Youth Art Competition Evaluation Survey

Be Inspired

April 11–15, 2011, in Houston, Texas, USA, experts from around the world will gather at the International Academy of Astronautics Humans in Space Symposium to examine current human space exploration knowledge, plan future human space flight goals, and discuss working together to create the “Next Golden Age of Human Space Flight.”

Your generation will be witnessing, shaping, and participating in this “Next Golden Age”. We invite you to address the question "What is the future of human space exploration and why is it important" through visual, literary, musical, or digital art.

Be Creative

If you are 10–17 years old you can participate in this art competition by reviewing the competition guidelines, learning what we currently know about human space exploration, using this knowledge to artistically express yourself, and submitting your art and other entry materials.To be judged, your musical, literary, visual or video submission must be received in Houston by midnight (Central Time) December 3, 2010.

Be Heard

The competition winners will receive a certificate of achievement and other prizes.  The winning art will be displayed in the online gallery for the world to see and also on-site at the Humans in Space Symposium where current human space exploration leaders, including astronauts and scientists, will see what you have to say. 

Questions? 
You may contact us at info@dsls.usra.edu
Please include “HIS Youth Art Competition” in subject line.

Printable Competition Flyer in English

Printable Competition Flyer in Russian

Printable Competition Flyer in Spanish

Competition Guidelines and Rules

Due Dates

All art submissions must initially be electronic, including digital photos of 2 dimensional (2D) and 3 dimensional (3D) visual art. Artists are permitted to submit up to 3 entries total in the same or different art categories, but each item must be submitted separately, with a complete set of entry information included. Teams of up to 5 youth may submit a musical or video entry, using the same process as a single artist, but the entry must include a justification of why a team of people was needed to create the art. This justification should be submitted as part of the artists' statement of originality. Forms and electronic versions of art must be received by or before midnight US Central Standard Time on December 3, 2010 for musical, visual, literary or video entries. Please make sure that your name is NOT visible on the electronic version of the submitted art, but IS clearly stated on the entry form

Eligibility

Art from two artist age-group categories will be judged separately: ages 10–13 years and 14–17 years.

Individuals must meet both of the following criteria to be eligible to enter the youth art competition:

• Must be 10 to 17 years of age during any portion of the competiton entry window of May 7–December 3, 2010 (i.e. born on or after May 8, 1992)
• Not enrolled in a university or other institution of higher learning during the 2009–2010 academic year (i.e. August 2009–June 2010)

Art Categories for Entry

a) Two-Dimensional (2D) Visual Art Category Guidelines

Only original 2D visual artwork (defined as largely flat images produced via single or multiple media, such as, paintings, drawings, etc.) can be entered in the competition, and initial submissions are only digital images of the physical art. These digital images should be 300 dpi images (.jpg, .bmp, .gif, .png, .tif) and sized to fit on about a 20 inch (50.8 cm) monitor screen. One digital image per 2D entry is permitted while the maximum file size allowed is 15 MB. File sizes will vary depending on the size of the original artwork and the media used to create it.

Some submitters may be asked to provide a higher resolution image for display of artwork at the Symposium. In addition, visual art submitters should be prepared to send their original artwork to the Symposium hosts, if they make the finalist judging round.  In anticipation of possibly making the finalist round of judging, artists should bear in mind that an extremely large painting may be difficult and expensive to ship and thus they may opt to make the painting no larger than what would fit into a 24x36x4 inch (roughly 61x92x11 cm) box. Do NOT send original art unless you are specifically asked to do so.

ATTENTION SEQUENTIAL ARTISTS:
Artists who wish to submit sequential art (such as graphic novels, comic strips, manga, etc.) should follow the Guidelines for the Two Dimensional (2D) Visual Art Category. The sequential art images should be embedded and/or scanned and placed in sequence into a single, multi-paged document or file (such as a Microsoft Word document or Powerpoint file). The file should be converted or saved as an Adobe PDF file to allow for the series of pages to be submitted as a single file through the online entry system.

A maximum of eight (8) pages are allowed for a sequential art entry. If an entry exceeds this page limit, only the first eight (8) pages will be scored. Please be sure to embed all fonts in the PDF file to avoid potential software compatibility issues. If the PDF file exceeds the maximum size of 15MB, please try using the Adobe PDF Setting for "Smallest File Size" which is optimized to generate the smallest PDF file size possible.

