Destination Anywhere

This competition is open to young artists ages 16-25 living in the United States who have a physical, cognitive, or mental disability. A disability is defined as an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Previous award recipients are not eligible to apply.

The theme invites artists to consider the picture plane as a destination and to define their own interpretation of "anywhere." Applicants should submit four JPEG images of original work completed within the last three years. Eligible media include paintings and drawings (oil, watercolor, acrylic, pencil or charcoal), fine art prints (lithographs, etching, intaglio, or woodcuts), photography, computer generated prints, and two-dimensional mixed media. Artwork should not exceed 60 inches in either direction. There is no entry fee. A panel of distinguished practicing artists and arts administrators will select finalists based on the development of original ideas, imagination, competence, and skillful use of materials.

Selected artwork will be exhibited in Washington, D.C. during October 2006 at the S. Dillon Ripley Center of the Smithsonian Institution, then tour throughout the United States for approximately two years. The top three finalists will be honored at an opening reception on Capitol Hill in late September 2006. VSA arts is responsible for shipping costs and insurance. Artists will be notified by Friday, August 18, 2006. Volkswagen of America, Inc. reserves the right to reproduce selected artwork on posters and promotional items and to purchase artwork from the fifteen selected finalists at the artist's specified price.