Data Is ART

What does Truth look like in data? 

This year’s Data Is ART competition invites you to explore that question through creativity and design. Participants are encouraged to transform raw data into visually compelling works that do more than inform. Submissions should uncover insights, evoke emotion, and reveal deeper layers of meaning within the data. Whether you choose bold visualizations, mixed media, or unconventional design techniques, the goal is to create art that captures truth and encourages viewers to see our world and data in a new light. 

Launched in 2024 to celebrate the opening of the University of Virginia School of Data Science’s new building, the Data Is ART competition is a bi-annual showcase of creativity, innovation, and the power of visual storytelling. The competition invites artists of all ages, disciplines, and mediums to submit original data-inspired work that reflect the year’s theme.

A panel of jurors will select a group of finalists whose pieces will be displayed in the School’s public gallery space, highlighting the intersection of data and design. The competition culminates in a spring awards ceremony and reception, where the winner, runner-up, and People's Choice Award recipient are announced. This event brings together artists, data scientists, and members of the broader community to celebrate the power of data to illuminate, inspire, and connect.

The Data Is ART Competition is sponsored by the University of Virginia School of Data Science. For questions about the competition and submission guidelines, contact dataisart@virginia.edu.