simple adjustments in image tone, contrast, brightness, etc., should be entered to this category (i.e., warped images, dramatically colored images, images which contain cloned aspects or heavy use of filters, etc.).
Special Instructions:
- Images where the photograph is physically printed and cut-up and woven by the participant should be entered in the Mixed Media category.
- Identify the type of photographic techniques used in the “List Materials” section of your entry.
Entry Requirements:
- You can upload one image for each Experimental Photography entry.
Graphic Design
New category
Category Description
- Art created for commercial or applied purposes. This includes graphic design work that has a defined use such as advertising or communications.
Examples:(including but not limited to) -- Magazine layouts, book covers, greeting cards, fonts, letterhead, business cards, calendars, or signage.
Special Instructions:
- Work that is based off preexisting brands is discouraged. If your work references preexisting brands, your design must represent a new, original idea or contribute added value to the source material according to our Copyright & Plagiarism guidelines.
Entry Requirements:
- You can upload up to four images of your piece. We strongly encourage you to upload a variety of images that showcase the scale and details of your work and include pictures from different angles.
Illustration
Category split from Drawing & Illustration
Category Description
- An image that conveys a piece of information or describes and informs about a specific scene, place, narrative or character. Illustrations can be created from a variety of mediums, including both mechanical and digital techniques.
- In contrast to drawings, illustrations attempt to convey a story, often in a single frame. Illustration entries prioritize a message, often narrative or informational, over demonstrations of technical skill
Examples: (including but not limited to) -- Picture book illustrations, concept art, magazine/publication illustrations, character studies.
Special Instructions:
- Illustrations that directly depict political or social commentary should be entered to the Editorial Cartoon category.
- Illustrations that are done in multiple frames, or panels, and depict a narrative over time should be entered to the Comic Art category.
- Please use your best judgment when determining if a work should be entered as an Illustration or into another category such as Digital Painting, Drawing, & Collage, Drawing, or Painting.
Entry Requirements:
- You can upload one image for each Illustration entry.
Read the submission category descriptions to confirm that you are
submitting your artwork to the appropriate category.