FAQ

Archive Mode. Call MOPA 2023 Youth Exhibition ended on 5/8/23, 11:59 PM. Call settings are read only. See Current Open Calls

FAQ

Questions Answered Below:

  • How can this year's theme be interpreted?
  • What is an artist statement?
  • Which category should my artwork be under?
  • What is the selection process for the exhibition?
  • How do I resize my photos to meet the file size requirements?
  • How do I represent my non-digital artwork well?
  • How will I be notified if my artwork is accepted into the exhibition?
  • Will I be notified if my artwork is not accepted?
  • Will I get my artwork back?
  • How will the participating artists be recognized?

 

 

1. How can this year’s theme be interpreted?

MOPA encourages you to be creative with your interpretation of the theme! What do you think of when you think of "Exploration?" What might you photograph to show your thoughts and ideas?

Some ideas for interpreting the theme include:

  • Recreate scenes from your favorite travel experiences
  • Discover a new landscape
  • Consider the opposite of exploration and create what it means to be sedentary 
  • Create a video that explores who you are
  • Create a stop motion animation that represents travel by plane, train or automobile
  • Create a collage that represents your dream place to explore
  • Explore writing with light techniques to explore outer space  
  • Create a diorama of a new world 
  • Create a diptych, double exposure, or edited image that explores your identity 
  • Analyze a new area and photograph what you learn

 

2. What is an artist statement?

An artist statement is a brief written description (2-4 sentences) of an artwork written by the artist. A great artist statement gives insight into the artist's thoughts and feelings about the artwork. Personal stories and meanings make for strong artist statements. For MOPA's exhibition, artist statements must be under 100 words. 
See below for age-appropriate examples of artist statements from past Youth Exhibitions.

 

   

Rebecca Chitlik, A Shadow, Digital Photograph, 14 years old, Westview High School

"I always feel like I'm stuck in my sister's shadow. Not just because of our almost identical looks but because of her success. I now know that I'm not stuck in her shadow, I'm just following in her successful footsteps."  

 

   

Andrew Strimaitis, See Yourself, Digital Photograph, 15 years old, Cathedral Catholic High School

"I think dreams are like art making. You are in control but then you feel out of control. You are always trying to look at yourself and reflect on life."

 

Javeah Moore, The Snowy Cold Forest, Digital Photograph, 8 years old, Generations Center for Youth Advancement

"In my dreams I travel to Virginia where it snows. It is really snowy and cold. In my dreams sometimes a stranger appears who is lost in the snow. He says he is cold and his body is broken."

 

3. Which category should my artwork be under?

  • Digital Photograph: a digital photo taken on a digital camera, a cell phone camera, or an iPad
  • Silver Gelatin Print: a film photograph taken on a film camera and printed in a darkroom (35mm or 120mm film)
  • Alternative Process: a film photograph taken on instant film (Polaroid), a cyanotype or sunprint, a tintype, or any other old process such as an albumen print
  • Mixed Media: a collage, photographs that are physically combined together (cut and glued), photos that are combined with another material such as paint, magazines, emroidery, etc.
  • Digital Darkroom: a photograph that is created using digital manipulation or editing such as Photoshop, Lightroom, or other apps
  • Other: a photo created using any photographic process not listed here
  • Video: a video, moving picture, animation, or film (maximum of 2 minutes in length)

 

4. What is the selection process for the exhibition?

  • A panel of jurors (professional adults in the fields of art, education, government, etc.) will select final works to be exhibited on the basis of creativity & originality, interpretation of theme, quality, and artist statement. 
  • Jurors will view and rate each artwork on the submissions website. MOPA will accept a limited number of artworks depending on the gallery space available for the exhibition.
  • If you have a non-digital photo, see question #6, "How do I represent my non-digital artwork well" for tips on how to photograph your artwork to make it look great.

 

5. How do I resize my photos to meet the file size requirements?

WINDOWS USERS:

  • Select the photo you want to resize. Right click the file and select the option "resize pictures"
  • Choose small, medium, or large
  • OR click the "advanced" tab to set specific dimensions
  • Change the size of the longest side of your photograph to be between 2400 px - 4600 px
  • Keep the resolution between 100 - 300
  • Image files must be under 4 MB, audio/video/PDF files must be under 25 MB

MAC USERS: Resizing in Preview*
*Preview will not give you the option to keep the original file. Make a duplicate copy of the photo before following the steps below in order to keep your original file.

  • Open the photo in Preview
  • Click "Tools" then "Adjust Size" in the menu bar
  • Enter desired dimensions. Select "fit into: custom" and set the width and height measurement to "pixels"
  • Change the size of the longest side of your photograph to be between 2400 px - 4800 px
  • Keep the resolution between 100 - 300
  • The "resulting size" will be shown on the bottom
  • Image files must be under 4 MB, audio/video/PDF files must be under 25 MB
  • Click "ok" and close the window to save your new file automatically

 

ONLINE APPLICATIONS & PHOTO SOFTWARE

  • Use an app, such as ResizeIt, or online platform, such as picresize, to resize your photos.
  • Photo software such as Photoshop also offers options for resizing photos. Select "Image" then "Image Size." The steps are similar to resizing in Preview on a Mac. 
  • Image files must be under 4 MB, audio/video/PDF files must be under 25 MB

 

NOT WORKING?

  • If you are having difficulties getting your photo to resize correctly, feel free to email yx@mopa.org for assistance.

6. How do I represent my non-digital artwork well?

  • View this video or this article for detailed tips on photographing mixed media, collages, and other non-digital photographic artworks.
  • Use natural lighting (no flash)
  • Tilt your camera to match the angle of the artwork
  • Hold still (or use a tripod!)
  • Use a plain background (a white wall is usually best)
  • Fill the frame with your artwork (only show a sliver of background)

7. How will I be notified if my artwork is accepted to the exhibition?

  • All registered users will be notified by email of accepted artworks.
  • It is important that you provide accurate contact info so that we can contact you regarding your submission. Add yx@mopa.org to your contacts and double check your spam folder to be sure you receive our emails.
  • At the close of the jurying, all jury results will be posted on this Art Call submission website and can be accessed by logging into the registered user's account.

8. Will I be notified if my artwork is not accepted?

  • Yes. All registered users will be notified by email of artwork that is not accepted into the exhibition. 
  • It is important that you provide accurate contact info so that we can contact you regarding your submission. Add yx@mopa.org to your contacts and double check your spam folder to be sure you receive our emails. 
  • At the close of the jurying, all jury results will be posted on this Art Call submission website and can be accessed by logging into the registered user's account.
  • We encourage you to submit again next year if you are not accepted this year!

9. Will I get my artwork back?

  • After the close* of the exhibition, students will have an opportunity to pick up:
  • Original, non-digital artwork (film photo, collage, 3D, etc) that was brought in for display
  • Students MAY also have an opportunity to pick up the printed version of their digital submission depending on the nature of the exhibition.
  • The Museum will send early notification of specific pick up dates via email to all participants. Every effort will be made to schedule an accommodating variety of dates.
  • After the final pick up date has passed, the Museum will dispose of any remaining artwork or it may become property of the Museum. 

*Occasionally MOPA has the opportunity to extend the exhibition in the community. We will contact all participants in the case that the exhibition gets extended and artwork return is delayed.

 

10. How will the participating artists be recognized?

  • Students artists accepted into the Youth Exhibition will... 
  • Have their artwork displayed in an exhibition professionally designed by MOPA
  • Be invited to attend the Opening Reception for the exhibition