If you have questions about whether a desired alternative file format may be used, please contact the Symposium Organizers before submitting your entry.

b) Three-Dimensional (3D) Visual Art Category Guidelines

Only original 3D visual artwork (defined as sculpture, using single or multiple materials) can be entered in the competition, and initial submissions are only digital images of the physical art. These digital images should be 300 dpi images (.jpg, .bmp, .gif, .png, .tif) and sized to fit on about a 20 inch (50.8 cm) monitor screen; up to 3 digital images of the best views of 3D art are permitted. File sizes will vary depending on the size of the original artwork and the media used to create it.

Some submitters may be asked to provide a higher resolution image for display of artwork at the Symposium.  In addition, visual art submitters should be prepared to send their original artwork to the Symposium hosts, if they make the finalist judging round.  In anticipation of possibly making the finalist round of judging, artists should bear in mind that an extremely large or fragile sculpture may be difficult and expensive to ship and thus they may opt to make the sculpture no larger than about 18 inches (46 cm) and 20 pounds (9.1 kg) to avoid the high shipping costs. Do NOT send original art unless you are specifically asked to do so.

c) Poetry Categories Guidelines

Only original poetry can be entered into the competition.  Poetry should be submitted in 12 point Arial, New Times Roman or Courier font.  It should be written in English, no more than approximately 40 lines, and submitted electronically as a Word document, pdf, or text file. (.doc, .docx, .txt, .rtf, .pdf)

d) Prose (Short Story and Essay) Categories Guidelines

Only original short stories and essays can be entered into the competition. Prose should be submitted in 12 point Arial, New Times Roman or Courier font.  It should be written in English and can be either an essay (maximum 1000 words) or short story (maximum 3000 words) submitted electronically as a Word document, pdf, or text file. (.doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt, .rtf)

e) Digital Video Guidelines

Digital video clips must be less than 3 minutes in length, no larger than 1 GB in size, and limited to file formats that can be read by standard computer software [for example, .MPG/.MPEG, .MOV/.QT (QuickTime Video), .AVI, .WMV (Windows Media Video) .mp4]. If there is any question about whether a desired format can be used, please contact the Symposium organizers before submitting a video. Video can be of any type, including animation, claymation, narrative, documentary, experimental, etc. to showcase creativity, but must be in English or subtitled in English. Video that is less than 30 MB in size can be submitted on the Online Entry Form (see “How to Enter” page). Video files larger than 30 MB can be uploaded to YouTube, and the YouTube link to the submitted video should be provided on the Online Entry Form. Please keep all raw formats of your video files or any other information that might be needed later in order to prepare your video submission for display at the Symposium, if selected.

Only original video can be entered into the competition. Drawings, if used in the video, should preferably be original, but if pre-drawn clip art is used, youth artists must use only copyright-free art or obtain written permission to use copyrighted art. Please keep track of how any clip art was obtained, so that the source of the clip art may be provided if a video is selected for display at the Symposium. Last names of people in a submitted video should not be mentioned, and permission should be obtained for all persons appearing in the video. Credit must also be given to any software used in the creation of the video.

Background music in a video can be originally composed, “copyright-free” music (also sometimes called “royalty-free”), or music for which there is a copyright but ONLY if you have permission from the music publisher and the record company to use it. Copyright-free music can be found on the internet (sometimes for a cost) or it can be added to a video uploaded to YouTube using the “audioswap” function [see http://www.youtube.com/audioswap_main]. Please keep track of how any background music was obtained, so that the source of the music can be provided if a video is selected for display at the Symposium.

f) Musical Composition Guidelines

Only original musical compositions will be accepted. Borrowing from copyrighted material is not allowed. In addition, upon submission, music performers (if any) and any software used to compose the work must be credited. Please keep all raw formats of your files or any other information that might be needed later in order to prepare your submission for display at the Symposium, if selected. 

