Art Competition Jurors

One of the favorite pastimes of entrants is trying to predict the kind of artwork a particular juror will accept, based on that juror’s painting style. Sometimes picking your entries in this way works and you get in, but I’ve also seen jurors choose an eclectic mix of styles and subjects, only some of which were like their own.

Art Tip # 1

My advice is just enter your best work – art that shows skillful use of your painting medium, a well-designed composition and an image that shows creativity. These are three important criteria of most jurors.

When you enter your best artwork, you are showing your strengths. After that, it is up to the juror and his or her viewpoint. And you’ll just have to accept the vagaries of the judging process. As a more extreme example of what can happen, I once had the same juror for two different shows. I entered the same painting in both art competitions and the juror rejected it from the first show and gave it an award in the later one. A nationally known artist told me a similar story about a painting of his. It was rejected from one national show and won Best of Show in another. I’m pretty sure he didn’t have my juror.

Photographing Your Art

Art Tip # 2

The second most important factor you control, after painting a great piece of art, is taking a good photograph of it. This is what the juror sees to judge your art; it needs to represent you well.

The picture should, of course, be in focus and show colors that closely match your art, so become proficient at shooting your own work or find a professional to do it.

What people who take pictures of their own art may not realize is the lighting conditions affect the color of your picture. Just like the old film cameras, shooting pictures with a digital camera using incandescent light bulbs will turn your picture more orange. Using fluorescent lights can turn the pictures greenish. Shooting outside when the sky is overcast can create a bluish tint, so look at your pictures closely before entering them.

A lot of people make the mistake of leaving their digital camera set on Automatic. To get the color in your picture to match your artwork, you need to understand how to set the White Balance. Every time you shoot under different lighting conditions you should reset the White Balance. Check your manual for how to do this on your camera.

Another award and entry killer is not submitting your entry in the required format with the required information. Always read the art contest prospectus. It’s amazing how many people don’t follow instructions, which instantly converts their entry fee into a donation.

Art Tip # 3

Film is going away, so my advice is to become familiar with how to prepare and send digital pictures.

Art competitions that require digital entries often want your pictures to be formatted in a specific way. The prospectus will often say your entry should have a black background and be X number of pixels square. If you don’t want to buy software (like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements) that will help you do that, there are free internet sites you can also use to format your pictures.

Framing your art

Okay, you’ve been accepted into an art competition. There is another important decision to make. How well are you going to frame your work?

Art Tip # 4

Often, the juror doesn’t pick the award-winning art until he or she can see the actual work. Your whole presentation affects that decision.

Matting and framing your art well are very important for two reasons.

Reason 1: If you have a nice piece of art surrounded by a cheap-looking frame or a frame that’s scratched or dented, you’ve just reduced the award-worthiness of your work in the eyes of the juror.

If you also have your art surrounded by gaudy or inappropriately colored mats, you’ve lowered your chances of an award even further. It’s best to be conservative. Use white or off-white mats.

Reason 2: If an art buyer likes your art and would consider purchasing it, he or she often wants to be able to take it home and immediately hang it on their wall. If she feels she needs to spend more money to re-frame your art more appropriately, she is likely to decide it isn’t worth the wait, the cost, or the hassle.

Art Tip # 5

My advice is to frame your work as well as your budget will allow. If your work doesn’t sell, you can always reuse the frame for other art in other shows…but take into consideration Tip # 6.

Art Tip # 6

Ask yourself: How experienced are the people hanging the show?

Let me explain. At one time I used to enter some of the smaller local art shows. The problem that changed my mind about this was I had so many frames scratched and ruined because they were badly handled. I use nice frames for my art – not the really high-end ones, but not the cheap ones either. In the smaller shows, what happened at times was the art was stored with the back of one piece of art leaning against the front of another. When that is done the screws on the back of one frame can easily scratch the frame or artwork behind it.

Small art shows and small organizations may have volunteers who have little or no experience handling art. In these small shows especially, you have to make a judgment call as to how expensively to frame your work.

I am much more trusting if the show venue is a professional gallery, since they have experience handling and hanging art.

