Eligibility 
The ArtsFwd “Business Unusual” Innovation Stories Contest (the “Competition”) is open to all 501(c)3 arts and culture organizations.

An Entry is made in one or more of the following categories:

  • Engaging audiences: Strategies design to engage audiences and the wider community in new ways.
  • Co-creating with the public: Projects and programs that engage the public in co-creating arts activities.
  • Using the web and technology: Initiatives that use the web and technology to create and engage with artistic experiences.
  • Reconsidering the role of the artist: Innovations that reconsider the role of the creative artist in the organization.
  • Partnering or merging organizations: Stories of organizations partnering and merging for greater reach and impact.
  • Other: Innovation Stories of all stripes welcome.

There is no limit to the number of entries that may be submitted by any entrant organization, nor is there a limit to the number of categories you may enter. A completed online entry form must accompany each entry.

Previous participants in EmcArts programs are encouraged to submit.  However, projects that have already been profiled on ArtsFwd are not eligible.

Employees or contractors of EmcArts (the “Sponsor”) and of the Sponsor’s parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries and advertising/promotional agencies, and the members of their immediate families and households are not eligible. Entrant must have a valid email address to enter. Void where prohibited by law.

Unacceptable Material
Entries that contain pornographic material, propagate “hate” messages, make defamatory statements, or which are otherwise extraordinarily offensive are not eligible.

Disqualification
Ineligible entries may be disqualified at any phase of the Competition without notification.  Entries not containing the required information and entries submitted or received after the Entry Period will be disqualified. Any attempted form of entry other than described herein is void.

Acknowledgment of Entries
Entrants will receive an email acknowledgment when an Entry has been received.

Terms and Conditions of Entry/Usage
The Competition assumes all entries are original and the Entrant either owns the work or has permission from an the Chief Executive of the entrant organization to enter the work, with all rights granted therein. In the event that an Entrant without such rights submits an entry, the entrant will not be eligible for the Competition. The Competition is not liable for any copyright infringement on the part of any Entrant.

Submission of any Entry acknowledges the right of EmcArts to use it for exhibition, promotion and publication purposes in any medium.

Timely submission of an Entry meeting the eligibility requirements and payment of the Entry Fee as stated herein ensures that an Entrant’s work will be reviewed and considered for recognition. No other representation or warranty is made by EmcArts concerning Entries and all implied warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed.

If an Entry receives an award, the manner and details of announcing such nomination and award is strictly within the discretion of the Competition. Entrant understands that all awards may not be given or publicized in the same manner and some might be presented in a ceremony and others might not.

Entry Fees
There is no entry fee.

Detailed Entry Instructions
Entrants must complete and submit the Official Entry Form between 12:00:01 AM (ET) on May 24, 2012 and 11:59:59 PM (PST) on June 30, 2012 (“Entry Period”). An Entry is considered processed after a completed entry form is received by the Competition. The Competition reserves the right to re-categorize Entries and to create new categories if appropriate.

The Entry Form requires the Entrant to select a Category for the Entry, to provide name, address, email address, no less than 2 and up to 4 JPG images of the Innovation Story; and a written statement not to exceed 500 words describing the Innovation and explaining why it deserves to win the ArtsFwd Innovation Story Contest.

Entries delivered in person, by mail, by fax or by any other means will not be accepted.

Contact
For questions or comments related to the ArtsFwd Innovation Story Contest, please contact Karina Mangu-Ward at kmangu-ward@emcarts.org. The Sponsor is not responsible for malfunctions of electronic equipment, computer hardware, software, malfunctions of the Entrant’s email provider, lost, late, incomplete entries or entries not received in time for the judging. The Sponsor is not responsible for problems downloading or accessing the Entry Form from the website or for any other technical problems related to website entries. The Sponsor reserves the right to modify, suspend or terminate the Competition in the event that it becomes infected by a computer virus or is otherwise technically impaired and award prizes from among all eligible entries received prior to cancellation or termination. In the event of a dispute regarding the identity of the person submitting an online entry, the entry will be deemed to be submitted by the person in whose name the e-mail account is registered. Normal Internet access and usage charges imposed by your online service will apply.

Judging/Selection of Winners

Semi-Finalists will be selected by EmcArts team by August 1, 2012 and may be asked to provide additional information.  Finalists and the Winner will be selected by EmcArts team, a panel of 3 individuals active in the sector, and voting by a general audience, by September 15, 2012.

Innovation critique is not an exact science. Accordingly, the weight given to each criterion will vary with the goal of each submission. The Finalists will be announced on ArtsFwd in September 2012.

General

Neither the Sponsor nor its parent, subsidiary, or affiliate companies, nor their respective promotional agencies shall have any obligation or responsibility with regard to (i) entries that contain inaccurate information or that do not comply with these instructions; (ii) entries or notifications that are lost, late, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible, damaged, or otherwise not received by the intended recipient, in whole or in part, due to computer or technical error of any kind; (iii) telephone, electronic, hardware, software, network, Internet, or computer malfunctions, failures, or difficulties; or (iv) any damages or losses of any kind caused by any award or resulting from the acceptance of any award. The Sponsor in its sole discretion reserves the right to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process or otherwise disregarding these instructions. Sponsor further reserves the right to cancel, terminate, or modify the Competition if it cannot be completed as planned because of infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, or technical failures of any sort. Entry materials/data that have been tampered with or altered are void.

Resolution of Disputes

This Competition is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is not available to those residing in jurisdictions where such competitions are prohibited. Issues concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York. All disputes arising out of or connected with this Competition will be resolved individually, and without resort to class action, exclusively by binding arbitration under the auspices of JAMS (Judicial Arbitration and Medication Service) in New York City, New York. These Official Rules will bind all entrants, and their respective heirs, representatives, successors and permitted assigns. These Official Rules supersede any prior oral or written agreements relating to rules or procedures for the Competition. These Official Rules may be changed at any time, but only by the Sponsor and only by posting new rules. These Official Rules will not be construed to impose upon the Sponsor any obligations for any losses, debts or other obligations incurred by any entrant.