Submission Process

  • Participants are obligated to submit their entries in one of the following formats: i) digitally, in a high-resolution format; ii) as a hyperlink to a website hosting the entry; or iii) if the entry is a physical object, as high-resolution photographs or videos (up to 5).
  • Submissions must include a descriptive explanation detailing the data source(s), visualization techniques employed, and the intended message or narrative conveyed.
  • Entries must be submitted exclusively through the designated competition platform or via the provided email address, within the specified timeframe.
  • Late submissions shall not be accepted or considered for evaluation.

Eligibility

  • This competition is an open call, welcoming submissions from both individuals affiliated with the University of Virginia (UVA) and non-affiliated artists.
  • The competition is open to all individuals or teams of artists, designers, data scientists, and enthusiasts, regardless of their skill levels.
  • Participants must be at least 18 years old or have obtained necessary parental consent to enter the competition.
  • Artists are permitted to submit multiple pieces or participate in multiple teams. 
     

Copyright and Ownership

  • Artists are exclusively permitted to submit works for which they possess the copyright ownership.
  • Artists retain full ownership of the works they submit.
  • By participating in the competition, artists grant the UVA School of Data Science non-exclusive rights to display, reproduce, and distribute the submitted works for promotional and archival purposes related to the "Data is ART" competition, both online and offline.
  • The organizing school shall provide proper credit to the artists whenever and wherever the works are displayed or used.
  • Artists are encouraged to consider sharing their work under an open access license. For more information, please refer to the provided link.

Evaluating and Judging

  • A panel of judges, comprised of experts in the fields of data visualization and art, will assess the submissions based on criteria such as creativity, aesthetics, storytelling, and the innovative integration of data.
  • The decision rendered by the judging panel is final and binding.
  • The organizing committee will curate the top submissions for further consideration.
  • Notifications regarding the competition outcomes will be communicated via email and/or the competition platform no later than the specified date. 
     

Awards and Recognition

  • The grand prize is $5,000.
  • The competition encompasses various categories, as determined by the organizers.
  • Additional prizes, including but not limited to honorable mentions, certificates, trophies, or monetary awards, may be granted to the winners within each respective category.

Exhibition and Display

  • Selected submissions will be showcased in a public exhibition for a duration of up to one year.
  • The UVA School of Data Science will ensure appropriate attribution to the artists during the exhibition.
  • The UVA School of Data Science will cover shipping expenses for winning physical entries to and from the school, up to a maximum of $500.
  • Insurance coverage for the exhibition should be confirmed. Please verify if the UVA umbrella policy includes provisions for such events. 
     

Data Usage and Indemnification

  • Participants are responsible for ensuring that any data used in their visualizations complies with applicable privacy regulations. Participants must appropriately anonymize the data or obtain necessary consent for public use.
  • Participants shall indemnify the UVA School of Data Science against any claims or legal actions arising from the unauthorized use or infringement of data rights. 

    If you have any questions about indemnification, contact dataisart@virginia.edu.

Competition Guidelines and Cancellations

  • The UVA School of Data Science retains the right to modify the competition guidelines or timeline, or to cancel the competition, in the event of unforeseen circumstances or insufficient participation.
  • In the event of cancellation, submitted works will not be used or displayed without obtaining explicit consent from the artists.
  • By submitting an entry to the "Data is ART" Data Visualization Competition, participants acknowledge that they have read and agreed to comply with all the competition rules and requirements outlined in this fine print.