1. ABOUT THE JUNIOR ART PRIZE

What is the Junior Signature Art Prize?

​The Signature Art Prize was established by gallery Directors Isobel Beauchamp and Elinor Olisa in 2007 to celebrate and identify emerging artists’ ‘Signature Style’. They define an artist’s ‘signature style’ as being “that which makes an artist unique; a combination of process and method, contributed to by the artist’s own personality which results in a piece that is unique and specific to them.”

 The Aldridge Junior Signature Art Prize is running alongside the Signature Art Prize for its fourth year, exclusively for KS4 and KS5 students from the family of Aldridge Schools.

The Junior Prize is made possible due to the generosity of the Aldridge Foundation’s sponsor, leading cyber security firm, Callsign.

Who can enter?

Any student in Y10, Y11, Y12 & Y13 attending the family of Aldridge Schools can enter the competition. The Junior Prize is open to all students, not just those studying a creative arts subject. Students are welcome to submit work that they have created in their own time, outside of school, as long as it fits within one of the five categories:

FINE ART | GRAPHICS | TEXTILES | PHOTOGRAPHY | FILM

*Please note that in the event that the number of entries in one category is too low, it may be removed from the competition, or combined with another category.​

2. APPLICATION PROCESS

Can I submit more than one piece of work?

Students are permitted to enter artwork into multiple categories but cannot enter more than one piece of artwork in the same category.

How do I submit my application?

Students should complete the online application form and submit high quality photographs of their artwork via to jahnai@degreeart.com with your Name, School, Category of Entry and Year Group.

If submitting a film entry, does it have to be sent in a certain format?

Students should upload files to a video hosting site, such as Vimeo, and provide a link to this where indicated in the application form.

Is there a maximum size limit (or film length) for entries?

Film submissions should be no longer than 30 minutes.

When is the deadline for applications?

The deadline for applications is Friday 6th January 2023.

If I have any questions about the competition who should I talk to?

Students should speak to their art teacher who'll be able to provide or find out the answers to any questions not included in this document. is document. 

2. JUDGING PROCESS 

How will my artwork be judged (criteria)?

Each entrant will be scored from 1-5 (5 being the highest accolade and 1 the lowest) in the following categories:

  • Quality of artistic composition

  • Creativity and originality

  • Success of description and/or title

  • Overall impression of the artwork

Who is on the judging panel?

Entries will then be reviewed and judged by a panel of esteemed industry professionals and representatives of the Aldridge Foundation and Callsign, who will announce their chosen finalists - three artists per category – in early 2023.

Depending on the number of submissions, there may be a shortlist selected and announced, prior to the finalists being announced.

What happens if I make it to the final?

Finalist’s artwork will be exhibited at a gala event at the design-led Bankside Hotel in London, alongside the main Signature Prize, in 2023, and a winner from each category will be chosen on the evening.

An overall winner will be selected from the category winners and awarded an internship with Artellite / DegreeArt.com - one of the UK’s first online galleries.

All finalists and a teacher from their school will be invited to London for a day exploring some of London’s top art galleries and a celebratory lunch before attending the exhibition in the evening.

3. EXHIBITION AND PRESS

If I am invited to attend the exhibition, who will pay for my travel?

The Aldridge Foundation will cover the cost of travel and work with the schools to make arrangements.

If I am invited to attend the exhibition, will I attend on my own?

A member of staff from the school of the selected student, will also be invited to attend.

 

Do I have to frame my artwork? 

Yes, all finalists will have to frame their work if it is appropriate to do so i.e. if you are submitting a piece of artwork in the fine art, photography or graphics category. The Aldridge Foundation will advise your teacher on preferred style so that they will be able to help you with this.

 

If artwork is to be hung, what fixings are required on frames?

Frames will need to have D-rings attached. The Aldridge Foundation will provide your teacher with details of where these can be purchased if your frame does not come with them readily attached.

 

How will I get my artwork to the exhibition?

The Aldridge Foundation will cover the cost of transporting the artwork to the exhibition and will work with the schools to make arrangements.

If my artwork is exhibited will I get it back?

Yes, all artwork will be returned to students unless they have chosen to sell their artwork at the exhibition. In advance of the exhibition, The Aldridge Foundation will confirm with each finalist whether or not they would like to advertise their artwork for sale and the price at which it will be sold. If sold, you will not get your artwork back.

 

Who will attend the exhibition?

A range of guests invited by Artellite, Callsign and the Aldridge Foundation – these could be potential art buyers, business partners, supporters, Trustees etc. This is a fantastic opportunity to promote your work!

 

If I am the overall winner and am offered an internship with DegreeArt, when will I do this?

The week-long internship will be most beneficial to someone who is 18 years old or above. If the overall winner is not yet 18, the offer will remain open to them until they are. Therefore the dates and logistics are all to be confirmed between Artellite and the winner.