Frequently Asked Questions:
For help uploading your files, click here. To contact us, first read through this FAQ for answers to your questions. If this doesn't help, our contact information is below.
Q: What's this open call all about?
A: This competition is about your story, your images and the power they hold. The self-portrait transcends medium, style and period, existing in the vast space between the personal and prophetic. Everyone who enters the contest will be exposed to a huge, international audience of people interested in art and design. You will also get a special "Thank You" package with discounts and products to help further your career. The top selected artists and designers will win the grand prize package.
Q: What do you consider a self-portrait?
We cannot tell you what is or is not your self-portrait. A reflection of your own image would be an easy "yes". But does your work fall outside those bounds? We want to see it. We are looking for exciting, engaging & innovative work that is an expression of your self. We are looking for your likeness as much as we are looking for your interpretation of self-portraiture.
"Every person's work, whether it be literature or music or pictures or anything else, is always a portrait of themself."- Samuel Butler
Q: What's the Grand Prize Package?
A: Our top selected artist will win: an Art-Star reception in New York City, international publicity, a feature in 3rd Ward Magazine AND your choice of either six months of free living in New York City OR $7007 cash.
Q: What is the deadline for entry?
A: All submissions must be in by 11:59pm January 14th, 2010.
Q: What type of Art do you accept?
A: Anything and everything. Self-portraits are accepted in all mediums, including: Fine Art, Painting, Sculpting, Drawing, Installation, Print Making, Graphic Design, Glass, Book Arts, Performance, Video Art, Street Art/Graffiti, Photography, Tattoo Art.
Q: What is the submission fee?
A: The fee is $10 per image. With the support of sponsors we have set our submission fee at half what most other competitions ask. The submission fee supports the running of this contest, the prizes and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the non-profit FreeArtsNYC, an organization helping at-risk youth with Art & Mentoring programs.
Q: Can I submit work if I live outside of New York?
A: Yes. Artists Wanted accepts submissions from all over the world.
Q: Who owns the work/copyrights after it is submitted?
A: You do, of course. The folks behind this site are just a few artists from Brooklyn trying to make real opportunities for others like us from around the world. We are not business people and have no intention of owning your work. Long story short, everything you submit is yours.
Outside the main prize we look for unique opportunities for every artist who submits work into our system. We have developed an incredible network of media/gallerists/buyers and we want to put that to work for you. So far we have gotten artists international media attention, gallery shows and sales. We want to be connectors and to put our connections to work for you.
Q. Do you take commissions on any work that you help me sell?
A. Nope. Our open calls are only supported by sponsorship and the submission fee. If you sell your work from exposure you got through our site, you keep everything you make. It's all yours.
Q: Can I submit a hard copy of my work? Can I mail in a CD of my work?
A: No. Submissions are only accepted online.
Q: How many images can I submit?
A: You can submit up to 10 images per portfolio. You can submit as many portfolios as you like.
Q: Who is eligible? Do I need to have shown work publicly?
A: Everyone is eligible. We accept work from artists who have had public shows and those who remain undiscovered. We aren't interested in your work history; we are only interested in the quality of work you are producing now.
Q: Will public votes increase my chances of winning?
A: The public will rank portfolios, the person with the highest rated portfolio will receive the the People's Choice Award sponsored by Gawker Artists. The People's Choice winner will receive $1,000 cash and publicity across the Gawker network, exposing your work to hundreds of thousands of viewers.
Q: What's the People's Choice Award?
A: The People's Choice winner will receive $1,000 cash, an Art-Star reception in New York City, and publicity across the Gawker network, exposing your work to hundreds of thousands of viewers.
Q: When is the decision made?
A: The winner will be announced in February, 2010.
Q: How can I contact you if I have further questions?
A: Feel free to e-mail us anytime at info@artistswanted.org.