The iconic Jamaica Visuals Arts Competition and Exhibition, which started over 50 years ago as the National Fine Arts and the National Photography Competitions, will no longer be accepting entries for the 2019 installment as of today, Friday, June 14. Organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an Agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, the competition, as of 2018, separates Youth and Adult age groups, a process which alternates each year.
Having prioritized adult entries in 2018, the 2019 competition will now focus on youth.
“Not only are we focusing on youth entries, we are also looking for works done by youths with no adult interference. After all, that is the essence of restructuring the competition in the first place. So youths, like adults, have an opportunity to express themselves fully in their own right.” said Mrs. Sana Rose-Savage, Visual Arts Development Specialist at the JCDC.
Mrs. Rose-Savage went on to say that she is expecting to see works that express the raw talents of young artists in their various disciplines, whether that be the visual arts, photography,or sculpting, among others.
She added, “We are also interested in works that combine materials and elements of design without the aim of merely conveying a traditional sort of beauty. Or displaying images that comfortably fit the proverbial standards of what is considered aesthetically pleasing. If you believe you are a young artist between the ages of 6 – 18, then please get the process started before the day is out. We would love to see your work!”
Constantly looking for new ways to make the competition grander, while remaining accessible to the public, Mrs. Rose-Savage mentioned also that the 2019 competition is seeking to refine the Jamaica Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition, both as a contest and a seamless experience for entrants.
The competition now offers a new entry process wherein artists have the option of submitting digital entries in any parish for prejudging, so long as it is within the submission period. There are also two entry forms available in the form of an electronic PDF file, as well as the printed version.
Entry fees have also been revised. The non-refundable entry fee is now charged per entry. Digital submissions, specifically, are now $100.00 per entry. Entrants also have the option of using the JCDC Artwork Photography Service which comes at a cost of $300.00 per entry.
Entrants wishing to use the latter service must submit their entry form, fee and actual artworks to any of the Parish Offices. Arrangements will be made on the part of the JCDC to photograph the respective works after the submission period ends. For Kingston & St. Andrew, the photography service will be available on spot at the Jamaica Conference Centre.
