NIFCA 2025 VISUAL ARTS ENTRY FORM

 

NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE FESTIVAL OF CREATIVE ARTS2025-

VISUAL ARTS – (Fine Art, Craft and Photography) –

JUNIOR & NON-PROFESSIONAL

1. NAME OF THE COMPETITION

 

1. 1.      The name of the Competition shall be the NIFCA Visual Arts – Junior & Non-Professional competition (the “Competition”) which comprises Preliminaries, Finals and a Showcase of medaled work and is organised and administered by the National Cultural Foundation (the “NCF”).

 

2.       These rules apply to those persons wishing to enter the Competition in the Fine Art, Craft and Photography Categories. 

 

2. ELIGIBILITY

 

1.       Persons wishing to enter the Competition must be:

1. Citizens of Barbados or
2. Legally resident in Barbados

 

2.       If the entrant is not a citizen or legal resident of Barbados he/she must present evidence to show he/she is actively pursuing legal residence.

 

3.      Entrants in the Competition must be at least 7 years old by September 1, 2025. An entrant is eligible to participate in the Junior Category of the Competition where his/her age is 7- 17 years old by September 1, 2025. All other entrants will be adjudicated in the Adult Category. Children aged 3 – 6 years old may participate for exhibition only.

 

3. ENTRY TO THE COMPETITION

 

1.       To enter the NIFCA Visual Arts competition, persons must properly fill out the relevant online registration form and submit it to the NCF by or before 4.00 p.m. via the NCF website: www.ncf.bb by the indicated dates.

• • Persons requiring assistance with online registration may do so by appointment at the Queen’s Park Gallery during the week of Monday, September 1st–Friday, September 5th for individuals, and for schools September 15 – 19, 2025.

2.       Registration deadlines are as follows:

 

1. Registration Deadline for Individuals, Junior (Non-Schools) or groups for Fine Art, Craft and Photography is on or before Saturday, September 6th 2025. Fine Art and Photography Images should be uploaded at this time.
2. Registration Deadline Primary and Secondary Schools for Fine Art, Craft and Photography on or before Wednesday, September 24th, 2025.

 

3.       Participants whose registration has not been received by the NCF by the deadlines indicated at 3.2 above shall not be eligible for participation in the competition. No registrations will be accepted after these closing dates.

 

4.       Entry to the competition is open to individuals or groups.

 

5.       A maximum of 2 entries (in any category) is permitted for individual entrants.

 

6.       All group registrations must be submitted by the designated leader of the group. A maximum of 30 entries per school/group is permitted.

 

7.       Entry to the competition is open to individuals or groups.

 

8.       Participants under 18 years of age on September 1st, 2025 must have their registration forms submitted by the teacher, parent or guardian. School entries must be registered on one (1) form, stating the number of entries and listing: names of artists, titles, mediums and value.

 

9.       All registrations submitted by the deadline will be confirmed by an automatic email to the designated address.

 

10.       The NCF reserves the right to satisfy itself that the conditions relating to age are met.

 

11.       All entries must be original and not previously shown in any NIFCA Visual Arts (Fine Art, Craft and Photography) competitions.

 

12.       Work must have been completed within the last three (3) years.

 

13.      The NCF reserves the right to reject any exhibit that may be considered not to be within the bounds of good taste. The determination of an entry exceeding the bounds of good taste can be made when, in the opinion of the Judges, such an exhibit is:

 

1. 1. indecent or obscene,
   2. capable of being defamatory,
   3. capable of promoting discrimination against or intolerable ill-feeling toward any class of persons, by virtue of a distinguishing characteristic of that class, such as race, religion, ethnicity, colour, social class, sex, gender, sexual orientation and other such characteristics,
   4. calculated to intimidate another person or is likely to promote violence,
   5. calculated to cause or subject another person to unreasonable ridicule, contempt or embarrassment,
   6. of such a nature as is likely to bring the Competition or the NCF into disrepute, or
   7. beyond the expectation that a reasonable person, who is neither unusually sensitive nor unduly indifferent, would have in respect of conduct at a Competition such as this.

 

14.       In determining whether a participant should be disqualified for an entry exceeding the bounds of good taste, the Judges should also have regard to whether the participant acted in good faith.

 

4. ARBITRATION

 

1.       Prior to the deadline for submission of Entry Forms, the NCF shall appoint an Arbiter to decide and adjudicate on any appeals, complaints and matters in dispute or requiring clarification arising from these Rules.

