ArtNow 2023: Unarmed Truth Submissions Close Jan 29, 2023 at Midnight

Toolkit

NUMU and our ArtNow Teen Council are excited to offer a new ArtNow Toolkit, built to help encourage creativity in the classroom and spark inspiration for ArtNow submissions, showing artistic examples for each of the 8 medium categories that explore either personal or universal truths. We hope this toolkit helps you explore the theme Unarmed Truth in a meaningful way as you prepare to submit to ArtNow 2023!

Submission Requirements

  • Students may submit one work of art. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

  • A fully completed submission form and an artist statement of no more than 100 words must accompany the artwork. Submissions accepted online only.

  • Must be a Santa Clara County High School student. Public, private, and homeschoolers are all welcome to apply.

  • Create an original work of art in response to this year’s theme, and write an accompanying artist’s statement.

  • Artwork is accepted in the following categories: Drawing, Digital Art, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, & Video/Animation.

Image Upload Requirement

  • All files must be labeled as follows "Artist Last Name_ Artist First Name_Artwork Title" (Doe_Jane_TreeOfLife.jpg, for example)

  • Images must be in .jpg format.

  • Images should be sized at a minimum of 1250 pixels on the shortest side with an image quality of at least 300 dpi.

  • Final .jpg file must be less than 5mb.

  • Video/Animation submissions must be 2 minutes or shorter, and exported as .mp4. Short .gif files must be looped and exported to follow Video/Animation requirements.

  • An individual artwork with multiple components (diptych, triptych, series) will be considered as one submission and must be submitted as a composite (single) file.

Art Categories & Awards

Each year NUMU awards $10,000 in scholarships and prizes to exhibiting artists. Students have the opportunity to win 1st Place, 2nd Place, and Judge’s Recognition awards in each of the 8 artistic categories listed below as well as an overall Best in Show award which includes a $5,000 educational scholarship. Each year a panel of guest judges, who are accomplished in their own right as artists, educators and art historians, distribute the awards in each category as a team.

DRAWING
Any two dimensional piece created on a flat surface using dry media

DIGITAL ART
Any composition that is rendered using computer software

MIXED MEDIA
Any composition that incorporates multiple mediums on one surface wet and/or dry.

PAINTING
Any two dimensional piece that uses watercolor, acrylic, or oil on a flat surface.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photo process that utilizes either a digital or analog camera.

PRINTMAKING
Works created using relief, intaglio, planographic, or stencil printmaking process.

SCULPTURE
Any three dimensional piece that is created using clay, bronze, wood, glass, paper, etc.

VIDEO/ANIMATION
Any artwork that requires a digital screen to view.

Jurying Criteria

Submissions are accepted based on the following criteria:

  • Significant and thoughtful investigation of the theme. 

  • Imaginative communication of ideas.  

  • Meaningful use of materials.

  • Demonstrates technical skill and artistic merit.

  • Artist statement is well articulated.

NUMU Blog
ArtNow 2023: Meet the Judges!
ArtNow 2023: Meet the Judges!
ArtNow 2022: Meet the Judges!
ArtNow 2022: Meet the Judges!

FAQs

  1. Is there a size restriction for my original (physical) piece?
    There are no size restrictions.

  2. How many pieces can I submit?
    Each student may only submit one work in the category of their choice.

  3. Can I make a change or correction to my submission?

    Unfortunately, no. Once the form has been submitted, there will be no opportunity to edit. Please make sure all files and information are correct before submitting.

  4. Can I submit an artwork created with multiple people as a group?

    Email artnow@numulosgatos.org about your project to discuss the specifics of your idea.

  5. Can I add to my piece after I have been accepted as an exhibiting artist?

    Making changes to the piece may jeopardize artwork, as it was judged in the original state it was submitted. Slight modifications such as varnishing a painting or fixing something that has broken are acceptable and encouraged.

  6. When will I know if my work was accepted into the exhibition?

    Accepted artists will be listed on the website numulosgatos.org/artnow on February 15, 2023. All students who submitted will receive an email notification shortly after the website announcement.

  7. When will I need to drop off my artwork to NUMU?

    Students whose artwork is juried into the exhibition will need to drop-off their artwork during museum open hours March 18 +19, 2023. All artworks need to be received ready-to-be-installed and properly wrapped. Exhibiting artists will be emailed detailed information on the drop-off process and artwork preparation requirements.

  8. How long will my artwork be on display?

    Works will be displayed from March 31, 2023 to June 25, 2023. However, works will remain at NUMU from the time of drop-off (March 18-19), to the scheduled pick-up dates (July 6-9). Accepted students will receive detailed instructions on all dates and requirements.

  9. When is the submission deadline for ArtNow 2023?

    ArtNow 2023: Unarmed Truth Submissions Close Jan 29, 2023 at Midnight.

Interested in other art exhibitions at NUMU?

NUMU’s rotating exhibitions means there will always be something new to see, learn, and explore. Check out what is currently on view and all related exhibition programming at the museum!