Glass for Your Frame

If you create art that needs to be framed under glass, you’ve got another decision to make. Do you use regular glass or the more expensive, non-reflective glass?

Art Tip # 7

Use the best glass you can afford.

As expensive as it is, let me explain why I’m a strong proponent of non-reflective glass. Some years ago I was accepted into an art competition at a gallery. Normally, galleries have track lighting that can be positioned to reduce reflections.

Unfortunately, my art (under regular glass) was hung on a wall facing the front windows. When the sun was shining on the street outside, the scene outside was all you could see reflected in my glass. This is a very effective way to guarantee you get neither a sale nor an award.

But, being a slow learner, I continued using regular glass until a weekend a few years later. I had registered to display my art in an art fair. Now in an art fair, the artist pays for space to set up his canopy or tent to show and hopefully sell his work.

Tents for this use are almost always white, as was mine. The white walls of my rented tent set up a reflective situation that the lights I was using could not overcome.

Standing in front of some of the art was almost like standing in front of a mirror. Again, the only way to actually see the art was to stand off to the side. I had one sale that weekend.

I may be a slow learner, but eventually the lesson does sink in. Since that disastrous weekend I have used nothing but non-reflective glass. It is almost as expensive as gold, but it works very well and eliminates a very important headache.

Shipping your art

You might decide at some point to enter an art contest in another area, where you will need to ship your art.

Art Tip # 8

Total all your costs before you enter a competition, because the costs add up quickly.

First, you need to buy a sturdy box to ship your painting. Air Float Systems (www.airfloatsys.com) carry boxes made especially for shipping art. The boxes are very sturdy, but they are not cheap. Or, you can build something similar to the Air Float boxes by purchasing a mirror box (available at U Haul and other packing stores) and some foam.

Second, the art group organizing the show will designate a local shipping agent to receive your entry. The agent will unpack your art, deliver it to the show venue, pick it up after the show, repack it in your box and ship it back to you. The fee for this may be several hundred dollars in addition to the expense of your box and your original shipping costs.

Art Tip # 9

Never enter more pieces of art than you are prepared to deliver.

If you call the art show organizer and try to weasel out of shipping one or more of your pieces that got accepted, you are not going to get a sympathetic ear. Or, if you just don’t deliver all of the art that was accepted, you could, depending on the rules of that art competition, be banned from entering for several years.

So remember: Do your planning well ahead and follow these tips you are much more likely to have a rewarding experience when entering art competitions.

By Gary Gumble
Article Source: Entering Art Competitions – Nine Tips to Making Your Experience Rewarding

Gary Gumble has been using his creativity in one form of art or another for over 40 years. He graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design with a BFA. Thereafter, he was a commercial illustrator for 18 years before returning to his early schooling in fine art.

Since then his artwork has won numerous awards of all sizes.

Now he has created http://beginningartist.com in order to use his forty years of art experience to teach aspiring artists the lessons that are seldom taught by most art instructors. His site is for people who love creating art, but now want to create it better.

To see examples of his work, go to http://www.beginningartist.com/fine-art-online-gallery.html.

What’s the reason for this broad approach to musical training? In a word, change. Minneapolis has always established itself as a microcosm of the larger music industry although it is music-intensive. There was a time when jobs related to the industry were very specialized – sound engineering, advertising, show management, to name a few. But this set-up took a beating with the revolution of online media which resulted from the onslaught of pirated music and digital downloading. Thus, jobs today are no longer that diverse.

That being said, it can be noted that many music artists at present need to fulfill these different roles themselves. For instance, a singer needs to know the fundamentals in advertising, sound engineering, business management and troubleshooting as well. There’s always the necessity to wear different hats even if the artist has a contract with a specific label. Currently, many music businesses prefer a smaller group of people with a wider range of talents as compared to a gigantic group with special skills. This means that even if you are not a performer, you will still probably need to have quite a few tricks stored up your sleeves.