Musical compositions of two types may be submitted: 

1. Compositions that are no longer than 5 minutes and use any instruments chosen by the composer may be submitted.  These types of compositions can be provided as an audio file that was generated either by recording from a live performance or synthetically by Sybillius™ or Garageband™, etc. Acceptable file types include .mp3, .wav, .wma, .mid (max of 30 MB)

OR

2. Compositions that use only “standard orchestral instruments”, are suitable for performance by talented high school-aged performers, and are no longer than 10 minutes maximum (shorter is just fine too) may also be submitted. If any adult help has been used in composing this type of music, please acknowledge who helped you and in what way in your Artist Statement of Originality. Compositions of this type must be submitted both as an audio file (.mp3, .wav, .wma, .mid (max 30 MB)), created via either a recording of a live performance or a synthetic version generated by Sybillius™or Garageband™, etc. type software AND also as sheet music in a legible electronic file. (.mus, .sib, .pdf, .doc, .docx).

If you have a question about whether a desired alternative file format can be used, please contact the Symposium Organizers before submitting a composition.

Disqualifications

1) Falsification of any information on the forms submitted, including use of copyrighted material without permission.
2) Use of profanity, nudity not representing the human body in a positive way, substance abuse, or violent images.

Judging Criteria

The panel of contest judges will be a mixture of scientists and artists from around the world. Judges will be instructed to award maximum points (100) to art showing creativity, skill, demonstration of meaning relevant to expressing “What is the future of human space exploration and why is it important?”, etc. BONUS points (5) will be awarded if there is also no obvious breaking of scientific principles. The bonus indicates that the competition organizers prefer that artists present a possible scenario about the future of human spaceflight (such as, NOT showing a human breathing without wearing a helmet when in an environment with no atmosphere, showing objects on the Moon or another massive extraterrestrial body being completely weightless, having things in a vacuum making sound, showing ships in space making banked turns, showing ships in space changing speed or direction without firing a rocket, etc.). Specific art categories may have further requirements and criteria for judging (see more details below under “Specific Detailed Criteria for Judging Each Art Category”.) Please note that only quality submissions will be potential winners.

Specific Detailed Criteria for Judging Each Art Category

1. Visual Art

• Aesthetics (shapes, colors, textures, flow, proportions, composition, etc.) [20 points]
• Skill (Are knowledge of the media or principles of art demonstrated?) [20 points]
• Inherent meaning (What is the story or statement?) [20 points]
• Creativity (Is the artwork creative and original?) [20 points]
• Fulfilled intent (Does it meet the Humans in Space Art Competition objective to express something about: “What is the future of human space exploration and why is it important?”) [20 points]
• Bonus: no breach of obvious scientific principles [5 points maximum extra]

2. Literary Art

• Aesthetics [20 points]
  Poetry (Consider imagery, speaker, occasion, and tone.)
  Short Story [Consider plot (structure of action), characters, point of view, setting (time and place), symbolism/imagery, and tone.]
  Essay (Consider purpose, clarity, and tone.)
• Mechanics (language and style, structure and organization, grammar, spelling, and punctuation) [20 points]
• Inherent meaning [20 points]
  Poetry (What is the central purpose of the poem? Is this purpose realized? By what means is the purpose realized?)
  Short Story (Is the story well structured to accomplish its central purpose? Are technique and subject matter fused into a meaningful whole? What is the impact on the reader?)
  Essay (What is the central information or opinion the essay attempts to convey? Is the information conveyed in an effective, comprehensive way?)
• Creativity (Is the written work creative and original?) [20 points]
• Fulfilled intent (Does it meet the Humans in Space Art Competition objective to express something about: “What is the future of human space exploration and why is it important?” 20 points]
• Bonus: no breach of obvious scientific principles [5 points maximum extra]

3. Music Composition

• Aesthetics (“Is it music?” How artistic, enjoyable or beautiful is the work?) [30 points]
• Mechanics (Demonstrates proper use of time signatures, notes, chords, stems, rhythm, etc.) [20 points]
• Structure (Demonstrates traditional and/or inventive use of melody, harmony, choice of instruments, and form.) [20 points]
• Creativity (Is the music creative and original?) [20 points]
• Fulfilled Intent (Is the Humans in Space theme apparent in the work?) [10 points]

4. Digital Video

• Production Quality (Aesthetics and more) (visual aesthetics; audio appropriate and effective; lighting appropriate and of quality; good use of actors, props, location) [20 points]
• Technical Skill (camera operation, video editing) [20 points]
• Final Product (Intended meaning and more) (story flow; cohesiveness; overall video quality; communication of message, special effects, the “wow” factor) [20 points]
• Creativity (Is the video creative and original?) [20 points]
• Fulfilled Intent (Does it meet the Humans in Space Art Competition objective to express something about: “What is the future of human space exploration and why is it important?”)[20 points]
• Bonus: no breach of obvious scientific principles [5 points maximum extra]

Questions? 
You may contact us at info@dsls.usra.edu
Please include “HIS Youth Art Competition” in subject line.

