Our Earth. Our Home.
Eco-Art Competition.

Our Earth, Our Home

Rules and Guidelines

Competition Description

Young artists, ages 5-22, create a 2-D, two dimensional or 3-D, three-dimensional artwork that illustrates the 2023 theme message: Protectors for the Planet. Participants may use any medium or combination of media if the work meets the size requirements designated in the Official Rules.

The artwork must address this year’s theme: Protectors for the Planet. The subject matter can center around different aspects of the theme. Artists could illustrate how they would directly impact their community or provide a solution to a global environmental concern. The artist may interpret the theme Protectors for the Planet to include individuals taking action towards a more sustainable planet. Artists may use visual elements to express their views on: biodiversity, ocean health, pollution, climate change, waste disposal, conservation, wildlife habitat security or green innovation, to name a few. Artists may interrupt the theme more figuratively to suggest how one can take action protecting our planet or highlight the accomplishments of environmental leaders, animals and organisms working to sustain ecosystems. These are just a few
ideas and should in no way limit the artist as to how the theme can be interpreted.

Official Rules and Submission Details

1. Conditions of Entry

By submitting an Entry in this Project, each Entrant warrants and represents that the Entrant owns all rights to the Entry he/she is entering in this Competition and is the sole work of the Entrant. By submitting an Entry, Entrant agrees to the Official Rules, and further agrees to indemnify and hold EarthX and their respective affiliates, officers, directors, agents, co-branders or other partners, and any of their employees (collectively, The Project Indemnities), harmless from any and all claims, damages, expenses, costs (including reasonable attorney’s fees) and liabilities (including settlements), brought or asserted by any third party against any of The Project Indemnities due to or arising out of the Entrant’s Entry materials in this Project, or the Entrants conduct during and in connection with the Project, including but not limited to trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights, right of publicity, right of privacy or defamation.  Entrant agrees to release, indemnify and hold harmless EarthX from all claims that any advertising, presentation, web content or any other material subsequently produced, presented, and/or prepared by or on behalf of EarthX infringes on the rights of Entrant's work as contained in any Entry.

2. Eligibility Requirements

Anyone in Grades K-12 (or at an age to attend Grades K-12) at the time of entry is eligible. Your Division placement will be determined by the Grade you are in at the time of entry. The following are not eligible for juried cash prizes: employees, contractors, consultants, directors, and officers of EarthX, their affiliated companies, distributors, web design, advertising, fulfillment, judging and Project agencies involved in the administration, development, fulfillment, and execution of this Project and the immediate family members of each (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and spouse or "step" of each) and those living in their same households (those persons whether related or not who live in the same residence for at least three months during the twelve-month period preceding the start date of the Project). Outside of the United States, residency requirements may vary. Void where prohibited.

3. Basic Requirements of the Project

Artwork can be either 2-D or 3-D and use any medium or combination of media and must relate to the theme of the Competition: Our Earth, Our Home.

2-D Pieces-Size must be no more than 20” X 30”, excluding frame (framing optional)

3-D Pieces-Size must be no more than 24” X 24” X 48” with a maximum weight of 20 pounds.

An Impact Essay of no more than 300 words is also required.* The purpose of this essay is to describe how the artistic representation embodies the theme of the Competition: Our Earth, Our Home. It will be used in the judging process to aid in the understanding of the Entry.  The answers to the following questions should be included in the essay:

Division 1 (K-3)

1. How does your work share your ideas about how the earth is our home?
2. Why is this idea important to you?
3. What do you hope will happen when people see your work?

Divisions 2 and 3

1. Describe how the environmental element(s) displayed in your work related to the theme: Our Earth, Our Home.
2. Why is this environmental element/issue important to you?
3. What artistic elements did you use to communicate your message?
4. How do you see this Entry affecting those who view it?    

*Adult assistance can be used in the writing of this essay, but the thoughts should be original to the Entrant.

Each Entry should bear a title. The suggested title length should be no more than 8 words. It should not include the word EarthX.

