The 2021 Jamaica Visual Arts Competition is currently accepting both adult and junior entries in the categories of: Painting, Photography, Drawing, Collage, Printmaking, Textiles/Fibre Arts, Sculpture/Assemblage and Graphic Design.

 

Persons who are interested in entering the competition may do so via the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) website www.jcdc.gov.jm

 

The competition, which is free for entry, will take place in a mostly virtual sphere this year due to the national social distancing protocols caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“We are excited to see the return of the Jamaica Visual Arts Competition this year despite the effects of the pandemic, as we know our talented artists right across the island have been patiently waiting for a chance to display their works, and receive impactful feedback from our adjudicators,” said Nicholas Rose, Visual Arts Development Specialist at the JCDC.

“This year the competition will be held virtually for the most part; our entrants will be required to upload images of their entries to our website for the first level of adjudication. Once our judges have selected the finalists, they will be contacted to make their pieces available for a final in-person live-judging, to ensure that the standard of the artwork lives up to the images originally presented. From here we will award our medals and certificates and their accompanying prizes,” Rose added.

Rose also noted that the 2021 competition is taking a keen interest in the special needs of differently-abled student entrants who are registered with an institution.

“The Visual Arts is an inclusive field, and as such this year we wanted to give special focus to our Special needs students, to ensure that they have the best entry and competition experience possible. Though these students are differently-abled, whether they are Deaf, visually impaired, or have a mental or physical disability, they are not limited in their artistic ability and so we have made a special effort to be inclusive of all of their varying needs,” Rose said.

Rose also noted that the Graphic Design category is a new category for the 2021 competition, and that he is looking forward to the growth of the category in the future.

Persons interested in entering the 2021 competition must first register for a JCDC ID number on the JCDC’s website, as the ID number will be required to complete their entry for submission. Entrants should also note that they are limited to a maximum of 5 entries per category.

Potential participants are also being encouraged to access the 2021 Jamaica Visual Arts rules and guidelines, via the JCDC’s website for additional guidance on this year’s entry process and competition cycle.

The deadline for entry for the Jamaica Visual Arts Competition is Monday, May 31, 2021.

The Jamaica Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition has been unearthing, developing and showcasing the creative talents of Jamaicans from all walks of life, giving them a platform for expression and contribution to the development of the local art industry for over 50 years.

Some of the noted and respected talents who have participated in the competition include Osmond Watson, Dr. David Boxer, Colin Garland, George Rodney, Christopher Gonzalez, Cecil Cooper, Alexander Cooper, Norma Rodney Harrack, Fitz Harack, Maria la Yacona, Howard Moo Young, Donnette Zacca, Errol Harvey, Owen Minott and Dr. Warren Robinson.