Q: What is Austin Art Boards? A: Austin Art Boards is a visual arts contest for local Austin Artists. 10 entrants will be selected to have their artwork displayed on billboards here in the Austin metro area. Q: What size do I make my entry? A: Artists are asked to size their piece to 6” x 24” and matted or mounted with a 2” border (sized to: 10x28). Application form contains a blueprint for specs. Q: How big will the final boards be? A: 14 x 48 feet wide. (The art will occupy an area of 12x48 feet, name and title will take up 2x48 feet) At this time we are not allowing extended space on the billboards. Q: Should I sign the piece? A: We ask that you do not, to preserve impartiality of the judging process. An area will be available on the final printed billboard with your name, title of the piece and the Austinartboards.org website. (Occupying 2x48 feet) Q: How many pieces can I enter? A: One entry per person, per year participating. Q: What is the subject matter? A: Be creative, do whatever you want, but don't feel like you need to design a billboard, this is NOT an opportunity to create an advertisement, but rather a chance to use billboard space for art. Q: Is this a graphic design contest where I get to design a billboard? A: Technically no. This is meant to be a visual arts contest, to highlight the amazing talent pool here in Austin Texas. Q: I cannot work in the 6" x 24" specifications; can you change the specs to a size I am comfortable with? A: Unfortunately no, the size was selected as it relates to our billboard structures. The unique size makes this more of a challenge, an invitation to Find a way to make your art, your visual signature work in a unique way. Pieces out of scale will not be considered for the project. Q: Where do I turn in my submission? A: Jerry's Artarama on IH 35 Q: Is anyone exempt from the project? A: Direct family members of this year's judging panel, AAB Board of Directors and Reagan Outdoor Employees will not be allowed to enter. Q: How long will the selected entries be posted in Austin? A: The boards will be up for the life of the vinyl, 1-2 years. Q: Who are the judges? A: Judges will be selected from the Austin Arts community. Gallery curators, artists and arts patrons will all be considered. (See Judges Page) Q: What media can I use? A: Anything you want. Collage, photo, pen & ink, acrylic... ANYTHING. If you work in sculpture and or ceramic, you can provide a photo of your work, but please be aware that whatever you choose to work in will ultimately be portrayed in a 2D printed recreation. Q: How will they be reproduced? A: Billboards will be printed digitally on a large format printer. Q: Can I stretch existing art to fit the 6x24 scale? A: You may, but be mindful that it will distort your work. Original pieces sized to 6" x 24" is the best way to approach the project. Q: Can I crop my work or create Diptych / Tryptic solutions from many works? A: Cropping is not a problem. Multiple pieces on one entry is also acceptable just be sure it does not become too cluttered. Outdoor works best when it is simple and eye catching. Outdoor art should think in these terms as well. Q: Where will the billboards be located? A: All over. These will be placed on our "Space Available" locations. As a board is sold to a paying customer, the art will be relocated. This may happen numerous times through out the campaign, so that artists’ work will not necessarily be in any one place for very long. Q: When can I get my artwork back? A: After the winners are announced, artwork will be available for pick up at Jerry's Artarama from mid-July to August 20th 2013. Q: When will we know if we won or have not. A: All entrants will be notified via email. Winning piece will also be announced via facebook, website and general press release within a month of final selection and posting. Q: Can I email my artwork? A: Absolutely... but the judging process may need to consider things like textures, vibrancy, and other qualities that may be lost in photo / emails. (Factoid: 100% of 2012's winners were hard copies, matted and mounted - 75% of honorable mentions were hardcopies). Q: If selected, where will my artwork be used? A: All selected art (winners and honorable mentions) will be scanned and used on the website and the facebook page to help market the project's in the following years. Q: Is this some rights grabbing contest where you use my work to sell cars or hamburgers? A: Absolutely not. The contest is meant to highlight local talent and give them the unique opportunity to see their work larger than life in front of a gallery of millions of motorists. Winning art will be used exclusively on select billboards and to market the project for future iterations. Q: Is there anything off limits as far as subject matter? A: Artwork containing profane language, nudity, offensive or racist content will be excluded from the judging process. Please use your best judgment. Q: Where do I get my artwork matted or mounted at that size? A: Jerry's Art-A-Rama is offering a 50% discount to Austin Art Board entrants. Jerry's Artarama • 6010 N IH 35 • Austin, TX 78752 • (512)420.9359 Q: I have digital files or photos, where do I get them printed? A: Holland Photo Imaging, here in Austin has agreed to print all Austin Art Boards entries for a discounted rate. Email them to: order@hollandphoto.com, they ask that you send them files that are minimally sized to 6x24 @ 200 dpi, maximum dpi of 300. Files should be saved as JPG file. You can also upload to their FTP site at: www.hollandphoto.com. We ask that entrants get their work to Holland for reproduction at least a week before deadline to accommodate production time. For any Questions you do not see here, email us at austinartboards@gmail.com