What We Know About Human Space Flight Today

Travel in space exposes the human body to a very different environment from that on Earth.  Soon, many more people than ever before will be making brief recreational and scientific flights into suborbital space just above Earth’s atmosphere, while nations around the world also plan for longer manned trips deeper into space to explore and utilize the Earth’s moon, asteroids, or even other planets and their moons. These opportunities mean that we need to learn more about how the human body responds to the space flight environment so that we can anticipate health problems, both during flight and upon return to Earth.  We also need to understand how to design vehicles, habitats and spacesuits and how to create and train teams of people to encourage the success of these human missions into space.

We’ve known that the body of the astronaut changes in multiple, complex ways during space flight since the early days of space travel, and much more will be learned over the next 10 years as we continue to observe astronauts living and working on the International Space Station, which is currently orbiting Earth. Soon after arriving in space, the human sensory-motor system (which provides our balance and sense of spatial orientation) and cardiovascular system (the heart and blood vessels) alter to accommodate the new sensations and the head ward fluid shift that occurs in the weightless environment; thus the astronaut can feel dizzy and motion sick and have head congestion.  As the flight gets longer, bones and muscles can get weaker, because they are no longer being exercised by supporting the body’s weight. The immune system (which helps your body fight off infection) also weakens, making astronauts more likely to get sick if they are exposed to a virus or bacteria.  Exposure to high levels of radiation in space could lead to a higher risk of getting cancer, especially after a long flight, or radiation sickness during even a short flight.  In addition, altered light and dark cycles as you orbit the Earth or another planet, and altered sleep patterns due to the strange new environment, can cause sleep deprivation, which, coupled with the stress associated with being far from Earth, busy schedules, confined conditions, and the small number of people one interacts with day after day, can lead to errors and changes in behavior.  Some of the physical and behavioral changes occurring during space flight may also cause further difficulties upon return to Earth. 

We already have many countermeasures (solutions to the problems) to help minimize the hazards of spaceflight to the human being, such as some remote medical care; a nutrition and exercise program; thoughtfully-designed vehicles, spacesuits, mission plans and tasks; training before spaceflight; Earth-space communications systems; and in flight entertainment. Unfortunately, we still do not clearly understand how and when space affects the human body or the long-term effects of space flight on human health after mission completion. Without that understanding, it is difficult to find the most effective countermeasures to the hazards of human spaceflight and the methods for medical care in the event of an accident or other in flight medical emergency. Thus, future human exploration of space to new destinations and for new purposes will require that we learn about the space environment, the effect space has on the human body, and new vehicles and equipment to allow us to go there.  

Past human space exploration has influenced the thinking of scientists, politicians, artists and the general public and has lead to new discoveries and products.  Now it is time to ask you — What is the future of human space exploration and why is it important?

To learn more about human spaceflight mission ideas, what happens to the human body in space or what needs to be done to encourage the success of a manned space mission, please explore the following links to further information:

Please note that the information summarized above and the website links below provide a good starting point for youth to get background information about human space flight. We encourage any youth to read and explore this information and to identify additional books, articles or electronic information on their own to seek inspiration for their entry to the youth art competition.

General information about space and humans in space

NASA Student Information
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) student information by various age groups. Contains links to all sorts of information such as: short encyclopedia-like articles on various space-related topics (including age-appropriate index listings of links to many other topics), cool photos, videos, podcasts (including NASA EDGE), eClips and more! [Note: you can also search YouTube for a “NASA eClip” on your favorite subject.]

European Space Agency
European Space Agency (ESA) website with human spaceflight and exploration information.  In particular, click on “education” and then check out the “secondary level” (or the “primary level”) tab, especially “ISS education kit on the web” and “lessons online”!

JAXA
Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) (in Japanese and English) Human Spaceflight link. Check out the information for students and kids!

Canadian Space Agency
Canadian Space Agency (CSA) (in French and English) website. Some of this site is under construction but will have age-specific information available for students soon; also has images and “space in my daily life” and more!