Fortunately, Minneapolis music schools have compensated, and other schools are beginning to follow their lead. Such is most evident in what’s now known as the Musicians Technical Training Center, formerly called McNally Smith. Programs from Music Tech include classes on performance, recording and the business side of the industry – emphasizing on how these music skills can be applied. The MacPhail Center for Music is known for its more classic approach and works with kids and adults to develop musical talent, teach music therapy, and hold ensembles. Of course, there is the IPR that teaches a combination of musical theory, music tech, and multimedia production – its emphasis is on the entertainment and production side of the music industry.

Don’t forget that there are also larger institutions, like the University of Minnesota, which offers several different degrees in music, including coaching, electronic music, and conducting. Keep in mind, Minneapolis music schools hold enough choices that you can still have options even in today’s competitive market. Minneapolis Music Schools from the Recording Connection offer one-on-one music recording and producing training in real recording studios.

By Alex D Baker
Article Source: Music Schools – Exploring Musical Training and Education Opportunities in the Twin Cities Area

If you really want to get an audio engineering or related degree, Minneapolis can offer you several college options. Among the most prominent –for radio engineering, at least–is Brown College, which boasts a radio engineering degree focused specifically on the sound systems used to broadcast radio waves.

The Institute of Production and Recording (IPR) is yet another choice for you particularly if you want to broaden your options. The IPR offers two different associate degrees, one in music and entertainment and another in audio production and engineering, and both offer a broad look at various types of media and how they work in today’s industries. Similarly, the Minneapolis Media Institute offers a program in recording and music technology which leads to an applied science degree. The classes are unique because they also include subjects on the music business, post production process and even free personal time in the studio.

For a more musically concentrated audio focus, the Mcnally Smith College of Music offers an audio engineering music as well. Although Mcnally Smith is concentrated on music performance and talent, their engineering programs are highly acclaimed, and the college sees a high volume of traffic through its recording and production studios Among the things that can be learned in the program are the use of Digidesign and ProTools; some training in several MIDI components is also obtained.

You could also try attending the Globe University, Minnesota School of Business if you’re more interested in acquiring the business acumen of audio engineering. They specialize in training for audio and MIDI production, from a business-oriented angle.

Of course, use the internet as well; look up for online classes. For instance, you can visit recordingschool.com if you want to be acquainted with the latest in local news, education opportunities as well as career info. Be sure to refer to audio engineering organizations, too, such as the Audio Engineering Society and related institutions designed to keep interested parties up on the latest news. You see, there’s definitely a lot of Minneapolis audio engineering school options out there; with this, you’ll certainly find something that fits your needs. Minneapolis Audio Engineering School from the Recording Connection offer one-on-one music recording and producing training in real recording studios.

By Alex D Baker
Article Source: Your Different Audio Engineering School Options

Despite this wide selection of opportunities, people may still struggle, unsure of how to enter the film production industry. Indeed, it’s almost always difficult to break into a new area where you have little experience on. It’s a good thing that a number of programs that will help aspiring filmmakers find their niche are available. One is filmmaking.net, which is specifically made to provide resources just for such interested people, providing helpful internet links, articles on current filmmaking opportunities, a directory of other organizations and schools oriented around film, and gear and software needed for amateur forays in the filmmaking industry. Another wonderful option is the Entertainment Career Connection whose subset, Film Connection, links aspiring filmmakers and industry professionals through effective mentoring programs. This way, the mentor can pass along valuable information while giving a broader look at how the real world of film and filmmaking proceeds.

Educational Options in Minneapolis

There are several Minneapolis film schools, based within the area and offering training in many of the technical areas of film production, for those who prefer a classical approach. One of the most famous is MCAD, or the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Aside from offering media, art and graphic design courses, MCAD also provides classes on filmmaking and technologies used in various types of film elements. There’s also a less conventional school called Brainco (an affiliate of MCAD), where a more film-oriented program schedule on directing, shooting and film writing classes are carried out.