Matting and framing of a 2-D Entry are optional. For Entries chosen as Finalists, if no matting accompanies the piece, the Entrant gives permission for EarthX to mat the Entry.

4. Entry Requirements

Online entry can be found at https://earthx.org/education/art-competition/. In addition to the information requested on the entry form, artists will attach the appropriate image(s) of their work and an Impact Essay by which their work will be judged. The completed entry form, image(s) and Impact Essay should be included in the online entry.

FORMATS: IMAGES: .jpeg

• 2-D Art:  1 image
• 3-D Art:  4 images (1 front, 1 back, 1 of each side)
• IMPACT ESSAY: .pdf

5. Additional Requirements

• To be complete, all applications must include the following: Entry Title, Submitter’s Name, Submitters Age, and Grade. If under the age of 18, the application must include Parent or Legal Guardians’ Name, Email and Signature of Permission for Entry. All of these elements must be valid or any prizes may be forfeited. Additional information such as a contact phone # may also be requested.
• All Entries must have a Title listed on the Entry Form. The Title should be no more than 8 words in length and should not include EarthX in the title. Original titles that evoke the message of the artwork are recommended.
• All Entries should have the dimensions of the work listed.
• All Entries must be downloadable to be accepted and may not be posted on the internet until after April 26, 2020, except by EarthX or its representatives unless specifically authorized to do so.
• All Entries must not be entered in another art contest during this Competition.

6. Entry Deadlines

An Entry will only be considered for judging that has been submitted with a completed Application Placket by the designated deadline.

Submissions Due: Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Finalists Announced:  Wednesday, March 4, 2020*

Finalist Artwork Delivered to EarthX: Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Winners Announced: Sunday, April 26, 2020, during the Awards Ceremony at the EarthX Expo, Dallas Fair Park

*All Finalists will have their Entry showcased at Expo EarthX 2020. It will be the responsibility of the Finalist to move their Entry at their cost to the designated location by the date/time listed in the Finalist Announcement. EarthX will not be responsible for any damage that may occur in transport.

Finalist Entries can be retrieved at the Expo by the owner at their expense after the Awards Ceremony at the Expo EarthX 2020. Any Entry not retrieved by Friday, May 1, 2020, maybe donated to other entities. It is not the responsibility of EarthX to return the artwork to the Entrant.

7. Confirmation of Entry

Each Entrant will receive a Confirmation of Entry once the application form has been accepted and the submitted Entry has been properly uploaded. If the link to the Entry does not work properly, the Entry will not be accepted and you will not receive a confirmation. Be sure the email you provide on the application is correct. If you believe you have submitted your completed Entry and have not received a confirmation of submission by Wednesday, February 12, 2020, please send an email to edu@Earthx.org. Write “Art Contest Submission” in the subject.

8. Artist Agreement

Entrants will be required to agree to the Official Rules. If under the legal age of majority in your state of residence, the Entrants parent or legal guardian must agree on your behalf.

By submitting, The Entrant agrees to these Official Rules, which sets forth the rights of Entrant and EarthX with respect to the use of Entries by EarthX. Entries that do not include all required information and adhere to the foregoing and following requirements will be considered void and will not be considered for prizes in this Project.

9. Entry Costs

All costs associated with the production for the Entry are solely the responsibility of the Entrant. All  Finalists will be required to move their Entry at their cost to the designated location by the date/time listed in the Finalist Announcement and to retrieve it at the end of EarthX Expo on Sunday, April 26, 2020. Any submission not retrieved by May 1, 2020, maybe donated to another entity.

10. Designated Artist

If any group of individuals elects to collaborate on an Entry, they are required to designated one (1) person as the agent of the group to enter Project. They must agree to these Official Rules and accept any prize on behalf of the group. EarthX is not liable for any disputes between collaborators arising out of or related to the Project.

For those who participate in a group, the student whose name appears as the primary contact on the Entry Form will be considered the team leader and will be the primary point of contact for the team.

