The LIVE Art & Word Contest -- Adult is a way to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, engage people of Michigan's Upper Peninsula in open conversations and showcase the talent of the many people who live here.  The LIVE Art & Word Contest -- Adult is open to anyone in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan 18 years of age and older.  The theme for this year's contest is LOVE (yourself).  Scroll down to read the Rules & Guidelines, learn about the judging process and enter the contest.  (Note:  The Entry page will be open by December 1, 2024.)

Man working on pottery

To love yourself means to accept who you are because there is only one you. You have a unique set of abilities that only you possess. To love yourself also means to take care of your physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

LIVE Art & Word Contest -- Adult -- Rules & Guidelines

  • The LIVE Art & Word Contest - Adult is open to any individual living in Michigan's Upper Peninsula 18 years of age and older, including college and university students.
  • Individuals may enter any form of original artwork, including, but not limited to:  poetry, collage, song, photography, sculpture, graphic art, jewelry, quilting, dance, printmaking, mosaic, theater, painting . . . 
  • Each entry must address the theme:  LOVE (yourself) see above for the broader definition of LOVE (yourself).  
  • There are two categories:  Visual Art and Written Word. 
  • Entries must be created between November 15, 2024 and February 28, 2025.
  • Individuals may submit up to three entries in the contest.  A completed LIVE Art & Word Entry Form must be submitted for each entry.  However, only one entry is eligible for a monetary prize. (Note:  Entry Forms will be available by December 1, 2024.)
  • All submissions must be appropriate for general public viewing and sharing on social media.  If a submission is deemed inappropriate by the judges, the submission will be disqualified and you will be notified via email.  
  • All eligible entries will be shared on the LIVE@NMU's social media.  They will include some, or all, of the entry description.  Your name will not be shared on Facebook during the voting process.  Please do not share your entry prior to it being shared via the public voting process.  
  • Still images must be submitted as high-quality jpeg  or png attachments.  If an image is multi-dimensional, up to three images may be submitted for each entry.  
  • Written pieces may be submitted either as a jpeg or a pdf.   
  • Still images and poetry may not include your name or identifying information, unless it is part of the art itself.  For example:  self-portraits or a poem about a specific struggle that others are aware of ARE allowed.  Putting your signature on your artwork is NOT allowed.  If your name or identifying information is included on your entry and not a part of the art itself, it will be Photoshopped out, before being judged.  If you have any questions, please contact ampoirie@nmu.edu.
  • Important note:  If you include any resources in your entry (such as a crisis line number), please ensure that it is accurate information.  If an incorrect number is used on your piece, 5 points will be deducted from your total score.  
  • Completed LIVE Art & Word Contest Entry Forms must be submitted by Friday, February 28, 2025.    
  • You will receive a confirmation message once your entry has been submitted.  However, please continue to watch for further emails until the contest winners have been announced. Issues with your entry and contest announcements will be addressed by email. If we are not able to contact you and your entry is not complete, you will be disqualified 
  • Winners will be contacted in the spring of 2024, via email.  Please check your email on a regular basis, as additional information will be needed from the winners before checks can be presented.
  • Winners will be announced via social media in a special album, after winners have been notified.  Each winning entry will include the artwork, winner's name and may include some or all of the entry description.  
  • Please submit any questions to ampoirie@nmu.edu.

LIVE Art & Word Contest -- Adult -- Judging

  • All submissions must be appropriate for general public viewing and sharing on social media.  If a submission is deemed inappropriate by judges, the submission will be disqualified and you will be notified via email.  
  • Each piece of art will be judged by a group of individuals with a background in mental health, as well as a group of individuals with a background in art and/or word.  Both groups of individuals will have different criteria they are looking at in judging.  Individuals with a background in mental health will look at how the piece relates to mental health as well as an overall impression of the piece.  The group of individuals with a background in art or word will look at the more technical aspects of the piece, as well as how it relates to mental health.  The pieces will also receive a public vote on Facebook.  
  • Scoring will be as follows:  Mental Health Judges – 45%; Art Word Judges – 45%; Facebook Vote – 10%.    
  • Winners will be contacted in the spring of 2025, via email.  Please check your email on a regular basis, as additional information will be needed from the winners before checks can be presented.  

  • Winners will be announced via Facebook in a special album.  Each winning entry will include the artwork, winner's name and may include some or all of the entry description.