If you’re looking for a mentor-based type of training, see what you can find out about ScreenLabs, a non-profit Minneapolis program that links those interested in having film careers with writers, directors and producers at a series of workshops designed to give tips and how-to knowledge. Be sure to check in with local colleges and film studios, since they’ll often have hands-on knowledge of film in Minneapolis, and be able to point the way for more information about other Minneapolis film schools options and what you can do to land in your dream job in film production. Minneapolis Film Schools offer one-on-one mentoring from Hollywood film professionals. The Film Connection ’s mentor apprentice approach to filmmaking pairs you up with a working professional on actual film and video jobs – no teachers, no crowded classrooms, to massive tuition debts.

By Alex D Baker
Article Source: Film School Opportunities – Find Your Favorite Job in the Film Industry

The Minnesota College of Art and Designs, which is situated in Minneapolis, is one of the excellent film schools in the state. It possesses the highest accreditation possible for art and design universities, and offers a wide selection of classes on all areas of filmmaking. MCAD offers majors that are specifically catered to those who are passionate about the film business: courses on advertising, professional filmmaking, and web/multimedia environments are available.

There are also programs that would allow the students to closely work with an industry professional – be it in the field of directing, writing or producing. These programs are truly a very good way of giving you a valuable perspective on the inner workings of your dream job. A connection in the industry can give you advice for success, warn you of pitfalls, and provide valuable insight on the current conditions of the film world. This kind of approach is offered by MCAD during the last year of attendance while Entertainment Connection incorporates this similar of service in their courses regardless of year level.

Moreover, never discount traditional colleges and private organizations if you’re trying to explore Minnesota Film School opportunities. The Minnesota Film and TV board, for instance, is responsible for the renowned 15-20% reimbursement for film productions costs incurred in the state, a program known as Snowbate. IPF, the Center for Media Arts located in Saint Paul, is an excellent organization that provides film-related resources to its members. Other groups, like the Minnesota Historical Society, offer annual rewards for documentary films, excellent for name recognition.

Don’t forget the small-time opportunities waiting all around you in the form of community groups, writing conventions, and the smaller film and TV projects that may not be advertising but would still appreciate the help. Also, don’t forget that because of their experience, many people who are already working in the film industry have valuable information about your education options. So, ask around – you would be surprised at the fountain of information on Minnesota film schools that is readily available to you. Minnesota Film Schools offer one-on-one mentoring from Hollywood film professionals. The Film Connection’s mentor apprentice approach to filmmaking pairs you up with a working professional on actual film and video jobs – no teachers, no crowded classrooms, to massive tuition debts.

By Alex D Baker
Article Source: Film School Opportunities

• Contemporary artistic developments
• Performing arts
• Film
• Education programs

The Walker Art Center is recognized internationally as a singular model of a multidisciplinary arts organization and a national leader for its innovative approaches to audience engagement.

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is one of the nation’s largest urban sculpture parks and sits adjacent to the Walker Art Center. The Garden’s most popular work is Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s Spoonbridge and Cherry (1985-1988). It has become a symbol of the Twin Cities. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden created an extraordinary force for bringing new visitors inside the Walker as well as to create new audiences for contemporary art.

Special Occasions at the Walker Art Center

The indoor and outdoor facilities at the Walker Art Center offer a unique atmosphere for artful dinners, refined receptions, weddings, meetings and other events. The new building is designed by Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron. It features flexible spaces for almost any size gathering. Special features include a shimmering façade and skyline views. There is convenient underground parking. You can expect nothing less than perfection from start to finish of your unique occasion. With almost limitless menu options and their exclusive caterer, internationally acclaimed chef Wolfgang Puck, your dining experience will be as unique as your occasion.

Gallery Admission Prices

• $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (65+), $6 student/teen (with ID)
• Free to Walker members and children less than 12 years of age
• Free with a ticket to a same-day Walker event
• Free to all every Thursday evening (5-9) p.m.) For Target Free Thursday Nights and the first Saturday of each month for Free First Saturday

Event Ticket Prices

You can purchase in advance tickets to all the Walker events (subject to availability). They will add a $3 processing fee to phone, mail and online orders.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Admission Prices

Admission to the Sculpture Garden is free and is open daily 6:00 a.m. to midnight. The Cowles Conservatory is a free admission and open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is closed on Monday.

