TRAVERSE CITY – Emerging artists now have a chance to get their “artUP,” achieve their big break, and earn $15,000 by entering the first artUP national arts competition in Traverse City. Finalists’ works will be displayed in downtowns, major shopping centers, and other public spaces in several major U.S. cities. Three Grand Prize winners will split $15,000 in total prize money.

In addition, each entry will be placed in an online “Artist Marketplace,” where more than 6,000 Britten clients will be able to view and purchase the artwork, creating an avenue for artists to earn money and connect with art and business professionals. The entry fee is $20 for the first entry and $10 for each additional entry. Students pay only $10.

The contest is sponsored by Britten, Inc., North America’s leading creator of large-format banners and displays. Britten is in a unique position to offer emerging artists public showcases, because the company creates and installs giant banners, billboards, signs, and displays in downtowns, stadiums, shopping centers, and public places in virtually every U.S. state; Britten will leverage these relationships to showcase artUP winners’ art.

The Guest Juror list includes a number of preeminent names in the industry, including an Associate Director of Print Production and Marketing Creative Services from ESPN, the Director of Visual Arts from the Interlochen Center for the Arts, a former Vice President of Herman Miller/SEGD Founder/Greystone Global team member, and the Founder of the Traverse City Arts Council/Chairman of Northwest Michigan College’s art department.

Artists may submit fine art, photographs, digital creations, logos and more. Examples might include a modest design such as a typeface, a color theme or background texture, or a painting or computer-generated design. Jurors will judge entries based on artistic merit, overall impression, creativity and originality, but most importantly how it could be applied to the large-format marketplace. Information and examples will be provided at ArtUpBrittenBanners.Com

The tentative schedule for the competition is as follows: The registration period is Aug. 15 through Nov. 1; 1,000 Semi-Finalists will be selected during the month of November and the first half of December, from which 300 Finalists and 30 Exhibitionists will be announced Dec. 15; Three Grand Prize Winners will be announced and showcased in large format at an Awards Ceremony Jan. 15, 2012.

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