Submit Art

Artists, professionals, amateurs, students – everyone can participate. National and international submissions are encouraged. There is no submission or entry fee and there is no limit on the number of submissions.

There is no restriction on entering art which has been submitted to previous competitions.

You may not submit art or quotations to our annual competitions through this website or any related website unless you are 13 years old or over. Your submission to our annual competitions through our website or any related website indicates confirmation that you are at least 13 years old.  If you are under the age of 13, you may still enter your art or quotation by submitting it through the mail.  Please click one of the following to links to learn how to submit your art or quotation by mail.

No.

A total of $3,000 (US) will be presented in the form of three separate awards - $1,000 each for “Best-in-Show Adult;” “Best-in-Show Student;” and the “People’s Choice.” Both “Best-in-Show” awards will be granted by a three-judge panel of art professionals. The “People’s Choice” award will be determined by visitors to the exhibit.

All entries must be completed and submitted online OR postmarked no later than midnight (Pacific Standard Time) on October 15, 2018.

Final selections will be chosen based on artistic excellence and originality in the reflection of our theme “enriching lives through diversity and inclusion.” This may include, by way of suggestion only, any one or more of the following: appearance; racial differences; physical or mental impairment; language, religious or cultural differences; environmental stewardship; social economic status; sexual orientation or identity; gender identity, positive attitude; inclusiveness; acceptance; taunting, bullying and confrontation; human rights and equality; understanding and kindness; empowerment or any other topic which you believe furthers our theme of “enriching lives through diversity and inclusion.” Do not feel limited by these suggestions. We strongly encourage new and fresh interpretations of our theme. To download the full Art Selection Criteria, please click here.

All submissions must be an original concept and execution and not a copy or reproduction of the work of another. Final selections for inclusion in the exhibit will be made by a three-judge panel of professional artists, curators and art professionals based on artistic excellence and originality in reflection of our theme “enriching lives through diversity and inclusion.” Judges will also consider:

• How effective the art will read when enlarged to billboard size (16 feet (4.9 m) wide by 12.5 feet (3.8 m) high) and displayed outdoors.
• Is the theme clear and easily understood?
• Does the art explore the theme in an unusual or previously unexplored manner?
• Will the art and its message prompt discussion?

To view past winning selections, please visit our Galleries page. To view a short video of a prior exhibit, please click here.

To download the full Art Selection Criteria, please click here.

It is always a good idea to start with looking at past winning submissions on the Galleries page of our website. For additional suggestions to creating a "winning" submission, click here.

No. Only a digital file of your original art work will be accepted. Due to the number received, submissions will not be returned.  Teachers submitting student art work should click here or email us for a simplified submission process.

Yes. There is no limit to the number of pieces of art you may submit. There is no entry or submission fee. You may also submit works of art previously submitted to other competitions or to past Embracing Our Differences competitions.

Yes, there is no restriction on submitting art that has been previously submitted to Embracing Our Differences or other competitions.

Your original art may be any size and medium; however, you must create or scan and submit it as a high-resolution (minimum 300 dpi) digital file (JPG, JPEG, TIFF, PDF or EPS). Your digital art must measure no less than 12.8” (325.12 mm) wide by 8.8” (223.52 mm) high, or if larger, it must contain the same proportions. All art must have a HORIZONTAL orientation as shown below.  Submissions which do not meet our technical requirements will be disqualified.

CLICK HERE to download templates for creating Embracing Our Differences artwork in the proper dimensions.

Horizontal means that your art is wider than it is tall.  This is very important because of the way we print and display your artwork. Please see the photo below as an example of how your art, if selected, will be displayed.

The digital copy of your art which is submitted should have the highest resolution possible and at a minimum no less than 300 dpi. A resolution of 600 dpi or higher is even better. The higher the resolution, the better your art will reproduce when it is printed in a large scale format (16 feet (5m) wide by 12.5 feet (4m) high) for display during the exhibit.

Yes. If making multiple submissions by mail, you may include all digital art images on a single flash drive. You must clearly identify each file with the “title” of the artwork and your name – for example, “Coexistence-Mark Smith.” A separate signed submission form, color print and “artist statement” will be required for each artwork submitted.

If you are making multiple submissions online, you will need to submit each work of art as a separate entry.

Yes, you will receive full credit for your artistic creation. Please see our Terms and Conditions page as well as our Privacy Policy for additional information.

Yes, you retain the rights to your art. However, by your submission, you acknowledge that your creation is an original concept and creation, is not a copy or reproduction of the art of another and does not violate the United States Copyright Act of 1986, as amended, and any similar law in your home country.  You further acknowledge that by submitting your work of art you irrevocably grant to Embracing Our Differences and its related organizations, affiliates  and assigns, in its sole and absolute discretion, without restriction or limitation, a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable license to use, publish, modify, adapt, translate, create derivative works, distribute and display your work and personal information, including your name, grade (if a student) and city/state/country of residence, for exhibits, displays, catalogs, posters, advertising, educational, merchandising/promotional materials and other purposes throughout the world via any media now known or hereinafter devised. Please see our Term and Conditions page as well as our Privacy Policy for additional information.

No. Our creative writing contest is a separate competition.

Judging will take place in late November after the submission deadline and those selected for inclusion in the exhibit will be notified by email by late December. Due to the volume of submissions, only artists with entries selected for display will be notified individually. All winning entries will be posted on our website by early January. “LIKE” us on Facebook to find out earlier.

45 submissions will be selected for inclusion in the exhibit. The judges may select an additional three entries for "honorable mention."

The exhibit will be displayed during April and May 2018 along Sarasota's bay front in Southwest Florida USA.  Beginning in 2019, the exhibit will be displayed mid-January through mid-March each year. The venue will not change.

Yes!! Teachers may complete and sign submission forms on behalf of their students and, at their option, substitute their personal or school contact information for that of their students. Teachers may also submit their student(s) art through a simplified process.