The student in the highest grade in the group will determine the Division under which they will be judged.

11. Selection of Winners

The Finalists, including the First Place, Second Place, and Honorable Mention winners will be selected by a panel of judges agreed upon by EarthX staff. The judges will be composed of professional artists with ties to ecology. The decisions of EarthX with input from the judges will be final. Entrants agree that EarthX has the sole right to decide all matters and disputes arising from the Project and that all decisions of EarthX are at its sole discretion and final.

Entries will be judged by a process in which qualified panels of judges will evaluate the eligible Entries along  with information from the Impact Essay based on the following judging criteria:

• Artistic Merit (e.g., aesthetic value, use of artistic elements)
• Adherence to the Theme (communication of theme, Our Earth, Our Home)
• Impact (inspires viewers to take environmental action)

In the event of a tie, the tie will be broken at the discretion of EarthX. Entrants agree that EarthX has the sole right to decide all matters and disputes arising from the Project and that all decisions of EarthX are at its sole discretion and final.

Prize recipients who win cash prizes of a higher value than $600 will be asked to provide a W-9 and will be responsible for any taxes associated with the prizes. If a student who wins a cash prize higher than $600 does not provide W-9, they will still be recognized as a winner but will not receive their prize money. EarthX reserves the right not to award all prizes in all categories.

12. Winners

Winners will be announced at EarthX 2020 Expo. Every effort will be made to contact the winning Entrants prior to the announcement at the event. Images of Finalists and Winners’ Entries may be posted online at www.EarthX.org, and across EarthX’s, social media platforms.

• Cash Prizes-
  • Div I (Grades K-3)-1^st Place-$100; 2^nd Place-$75
  • Div II (Grades 4-8)-1^st Place-$500; 2^nd Place-$250
  • Div III (Grades 9-12)-1^st Place-$1000; 2^nd Place-$500

13. General Conditions

By participating, Entrant agrees to these Official Rules. These official rules will be governed and interpreted according to the laws of the state of Texas without regard to its conflict of laws rules.

14. Limitations of Liability and Release

No liability or responsibility is assumed by EarthX resulting from any user's participation in or attempt to participate in the Project or ability or inability to upload or download any information in connection with participating in the Project. No responsibility or liability is assumed by EarthX for technical problems or technical malfunction arising in connection with any of the following occurrences which may affect the operation of the Entry or the Project: hardware or software errors; faulty computer, telephone, cable, satellite, network, electronic, wireless or Internet connectivity or other online communication problems; errors or limitations of any Internet service providers, servers, hosts or providers; garbled, jumbled or faulty data transmissions; failure of any e-mail transmissions to be sent or received; lost, late, delayed or intercepted e-mail transmissions; inaccessibility of the web site in whole or in part for any reason; traffic congestion on the Internet or the web site; unauthorized human or non-human intervention of the operation of the Project, including without limitation, unauthorized tampering, hacking, theft, virus, bugs, worms; or destruction of any aspect of The Project, or loss, miscount, misdirection, inaccessibility or unavailability of an email account used in connection with the Project. EarthX is not responsible for any typographical errors in the announcement of prizes or these Official Rules, or any inaccurate or incorrect data contained on the web site or social media sites maintained by EarthX. The use of web site and EarthX social media sites is at the user's own risk. EarthX is not responsible for any personal injury or property damage or losses of any kind which may be sustained to user's or any other person's computer equipment resulting from participation in the Project, use of the Web Site or the download of any information from the web site. By participating in the Project, Entrant agrees to release, indemnify and hold EarthX harmless from any and all claims, damages or liabilities arising from or relating to such Entrant's participation in the Project.

15. Questions

Questions about the art contest can be addressed to edu@earthx.org.

16. Project Organizer

Earth Day Texas DBA, EarthX, 4311 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 325, Dallas, TX 75219

EarthX reserves the right to amend these rules anytime during the Competition.