The LIVE Art & Word Contest -- High School 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 high school students who live here. The LIVE Art & Word Contest -- High School is open to any high school student in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, whether they attend a public school, private school, online school or are home schooled. 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.)
LIVE Art & Word Contest -- High School -- Rules & Guidelines
- The LIVE Art & Word Contest -- High School is open to any high school student in Upper Michigan, including homeschool students and those studying virtually.
- Students may enter any form of original artwork, including, but not limited to: poetry, collage, photography, sculpture, graphic art, essay, jewelry, quilting, printmaking, mosaic, painting . . .
- Each entry must address the theme: LOVE (yourself) see above for a 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.
- Students may enter up to three (3) submissions into the contest. A completed LIVE Art & Word Entry Form must be submitted with each entry. Each entry must be submitted separately. However, only one entry is eligible for a monetary prize.
- 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. If there is a concern on the content of your entry, your school and/or parents will be notified.
- All eligible entries will be shared on LIVE@NMU's social media. They will include some, or all, of the entry description. Your name will not be shared on social media during the voting process.
- Due to the nature of this contest, parent/guardian approval is required, even if the student is 18 years of age. If there are extenuating circumstances, please contact ampoirie@nmu.edu to determine an alternative.
- 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.
- Still images must be submitted as a high-quality jpeg or png attachment. 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 questions, please contact ampoirie@nmu.edu.
- If your entry requires more than three uploads, please contact ampoirie@nmu.edu to determine an alternative way to submit additional uploads.
- A completed LIVE Art & Word Contest Entry Form must be submitted by February 28, 2025.
- Students must submit their own entries.
- 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 announced via social media in a special album. 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 -- High School -- 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%; Social Media Vote – 10%.
- Winners will be contacted in the spring of 2025, via email before they are posted on social media. 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. Each winning entry will include the artwork, winner's name and may include some or all of the entry description.