2019 Prospectus

To download a PDF of this prospsctus, click here.

Submissions will be open March 11th through August 2nd, 2019 for the annual Art of Planetary Science show at University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL). The Art of Planetary Science is an exhibition of art, created from and inspired by the solar system and the scientific data with which we explore it. All media and levels of artists and scientists are encouraged to submit! We seek artwork from the following two categories:

Data Art is artwork created from scientific research or spacecraft data. This includes: visualizations of scientific information, ideas, or equations; images or graphics created for the purpose of scientific research; and images or visualizations related to the use or operation of scientific or technical instruments.

Fine Art is artwork created primarily for the sake of beauty, inspiration, and artistic self-expression. Artwork should be thematically linked to space, the solar system, astronomy, or related scientific fields. This includes traditional artwork (painting, drawings, sculpture, etc.) and astrophotography.

We reserve the right to change the category of any submitted piece.

Accepted Artwork

We accept almost any type of art that can be displayed on a wall, table, floor or screens. This includes: images, paintings, performance, photography, sculptures, glasswork, textiles, poetry, animations, films, mixed media, etc. Prints of original works are acceptable. You may submit up to three pieces by completing a separate submission form for each.

Please understand that while we would love to display all submissions, we may not be able to. This event is intended to bring two communities together, and we seek to be as inclusive as possible, but there are display space limitations. Previously submitted artwork is less likely to be accepted. Shortly after the close of submissions (August 2, 2019) we will notify all artists via email if there artwork has been selected for inclusion. Artists can expect a confirmation of inclusion no later than August 19, 2019.

Awards and Prizes

We will award a first, second, third place, and two honorable mentions in each of the two categories (Fine Art and Data Art). The Best of Show winner is selected from either of the two categories. All winners will receive a plaque. All participants will be named Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Participating Artists, and will be featured on our website. The show will be juried by professionals from both art and science fields.

Display Requirements

• All pieces of artwork weighting more than three pounds that are intended to be hung (e.g. canvases, framed pieces, aluminum prints, etc.) must have a hanging wire or hook.
• Pieces smaller than 8.5" x 11",  weighing under 3 lbs, and can be hung on a single thumbtack do not require a hanging wire or hook. These extremely lightweight pieces will be hung using sticky velcro strips or thumbtacks.
• Prints, photographs, drawings, printed written works, and other artwork on lightweight paper should be matted or mounted on sturdier material.
• Artists are welcome to provide personal easels for large or heavy pieces, though we reserve the right to display them however we see appropriate.
• 3D media will be displayed on table tops, the floor (for large pieces), or hung if appropriate.
• Artists should provide any desired stands, pedestals, ropes, etc.
• Videos are limited to 15 minutes in length, and should be in a format compatible with Windows Movie Maker (typically .avi, .mp4, .mov, .mpeg).
• All artwork must be ready to display upon delivery; artists not prepared by the final day of delivery risk exclusion from the show.

Insurance

Artists will be required to sign a loan agreement upon delivery for insurance purposes. This is filed with the University of Arizona’s Risk Management office. The insurance they provide is through the state of Arizona, and claims are filed directly with the Arizona Board of Regents. LPL technically cannot guarantee compensation in the event that a piece gets damaged, as the Arizona Board of Regents have sole discretion over compensation. Should something occur, a statement from the organizers as to what happened and a copy of your loan agreement will be provided to you for your claim.

Sale of Artwork

You may choose to list your artwork for sale at the event, however LPL cannot facilitate business transactions. We will provide a table at the entrance of the event, with a binder listing all pieces available for sale, along with your contact information provided during submission. Interested buyers will be responsible for taking down your contact information and initiating contact with you. There will be room on this table for displaying artist business cards if you choose to bring them. To ensure there is space for each artists’ cards, please do not bring larger advertisements. If you make a sale at or because of this event, we kindly suggest you donate 10%-20% to LPL to help sustain future The Art of Planetary Science events. This donation is not required.

Submission Image

Images of submitted artwork are extremely helpful to the organizers, and we strongly recommend you provide one with your submission. After submission, you will be linked to a website allowing you to upload an image. This link will also be included in your submission confirmation email. Acceptable file formats are jpg, pdf, png, gif, or tif.

Shipping Artwork

If your artwork is selected but you are unable to drop it off in person at LPL on the scheduled days, you may ship it to the address below by November 2nd, 2019. Shipping costs are the responsibility of the artist and all shipped work must arrive in the box and packaging in which it is to be returned, and include a prepaid return shipping label. Any shipped piece that does not come with a prepaid shipping label, or in packaging that cannot be reused must be picked up in person, or it will not be returned.  The University of Arizona is not liable for any damage that occurs during shipping. If shipping artwork please notify us (art@lpl.arizona.edu) so that we can email you the loan agreement form. This form, with your signature, must be included with the shipped piece.

Please ship to: The Art of Planetary Science

                  1629 E University Blvd.

          Tucson, AZ 85721

To submit artwork, please fill out the online submission form available on our website March 11th-August 2nd, 2019.

Important Dates: All times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST).

Drop off and pick up at the Kuiper Space Sciences Building, 1629 E University Blvd (at Cherry Ave. and University Blvd.).

See the Contact Us page for directions and maps.

If you need to make special drop-off or pick-up arrangements, please email art@lpl.arizona.edu.