All entries are in!

West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania High School students in grades 10, 11, or 12, are invited to enter their work in the 2021 Media, Art, and Design (MAD) Competition. Entries can be submitted online by clicking the link at the bottom of this page. The Submission Deadline has been EXTENDED! The  competition will close at 11pm on Monday, March 15, 2021. PLEASE NOTE: By entering the MAD Competition you are giving your permission for West Liberty University to display your entry (or entries) on this website, in videos, and on social media at the discretion of the MADFest committee. Since this is an educational competition with a public viewing and online delivery, all entries will be prescreened for content and quality. Excessive or gratuitous violence, language, sexual material, or any content that is deemed offensive, may be restricted from the competition at the discretion of the MADFest committee. The decisions of the MADFest committee will be final.

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2021 MADFEST COMPETITION CATEGORIES

TRADITIONAL

Any traditional artistic format, technique or medium. Includes drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed-media/collage*, printmaking, and photography**. If found works are used, the piece should be transformative of original content. Submit a high-quality image according to submission specifications below.   Traditional submissions must adhere to the following specifications:

• File format: JPG format.
• Color mode: Color (RGB) or Black-and-White (Grayscale)
• Image size: As close to the original size and scale as possible, but no larger than 1,000 pixels in the long direction. Do not enlarge works smaller than 1,000 pixels (approx. 14 inches). 
• Metadata: File naming must include the creator’s name, category, and title of the work. Example: “smith-traditional-sunset.jpg”

* Digitally produced drawings, paintings and mixed-media/collage works, including those created with a digital tablet, should be submitted to the Digital Imaging, Graphic Design, or Digital Illustration category depending on the work’s purpose. ** Traditional photographs may be taken with a digital or film camera, but must NOT be altered using digital imaging software. Photographs that have been altered and edited should be submitted to the Digital Imaging category.

DIGITAL

Digital imaging – Original art created using digital processes. This can include digital collage or composite techniques, vector graphics, digitally altered and edited photography, and digital works that include scanned objects or textures. If found works are used, the piece should be transformative of original content. Graphic design – Works that incorporate image and/or type to communicate a specific message to a target audience. Includes posters, logos, branding, creative typography, t-shirt designs, advertisements, magazine covers, book covers, and other formats that communicate a specific message to a target audience.  Digital illustration – Original illustration using digital methods and techniques. Limited to completely original digital works that support specific content derived from written text or other forms of conceptual content.  Animation – Stop-motion or software-based. Should not exceed 15 minutes in length. Submit YouTube* link for animation. Digital Imaging, Graphic Design, and Digital Illustration submissions must adhere to the following specifications:

• File format: JPG
• Color mode: Color (RGB) or Black-and-White (Grayscale)
• Image size: As close to the original size and scale as possible, but no larger than 1,000 pixels in the long direction. Do not enlarge works smaller than 1,000 pixels (approx. 14 inches). 
• Metadata: File naming must include the creator’s name, category, and title of the work. Example: “smith-digital-moonscape.jpg”

Animation submissions must adhere to the following requirements:

• Submit YouTube (or other reliable video streaming service) links. We cannot accept video files.
• Should not exceed 15 minutes in length. 

AUDIO

Original music – you may submit original compositions that you 1) produced by recording with a microphone (or microphones), or 2) created by using software such as Cubase, FL Studio, Logic Pro, GarageBand, Ableton Live, Protools, etc., or 3) a combination of 1 and 2. Radio spot – A radio commercial or “PSA” that you wrote, recorded, and produced. Audio documentary – A project which tells a story using interviews, field recordings, and facts about people, places, events, etc. Documentaries are always non-fiction. Other audio project – A project which is not described above. This could take the form of an abstract audio “collage”, a comedic piece, or any other non-traditional and undefinable piece. For all Audio entries:

• Submit an MP3 file.
• Entries will be judged on the quality of the recording and/or production, among other criteria specific to the type of submission.
• File naming must include the creator’s name, category, and title of the work. Example: “smith-audio-neptune.mp3”

VIDEO

To enter a video, submit a link from YouTube, Vimeo, or another reliable video hosting site. We cannot accept .mov, .mp4, or any other video file. We will only accept links. Short film – Fictional stories written and produced by the student (or group of no more than 3 students). Should include actors and production elements associated with contemporary storytelling. The film should not exceed 15 minutes in length. Documentary – Non-fictional stories produced by the student (or group of no more than 3 students). The subject must be true and based on factual information. Commercial – A video commercial which highlights a product or service, real or imaginary. Should not exceed 60 seconds in length. Other video project – A project which is not described above. This could take the form of something abstract in nature, a comedic piece, or any other non-traditional and/or undefinable piece.

Please Note: Animations should be submitted in the DIGITAL category, NOT the VIDEO category.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Why can’t I see my submission?

All submissions will be available for viewing on our website after the 2021 Competition has closed on March 7th. When you submit, however, you should receive an email confirmation. If you submitted pieces to MADFest 2021 but did not receive a confirmation, please contact us: [email protected].

What are the Prizes?

• JURORS AWARDS – Prize Money (in the form of a gift card) is awarded to the “Best of Show” winner. Category winners and runners-up will receive MADFest Certificates.
• SCHOLARSHIP – The “Faculty Choice” award goes to the High School student who shows great promise in one of the MADFest categories. This individual will be offered a $4000 Scholarship ($1000/year) to attend West Liberty University as a Major in one of these disciplines: Art, Music, Theater, or Communications. The recipient must enroll full-time at West Liberty University as a major in the College of Arts and Communication and maintain a 3.0 GPA. Note: other limits and restrictions may apply to this scholarship.

Who is eligible?

The MAD Competition is open to students in grades 10 – 12, who are currently enrolled in a public high school, private high school, or home school in the states of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

When and How Do I Enter My Work in the MAD Competition?

A submission portal will open January 11, 2021. Entries will only be accepted online.

How much does it cost to enter?

It is FREE to enter your work in the competition.

How many pieces may I enter?

High School students can enter a maximum of TWO Pieces in any combination of categories.

Will the entries be pre-screened?

Yes. Since this is an educational festival with a public viewing, television, and streaming, entries should be limited to a PG-type rating. Excessive or gratuitous violence, language, sexual material, or other such content may be restricted from the competition at the discretion of the festival organizers. All entries will be pre-screened by WLU for appropriateness of content and quality of work. This means that your work may not be allowed to enter the competition due to inappropriate content and/or poor quality as determined by the MADFest committee. MADFest committee decisions are final in this regard.

What formats should my files be in?

For Traditional Art, take a high-quality picture and submit your picture as a JPG or PNG file. For Audio, MP3 is the only allowable format. For Video, you must submit a YouTube link (or a similar online service such as Vimeo). We will only accept LINKS for video submissions. For Digital, you can submit either a JPG, PNG, or a video LINK.

Who are the jurors for the competition?

Jurors will be announced in January, 2021.

When will I know if I won?

Award announcements will be made during the MAD Festival Virtual Awards Ceremony, which will air on Friday, April 16, 2021. Since we are virtual, all award certificates and prizes will be mailed to the winners.

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CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT TO MADFEST 2021