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November 24, 2003
STATEWIDE COMPETITION TO HONOR COLLEGIATE ARTISTS
SPRINGFIELD - Recognizing the pivotal role the arts play
in a state's cultural landscape, the Illinois Board of Higher Education
(IBHE) has announced a major statewide competition for undergraduate
artists at Illinois colleges and universities.
The Annual Collegiate Artists Competition, open to all undergraduates,
will culminate in an awards ceremony and student art exhibition
next May at the University Galleries at Illinois State University.
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has endorsed the competition as a statement
of the value placed on the arts by the state.
"Art is a key to the quality of our cultural life, and I am
delighted to lend my support to this project to foster the creative
expression of college students throughout Illinois," Governor
Blagojevich said. "This arts competition will recognize student
artists and underscore the value we place on their contributions
to a rich and vibrant cultural life in Illinois."
IBHE Chairman James L. Kaplan welcomed the Governor's support for
the project and stated that the arts competition demonstrates that
even in lean fiscal times, colleges and universities can be innovative
in promoting the arts and serving the interests of students.
"The Board of Higher Education is delighted to offer this unique
opportunity to display and reward the artistic talents of our undergraduate
students," Kaplan said. "We anticipate this competition
will become a longstanding venue for showcasing the valuable work
of our fine arts faculty throughout Illinois higher education."
The Board, in partnership with the Art in Architecture program at
the Capital Development Board, will issue a Call for Entries for
the competition to all Illinois colleges and universities with undergraduate
students. There is no limit on the number of students who may enter
the competition from a single institution.
Students may enter artwork produced in the past year in any one
of eight categories: painting, drawing, photography, sculpture,
prints, fiber, ceramics/glass, and kinetic/electronic media. Students
will submit slides of their artwork for initial judging and may
submit up to three entries, all in the same category.
Michael Dunbar, a noted sculptor and Coordinator of the CDB Art
in Architecture program will serve as the principal juror for the
competition, selecting finalists whose artwork will be exhibited
at the ISU University Galleries from May 4 through July 3, 2004.
Selection of finalists will be based on quality, originality, and
presentation.
Finalists will be honored at a reception and awards ceremony to
open the exhibit at Illinois State. Each finalist will receive a
$250 award and will be eligible for additional awards recognizing
outstanding achievement, including:
- The Governor's Medallion of Excellence
- The Illinois Board of Higher Education Prize
- The Illinois Community College Board Award
- The Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities
Award
To ensure that students compete against counterparts at similar
institutions, the competition will divide colleges and universities
into four divisions-public and private institutions with enrollments
above 5,000, those with enrollments below 5,000, two-year public
and private colleges above or below 5,000 total enrollments.
The first year cost of the competition is estimated at $30,000.
Donations from college and university foundations and from higher
education organizations, as well as contributions from the corporate
community and philanthropic foundations will pay for the competition
and exhibition.
For more information, please visit Annual
Collegiate Artists Competition page.
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