Who Can Participate
This competition is open to every creative mind on the planet (Humans-only).
Project Description
The Museum of Science Fiction is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization, which seeks to establish a science fiction museum in Washington, DC. As an initial step, the museum will build a temporary, semi-permanent preview museum, which will be used to:
- Establish an immediate presence for the Museum in Washington DC, and generate excitement and media interest in a future, full-size museum.
- Solicit donations through fundraising events.
- Test innovative, new technologies and gain insights into the visitor experience to inform planning for a future, full-size museum.
Additionally, the Preview Museum exhibits will:
- Engage and educate visitors with compelling content, design, programming, and state-of-the-art visual and digital installations.
- Create a social hub for the science fiction community.
- Be seen as a comprehensive source of science fiction knowledge.
- Demonstrate the educational potential, particularly in the STEM fields, of a science fiction museum.
Museum Description
The full-scale museum will be composed of seven permanent galleries designed to celebrate and encourage the very human tendency to always ask: “What if?”
The visitor will learn that science fiction is a form of rational speculation that has influenced and has been influenced by scientific and technological progress for centuries. Its primary objective is to entertain and to infuse storytelling with threads of science that help push the bounds of what is possible in an effort to explore the human condition. Anchored by science, science fiction can open credible vistas of speculation and contemplation, making their consideration even more compelling and powerful.
Submissions can also include certain themes that examine science fiction’s influence on society and the impact science fiction has had on culture. Four major themes include:
Speculation Science fiction is speculation. By simply asking “what if?” science fiction has allowed humanity to expand the limits of imagination and explore endless possibilities. Science fiction transports us to other worlds, lets us visit different dimensions, allows us to travel through time, and even to experience alternate realities. Along the way, science fiction encourages us to reflect on our own society by exploring social issues, from imperialism and colonialism to more sensitive racial issues.
Exploration Science fiction is a tool for exploring not only the universe, but humanity as well. It reflects our curiosity and the desire to expand boundaries, to colonize new frontiers, both on Earth and beyond. But, science fiction also allows humanity to look inward by holding a mirror to society and exploring what makes us human.
Innovation Science fiction has led to real world innovation. Real-world innovation in turn drives the creative thinking that fuels science fiction.
Inspiration Science fiction uses the extraordinary to inspire people to dream and envision a better world. Many of history’s most influential scientists were inspired by science fiction to make the world a better place.
For a detailed description of each gallery please visit: http://www.museumofsciencefiction.org/proposed-galleries
Museum Galleries
- The Creators (and The Humans)
- Other Worlds
- Vehicles
- Time Travels
- Aliens, Creatures, and Altered Life
- Computers and Robots
- Technology
Competition Description
Artists are encouraged to create a science fiction themed image that relates to one of the Museum’s seven galleries described above. Motives, topics, storytelling, media (ie. film, television, literature, comics, and video games), and graphical styles are open and limited only by the ideas and imagination of the artist.
Awards
The jury will select one winning entry from each gallery theme and the overall winner will receive a grand prize of $1,000. Additional awards include a people’s choice award (conducted on Facebook) and the executive director’s award. Submissions may be used to promote the Preview Museum.
Submission Requirements
Artists may submit digital images that relate to one of the seven galleries described above. The digital image shall be a JPEG file of 300 dpi resolution. The file size must not exceed 15 MB. Width to height proportions are unrestricted and at the artist’s discretion. Images shall not include text such as titles or descriptions unless part of the graphic. Title for images together with the entry number shall be included in the file name.
Registration numbers will be provided upon request. A $10 submission fee is paid at the time of uploading the entry image.
Submission Procedure
Request your registration number from: [email protected]
Upon registration, the artist will receive an entry number and further upload directions. The assigned entry number must be included in the file name. Final entries shall be uploaded to one of the seven gallery’s ftp servers. Submission fee is $10 per entry. Artists may submit multiple entries.
Schedule
Registration deadline: January 31, 2015
Submission deadline: February 28, 2015
Jury meeting: March 15, 2015
Winner announcements: March 16, 2015
Awards
Grand Prize: $1,000
Gallery Category Prize: $250 (7 winners)
Executive Director’s Award: $250
People Choice Award: $250
Email any questions to: [email protected]