Where to Eat

For modern dining and contemporary taste featuring Asian-influenced California cuisine, consider the 20.21 Restaurant & Bar by Wolfgang Puck. For reservations call 612-253-3410. Walker Art Center members can save 10% on 20.21 dining. This restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 5:30 to 10:00 p.m., Friday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 5:30 to 11:00 p.m., and a Sunday brunch from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Gallery 8 Café brings fresh ingredients to a casual setting featuring many delicious and seasonal selections of soups, salads and sandwiches. The Café is open Tuesday through Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Coffee Cart: Enjoy assorted beverages and signature snacks in the Bazinet Garden Lobby served by Wolfgang Puck.

Gallery Group Tours

There are disability accommodations available for visitors with physical or developmental disabilities and for people with visual or hearing impairment. You can call 612-375-7609 at least four weeks in advance for more information.

Hearing augmentation devices are available for events in the Cinema, Lecture Room, and the William and Nadine McGuire Theater. If you need a pair of headsets, these can be borrowed form the lobby desks free of charge.

Signed Interpretation

Signed interpretation is available for any Walker event. You will need to call the box office in advance. Telephone numbers are: 1-612-332-6000 and reservation line is 1-866-866-8086.

Where to stay:

The Millennium Hotel Minneapolis is within walking distance of the Walker Art Center. The hotel also offers easy access to commercial districts, dining, nightlife and other cultural activities.

By Connie Limon
Article Source: Vacation Ideas – The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Source: Walker Art Center Online

Important Disclaimer: The URL address in the resource box of this article is not associated with any of the attractions mentioned in this article. This article and the web site are offered as a resource for formulating vacation ideas.

© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

Written by: Connie Limon. For more vacation ideas visit http://smalldogs2.com/VacationIdeas For a variety of FREE reprint articles and special topic articles rarely found elsewhere visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com

It is no surprise that a city so focused on industry should have been so fast to leap on radio technology and use it to its fullest extent. The initial official, commercial radio station was constructed by the Cutting and Washington Radio Corporation in 1922 and was rated at 500 watts. On Labor Day, broadcasts begun under the moniker WLAG, and by year end, nine radio stations were now sending broadcasts: WBAD of the Minneapolis Journal, WAAL of the Minneapolis Morning Tribune, and WBAH from the Dayton Company. Eventually WCCO became one of the most important stations in the area and by 1929 it was made a clear channel station and raised in power.

Today, Minneapolis is much more than a flour and timber industry town, and its radio stations have went through constant development to become what they are now. The city has an attraction to a broad range of entrepreneurs and adventurers alike, and the narrow channels have now been replaced by such a energetic environment of different stations, from sports to music to news. This is a promising place for radio DJs and technicians as there is truly something for everyone when it comes to radios that are in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis radio schools range from the common to the extraordinary, and a you can profit from the experience of one or all of them, depending on where your interests are. After all, there are a lot of different jobs in the radio industry now. Not everyone has to be a DJ–there are radio engineers, production developers, and many other openings that help make radio be employed. Especially for the technical jobs, a lot of these openings do much better with college courses and training. In Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota has a Mass Communications degree that was designed to offer the framework necessary so one can be employed in the radio industry. One of the more important parts of the music scene is the Radio K program from the university, which was intended to promote music developed independently, and has proven to be one of the most prosperous projects of the university. Radio K is student led and features both in-studio performances from local bands and innovative music from groups like the Arctic Monkeys and Vampire Weekend.

Brown College also has degrees in Radio Broadcasting, and they have a extensive reach of classes on many technical aspects of this particular field. But if you want to be able to pick the brains of radio newscasters, DJs, or sports announcers, then it’s best to get a person-to-person experience. Several Minneapolis radio schools and similar programs match students in radio with the mentors for continued learning. Minneapolis Radio School provides one-on-one private instruction from local broadcast professionals. Learn from an on-air radio professional at the Radio Connection in your home town.

By Alex D Baker
Article Source: Minneapolis Radio School – Finding a Modern Place in a Rich History of Minneapolis Broadcasting