 

2.       All complaints related to the Competition must be submitted, in writing, to the Arbiter, in a sealed envelope addressed as follows:

 

The Arbiter

National Cultural Foundation

West Terrace

St. James

3.       All decisions made by the Arbiter will be final.

 

5. ADJUDICATION

 

1. A panel of Judges shall be selected for the adjudication of the Competition; 
2. The NCF shall determine the composition of the panel of judges and shall appoint a member of the panel to be Chief Judge; 
3. The names of the Judges shall be publicly announced before the commencement of the Competition;

 

6. SUBMISSIONS

 

1.       This year’s competition will be partly decentralized:

 

– Schools are required to display their entries (maximum of 30) at their locations in a preliminary exhibition that will be visited and judged onsite. Each school is encouraged to maintain its exhibition for a minimum of 1 week. Top awarded works will be selected for central display in November.

– Digital images of Individual Children Fine Art and Photography entries are to be uploaded as part of the online registration process.

– Preliminary judging of these works will be done online.

– Works selected for Finals assessment must be delivered to the assigned location for further judging.

– Photography that merits further assessment in the Finals is to be printed and delivered to the indicated location.

– Only those works that medal at this Finals stage will be retained for exhibition. The results will be known at the opening of the Medal Showcase exhibition.

– Digital images of Adult Fine Art and Photography entries are to be uploaded as part of the online registration process. Preliminary assessment of these works will be done online. Fine Art work selected for the Finals should be delivered to the indicated location for final judging. Only those works that medal at this Finals stage will be retained for exhibition. The results will be known at the opening of the Medal Showcase exhibition.

– Photographic work that is selected for Finals judging should be printed, mounted and delivered to the indicated location.

– Adult and Junior (non-school) Craft entries must be delivered to a location to be advised for judging. Works that medal will be retained for display and judging for special awards.

 

2.       All persons registered for the competition will be advised of the locations of the exhibitions prior to the submission dates. 

 

3.       Important dates

• • • • REGISTRATION

      • Registration Deadline for Individuals, junior (Non-Schools) or groups for Fine Art, Craft and Photography: on or before Saturday September 6^th, 2025

        Fine Art and Photography Images should be uploaded at the time of registration.

        Registration Deadline for Primary and Secondary Schools for Fine Art, Craft and Photography: on or before Wednesday, September 24^th, 2025. 

      • SUBMISSIONS FOR PRELIMINARY JUDGING

      • Viewing and Judging of Junior displays: Schools
        October 20-31^st, 2025

        Delivery of Adult and Junior (non-school) Craft entries
        October 20-31^st, 2025

        Set-up and Judging of Adult and Junior (non-school) Craft entries
        October – 24^th – 27^th, 2025

        Online preliminary Judging of Adult and Junior (non-school) Photography and Fine Art
        Saturday September 27^th – Saturday October 11^th, 2025

        Delivery of all finalist entries to Queens Park Gallery and Steel Shed for Final evaluation
        November 5^th – 9^th, 2025

        Evaluation of Finalist work Nov 10^th– 12^th

        Grand Opening of NIFCA Medal Showcase Exhibitions
        Saturday November 15^th, 2025

        Final day NIFCA Visual Art Medal Showcase Exhibitions.
        Saturday December 6^th, 2025

        Collection/return of all Finals exhibits.
        Sunday December 7^th – Tuesday December 9^th, 2025

7.0 FINE ART AND CRAFT

 

1. The competition is open to Fine Art and Craft submissions that conform to the following: 

1. 1. All paintings, graphics and drawings must be properly mounted and equipped with substantial hanging material (e.g. wire, screw-eyes) where needed;
   2. The use of plexiglass rather than glass is encouraged;
   3. No saw tooth hangers, hooks or string will be accepted.
   4. Artists are responsible for providing special materials and installation of three-dimensional work requiring a special presentation.  Any works weighing over 50 lbs must be installed by the artist;
   5. Creative wall hangings, textiles and batiks must be substantially equipped with hooks or hangers.
   6. Double matting will be permitted, but must not exceed ¼” in thickness overall;
   7. Wall pieces may not exceed seven (7) feet (eighty-four (84) inches) in height.  All pieces must be able to fit through a standard doorway space;
   8. Paintings must be completely dry; no wet or semi-wet paintings will be accepted;
   9. Failure to comply with the specifications may result in disqualification of entry;

 

2. Entry tags must be attached to the back of the work in the lower left hand corner or bottom of sculpture or vessel. Tags should hang below the work;

 

3. Individual Participants and teachers of art submitting entries from schools and other social groups must ensure that their work is properly labeled on submission to the exhibition (inclusive of title of piece, age category and medium).

