Timeline

Here’s a quick run down of the timetable and stages of the dot-art Schools annual competition.
Teachers – be reassured entering the competition is not a lot of work! You can download our Teachers Info sheet for details of exactly what you need to do.

Sign up

September to December

School sign up to participate in dot-art Schools

Submit Photos

February

Schools submit photographs of students’ artwork by half term. Competition entries are added to the school’s portfolio page on the dot-art schools website.

Shortlisting

March

Judging panel of respected arts professionals shortlist the top 3 entries from each school

Public Vote

April

The public vote online for their favourite shortlisted entry. The entry with most votes from each school wins a place in the exhibition.

Exhibition & Prize Giving

May-June

Schools frame their winning entry ready for dot-art to transport it to and from the exhibition. Guest judge selects overall winners and runners up at the exhibition and announces them at the prize giving ceremony. Students, families and teachers celebrate at exhibition preview. dot-art Schools Exhibition opens to the public.

The Judging Process

Each participating school submits up to 30 pieces of student artwork which are displayed on the dot-art Schools website on school portfolio pages in March. A panel of respected art professionals then shortlist the top 3 artworks from each school. Learn more about the judges here.

Judging Criteria

• Bearing in mind the restrictions of time, resources and the national curriculum we aim to celebrate high quality artwork happening within education settings.
• Judges select the young people’s work that they think shows talent and potential worth nurturing.
• Judges consider confident use of materials, technical skill as well as an imaginative approach to the work.

In April when the online public vote opens, everyone can vote for their favourite shortlisted artwork. The art work with the most votes from each school wins a place in the exhibition.

Exhibition & Prize Giving

Alongside the exhibition launch in June we hold two prize giving ceremonies (primary and secondary) for the students, their families and teachers. At this event our guest judge announces the overall winner and two runners up for each age group. The winners and runners up receive a selection of prizes kindly donated by our supporters each year. Certificates are presented to shortlisted pupils from each participating school, usually by the Lord Mayor.  The overall winning Year 9 student will have the opportunity to become part of dot-art’s Artist Membership scheme for 12 months and display their work alongside professional artists.