NASA Life Sciences Data Archive
NASA Life Sciences Data Archive (LSDA) youth site. Lots of information about living in space, NASA “brain bites”, solar system exploration, astronaut selection, etc.

How Research Affects Us
How space exploration improves our quality of life and benefits our economy.

Focus solely on humans in space

Living in Space
Space food, wear, work and fun!

Human Physiology in Space
An online book from the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) about how the human body changes in space.

Human Research Program's "How Astronauts are Affected by Space Exploration"
An overview of the various ways that space affects different parts of the body with summaries and some cool videos.

Human Research Program Evidence Book
NASA Human Research Program “Evidence” book website: written for scientists to explain in detail the types of risks to the human during space exploration missions. Start with the summaries and introductions and then leaf through the reports if you want a really detailed understanding.

Living Aloft
All about what it takes to live in space for extended periods of time.

Working on the Moon
Apollo experiences with introductions and some technical details about living and working on the moon, including information related to sleep.

Space analogs used to study effects of cramped, extreme and isolated environments on the human and how to best live and work under such conditions

Haughton-Mars Project
Haughton-Mars Project in Haughton Crater on remote Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada: navigation challenges are similar to those that crews of future human exploration missions will face on the moon and Mars.

NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO)
NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) in Key Largo, Florida: living in Aquarius (a submarine) for up to three weeks to simulate some special conditions of life aboard the International Space Station.

British Antarctic Survey
British Antarctic survey of Antarctica, including diaries of living in Antarctica.

United States Antarctic Program
Great photos and webcams.

Concordia Base
(In Italian, with some English narration) Italian and French Concordia Station in Antarctica, with interesting videos.

ESA and Institute of Biomedical Problems and work and sleep
European Space Agency Russian Institute for Biomedical Problems chamber study planned with 6 people in a small space lasting 500 days. Focus of research includes ability to worksleep under stressful conditions as a team in isolation from the rest of the world.

More inspiring photos and videos

NASA Images
Searchable images from NASA that can be downloaded and frequently used copyright-free (check exact guidelines on website to be sure). 

Astronomy Picture of the Day
Universities Space Research Association (USRA) astronomy picture of the day!

We Choose the Moon
A cool animated video that looks real.

Questions? 
You may contact us at info@dsls.usra.edu
Please include “HIS Youth Art Competition” in the subject line.

How to Enter

Entry Deadline: Midnight Central Time, December 3, 2010 for musical, literary, visual and video entries.

Step 1: Obtain the following documents and files which are required to complete and submit the Online Entry Form:

• Adult Sponsor Form
  Artists must identify a parent, guardian or teacher to be their adult sponsor.  Artists should first download the Adult Sponsor Form. Then, the adult sponsor should review the information on the sponsor form, complete it and sign it. 

  The artist should upload the completed and signed Adult Sponsor Form to the Online Entry Form (as a scanned file or as an electronically-signed PDF file).  If this is not possible, the completed form may be faxed or mailed to USRA.  

  • Postal Address:   USRA, Attn:  HIS Youth Art Competition, 3600 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX 77058
  • Fax to USRA:  1-281-486-2125  Attn:  HIS Youth Art Competition
  
  The Adult Sponsor is responsible for reviewing the Competition Guidelines with the artist, providing a completed and signed Adult Sponsor Form for the artist’s entry, and reviewing the artist’s Online Entry Form at the time the artist submits his/her competition entry.

 

• Statement of Originality
  The youth artist should prepare a statement of what inspired his or her art and what he or she is trying to say with the art in 400 words or less.  Please be sure to include the artist’s name and the title of the art entry in this Statement of Originality.  Word documents (.doc, .docx), text files (.txt, .rtf), and Acrobat PDF files are acceptable formats for this document. The youth artist will be required to upload his/her Statement of Originality to the Online Entry Form.

• Art Submission
  The artist will upload appropriate electronic files of his/her art submission as described in the Competition Guidelines. The following file type(s) are acceptable, depending on the type of art that will be submitted to the competition:

   

  • 2D Visual Art file(s) (.jpg, .bmp, .gif, .png, .tif, .pdf)
  • 3D Visual Art file(s) (.jpg, .bmp, .gif, .png, .tif, pdf)
  • Poetry/Prose file (.doc, .pdf, .txt, .rtf)
  • Music Composition — Audio Only file (.mp3, .wav, .wma, .mid)
  • Music Composition and Sheet Music,— Audio file (mp3, .wav, .wma, .mid) and Sheet Music file (.mus, .sib, .pdf, .doc, .pdf)
  • Digital Video file
    a) Video files should be uploaded to the YouTube website, and the YouTube link to the submitted video should be included on the Online Entry Form. (Preferred method for digital video submission)
    
    You can learn a little about using YouTube HERE:
    Basic instructions are also provided below.
    
