So You Want to Be An Artist? - The National Gallery of Canada's cross-Canada art contest for teens starts soon

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OTTAWA, Jan. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - The National Gallery of Canada (NGC) is inviting youth aged 16 to 19 from across the country to participate in its annual So You Want to Be an Artist? contest. Artists must submit their work between February 4 and April 1 inclusively. As in the past, submitted works will be shown on the contest website (soyouwanttobeanartist.ca), where visitors will be able to vote for their favourite pieces. The 12 entries with the most votes will make it to the semi-finals and will be shown at the Gallery for one month this summer. A jury made up of artists, curators and prominent art bloggers will select three winning entries, and the creators of those pieces will receive exciting prizes. The grand prize winner will spend an unforgettable day on a behind-the-scenes visit with NGC experts.

"We're very proud to be launching our So You Want to Be an Artist? contest for the third year," said Gary Goodacre, NGC manager of youth and school programs. "It's a unique way for youth to showcase their talent. For the grand prize winner, it's a great opportunity to get an inside look at the National Gallery, learn about art careers, and obtain feedback about their own artwork."

How to enter
Young artists can base their work on whatever sparks their imagination. They can also draw inspiration from the NGC's rich collection, either in person or by visiting gallery.ca. Artworks must be original two dimensional pieces in any medium, and must be accompanied by a short text explaining the story behind the piece. A digital copy of the work must also be submitted, which will be shown on the soyouwanttobeanartist.ca website, where visitors will be able to vote for their favourite piece(s) through Facebook (one vote per work per Facebook account).

The 12 contestants with the most online votes will be invited to submit their original artwork for entry into the final phase of the contest. For more information, go to soyouwanttobeanartist.ca.

Eligibility
The contest is open to residents of Canada who are aged 16 to 19, as of June 18, 2013 -

One Contest, Three Phases:

1. Online Submission Phase
The NGC will accept entries from February 4 to April 1, 2013 via the contest website at soyouwanttobeanartist.ca.

2. Online Voting Phase
The NGC will post all accepted entries online at soyouwanttobeanartist.ca. During the voting phase of the contest, visitors to the contest website will be able to vote once for every artwork that appeals to them. The voting phase takes place from April 8 to May 5, 2013.

3. Public Display and Jury Selection Phase
The NGC will invite the top 12 contestants with the most online votes to submit their original artwork for display on its Artissimo Gallery wall, located in the concourse. The works will be on view from June 10 to July 5, 2013. During the display phase, a jury appointed by the NGC will evaluate the artworks based on: the clarity of the theme and message; originality and imaginativeness; and the thought and feeling provoked in the viewer.

Announcement of Winners
The jurors will choose three finalists who will be awarded exciting prizes as outlined below. The NGC will announce the winners during the week of June 17, 2013.

First Prize
First prize includes travel, accommodation and meals for a two-night stay in Ottawa for the winner and one accompanying adult as well as an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit of the NGC that will focus on careers in the visual arts. The winner will also gain expert advice on his or her art portfolio and receive a $500 gift certificate for art supplies. (Note: If the winner lives within a 100 km radius from downtown Ottawa, a $1,000 gift certificate for art supplies will be awarded instead of the travel portion of the prize.) Total maximum value: $3,500.

Second Prize
A $1,000 gift certificate for art supplies.

Third Prize
A $500 gift certificate for art supplies.

The Gallery thanks its sponsors
Gift certificates for art supplies for the top three winners will generously be offered by the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Arts.

Official Rules
Visit soyouwanttobeanartist.ca for the contest's full official rules.

About the National Gallery of Canada 
The National Gallery of Canada is home to the most important collections of historical and contemporary Canadian art. The Gallery also maintains Canada's premier collection of European Art from the 14th to the 21st century, as well as important works of American, Asian and Indigenous Art and renowned international collections of prints, drawings and photographs. Created in 1880, the National Gallery of Canada has played a key role in Canadian culture for well over a century. Among its principal missions is to increase access to excellent works of art for all Canadians. To do so, it maintains an extensive touring art exhibition programme. For more information: gallery.ca

SOURCE: National Gallery of Canada