    To upload your video to YouTube:
    • Go to www.YouTube.com
    • Click “Upload”
    • Log in (first obtain a YouTube username and password if you do not already have one)
      Follow all instructions for upload:
      • DO select “view publicly” - so the competition organizers and judges are able to view the video.
      • Do NOT allow comments, comment voting, video responses, video rating, or external sites embedding in the video – so the video will remain clear if selected for HIS Symposium display purposes.
      • DO include “2011 Humans in Space Symposium Youth Art Competition” as one of the tag words for the video  - so that all the HIS Youth Art Competition videos can be easily identified.
      • You will need to provide the link to your YouTube video on your Entry Form!

    b) Video files that are less than 30 MB in size can be uploaded directly to the Online Entry Form (.mpg, .mov, .avi, .wmv, .mp4)

    c) If it is not possible to upload the art entry video file onto YouTube or as a direct upload onto the Online Entry Form that is less than 30 MB, it may be mailed on a CD/DVD to:

                   USRA
                   Attn: HIS Youth Art Competition
                   3600 Bay Area Blvd.
                   Houston, TX  77058

Step 2:  Complete the Online Entry Form:

• NOTE: Have all the necessary documents ready prior to accessing the Online Entry Form (Step 1) and have them available as you fill out the Online Entry Form.
• Complete each field on the Online Entry Form. Note: An asterisk (*) indicates a required field.  Be sure to read and check the two boxes providing your electronic signature and indicating agreement to the “Artist’s Release of Exclusive Rights to Submitted Art and Release of Liability and Indemnity” and all Terms and Conditions before proceeding to the next page of the Online Entry Form.
• Upload the correct required files for the Adult Sponsor Form, Artist’s Statement of Originality, and the art itself. Note: Once an application form is submitted with attached files, no document substitutions are accepted by the online entry form system.
• Only COMPLETE ENTRIES received
• before the deadline of midnight Central Time (Houston time zone) on December 3, 2010 for musical, visual, literary and video artwork will be considered.

 

Step 3:  Await confirmation that the competition entry has been received.  When the Online Entry Form is submitted, the system will generate and assign a four-digit unique identifier for the competition entry and provide that identification number in the e-mail confirmation sent to the artist’s e-mail address.  Please make a notation of the Identification Number for your entry and refer to that ID number when communicating with the competition organizers.

A competition staff member will perform an initial audit of the files submitted for each art entry to verify that they meet the competition guidelines.  A separate e-mail notification will be sent to the artist when all required items are received and it is confirmed that the entry is complete and ready for the judging phase of the competition.

As some of the documents or files required for entry in the competition may be faxed or mailed, please allow 10-15 business days to receive final confirmation.

Call for Judges

Are you interested in serving as a judge for the Youth Art Competition?  If so, please send an e-mail to INFO@dsls.usra.edu with “HIS Youth Art Competition—Judge Application” in the subject line. The e-mail should contain all of the information below:

• Full Name
• Age
• Job Title
• Affiliation / Institution
• Country of Residence
• E-mail Address
• Phone Number
• Art Category(ies) you prefer to judge:
  • Visual (Paintings/Sculpture)
  • Literary (Poetry/Prose)
  • Music Compositions
  • Digital Video

Competition judges must be at least 25 years of age. All artist entry materials and instructions for judges will be distributed in electronic format through a password-protected section  on the competition web site. Judges most likely will need high-speed internet connectivity to access and download the entry materials assigned to them for scoring.

Potential judges will be contacted shortly after the entry deadline when the volume and type of art submissions have been determined.

Online Gallery

Art Competition Catalog

Winning Art

What is the future of human space flight,
and why is it important?

• Music
• Literary
• Video
• 2D and 3D Visual
• Inspiration Peace Prizes (see Art Competition Catalog for description of this special award)

Photos of Art Competition Winners Visiting on Symposium Opening Day

HIS International Youth Art Competition
Frequently Asked Questions

Question: I am turning 18 soon; can I still enter the competition?
Answer: Individuals must meet both of the following criteria to be eligible to enter the youth art competition:

• Must be 10 to 17 years of age during any portion of the competition entry window of May 7–November 1, 2010 (i.e. born on or after May 8, 1992)
• Not enrolled in a university or other institution of higher learning during the 2009–2010 academic year (i.e. August 2009–June 2010)

Question: How do I enter?
Answer: To enter, complete a web-based entry form and attach/upload electronic files (i.e. documents, audio files, graphic files) to the web form as required for the specific art category.

For detailed information on the process for entering the competition, please refer to the "How to Enter" and "Guidelines" section on the art competition web site at www.humansinspaceart.org or http://www.dsls.usra.edu/meetings/IAA/artContest/.

Question: Will there be winners from each art category and both age groups within that category? Or will there just be two winners over all?
Answer: There will be winners selected in every category (in which entries are received) for both age groups. So there could be a total of 14 winners selected:

• 2D visual: 10–13 year old winner & 14–17 year old winner
• 3D visual: 10–13 year old winner & 14–17 year old winner
• Poetry: 10–13 year old winner & 14–17 year old winner
• Prose: 10–13 year old winner & 14–17 year old winner
• Musical Composition (audio only):  10–13 year old winner & 14–17 year old winner
• Musical Composition (audio and sheet music):  10–13 year old winner & 14–17 year old winner
• Digital Video: 10–13 year old winner & 14–17 year old winner

Question: What is the content of the art entries supposed to be?
Answer: The purpose of the competition is to encourage today's young people to learn about human space travel and express their vision of the future of human space exploration through artistic creation. Specifically, they should address "What is the future of human space exploration and why is it important?" The HIS symposium theme in 2011 is "Integration and Cooperation in the Next Golden Age of Human Space Flight" and we believe the art competition will bring the vision and ideas of today's youth from around the world to the human space exploration leaders that will attend the symposium.

Question: We want to produce a music video, which guidelines should we follow?
Answer: A music video would follow the digital video guidelines and submission process as the file type to be submitted is specific to digital videos. The file types accepted for musical compositions are limited to audio and sheet music file types and thus do not include the video option.

Multiple entries from the same person/group are allowed, so if the music for the video is the students' original creation, and he/she would also like it judged as a musical composition entry, he/she could follow the musical composition guidelines and submit the music as a separate entry to the music video. If the music is submitted in this matter, the musical composition entry could be slightly longer than a video; depending on whether the student creates the piece as an Audio Only Entry (5 minute maximum) or an Audio and Sheet Music Entry (10 minute maximum).

Question: What about dance entries? Would this fall into the "Digital Video" section? Answer: Yes. Dance entries should be submitted as a digital video entry.

Question: Do we need to pre-register to participate in the competition? Do we register now or after the artist has finished the work for the contest?
Answer: There is no pre-registration process. Artists enter the competition through the online entry system by the posted deadline of 11:59 US Central Time December 1, 2010. Artists will submit all the required entry items at one time using the online entry form and attaching and uploading several electronic files or scanned documents to that web form.

Complete entry instructions are available on the program website at http://www.humansinspaceart.org or http://www.dsls.usra.edu/meetings/IAA/artContest/. The guidelines for the art categories are also available online and describe the criteria to be followed for each art category.

Question: Can an adult sponsor more than one participant?
Answer: Yes, an adult can sponsor multiple participants. The adult sponsor is responsible for reviewing the Competition Guidelines with the artist, providing a completed and signed Adult Sponsor Form for the artist's entry, and reviewing the artist's Online Entry Form at the time the artist submits his/her competition entry. As long as the adult sponsor provides this support to all the artists he/she is sponsoring, there is no limit on the number of artists that may be sponsored by a single person.

Question: May I submit photographs to the competition?
Answer: Yes. Original photography is an acceptable art form for entry in the 2D visual art category. If it is not digital photography, simply scan the photo and upload that scanned image to the online entry form. Please note that written permission must be received from all persons included in the photograph. If you plan to use photographs taken by other artists in the creation of your art, you must have permission from the original artist(s) if the photo is not in the public domain and therefore may be subject to copyright laws.