 

4. ALL participants and art teachers must ensure that names of entrants are correctly spelt. A list with the correct spelling of each entrant’s name for purposes of cross referencing by the NCF, must be included on registration. Any work submitted with incomplete information will not be accepted.

 

5. The displaying of the exhibitor’s address and telephone number on the exhibition tags is optional and may be omitted. All contacts must however be submitted on the registration form for inclusion in the NIFCA database and updated if necessary on submission of the entries.

 

6. The National Cultural Foundation will handle all sales realized during the exhibition and shall retain a commission of 30% of the value of the sale. Entries that are not for sale must have the value stated for insurance purposes. No changes will be permitted as to price, item or title, after tags are received by the artist without authorization by the National Cultural Foundation.

 

JUDGING CRITERIA – FINE ART / CRAFT

All entries will be judged in the following areas:

 

Children:

 

FINE ART

Interpretation of Theme/Topic25

Use of elements25

Expression/Creativity45

Presentation5

 

FINE CRAFT

Interpretation of Theme/Topic25

Originality – (Concept, Use of
Materials, Process, Function)20

Expression/Creativity25

Artistic and/or Functional Value25

Presentation5

Adult:

 

FINE ART

Subjective (interpretation of theme)30

Elements/Principles25

Use of Medium/Media40

Presentation5

 

FINE CRAFT

Interpretation of Theme/Topic30

Original Concept (Authentic design)30

Craftsmanship35

Finish/Presentation5

 

2. PHOTOGRAPHY

 

1. All photographs to be judged must be taken in Barbados and must be the original works of the entrant, the sole creator and owner of the image. 

 

2. The work to be judged shall not have been entered in any previous NIFCA competition or Exhibition.

 

3. The National Cultural Foundation shall not be liable for any claims or complaints from any persons or on behalf of locations depicted in entered photographs, should these photographs be published or exhibited.  Such arrangements shall remain the responsibility of the entrant, who must ensure that the required permission has been granted to include photographs of personal and private images, models, buildings etc. for the purpose of the exhibition, and promotion.

 

4. 4. Photographs that attain bronze, silver and gold designation shall be printed and mounted for display in the Finals.

 

5. Photographs once hung shall remain for the duration of the exhibition.

 

6. The National Cultural Foundation will handle all sales realized during the exhibition and shall retain a commission of 30% of the value of the sale. Entries that are not for sale must have the value stated for insurance purposes.

 

7. Failure to comply with any of the competition rules or with copyright law shall disqualify any entrant. The National Cultural Foundation shall not be responsible for any claims or damage arising from any violation of the competition rules and/or copyright or any other law. The Foundation reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary, including the withdrawal of prizes and the public nullification of a result.

 

8. Photographs or mounts shall bear no names and shall be submitted with key rings/brackets ready to hang.

 

9. 9. Each photograph shall be labeled with its own identification tag. Tags for identification of photographs will be made available at the submission venue on the dates for the receipt of photographs. Inclusion of contact information on the tags is optional.

 

10. Each photograph shall be submitted with a title. Photographs or exhibits labeled as “Untitled” will not be accepted.

 

11.       The Exhibition is ONLY open to digital photographic prints. All entries for Finals shall be made in the following formats:

 

– The short side of the print (not including the matt or frame)shall measure no less than 8″ and the long side no more than 24″. An exception is made in the case of a photo essay where 8″ x 10″ photographs will be accepted.

– The format for prints by Junior entrants (ages 7 – 17 yrs) shall be no less than 8″ X 10″.

– Photographs shall be window-mounted with a border (black, gray, white, off-white only) of not less than 2″ using a backing card, foam-core or plywood, not exceeding 1/2′ in thickness.

– All entrants must submit digital copies of photographs for Judging on registration.

– Prints submitted to the Final assessment and exhibition shall not be framed or mounted behind GLASS.

 

12.       Entries shall be judged in the categories indicated by the participant. There shall be no re-categorizing of entries by the judges. 

 

13.       Please note that black and white as well as colour photographs will be judged together.

 

14.       Categorizing photographs for competition

 

The following categories and guidelines shall be used in the selection of photographs entered in the competition:

1. 1. Portraiture/Figure Study
   2. Human Interest
   3. Architecture
   4. Landscape/Seascape
   5. Still Life
   6. Nature
   7. Abstract
   8. Photo Essay
   9. Advertising/Product Promotion
   10. Mixed Media
   11. Special Effects/Manipulated Images
   12. Other 

 

 DEFINITION OF CATEGORIES

 

1.      PORTRAITURE/ FIGURE STUDY: A photograph of a person or animal which characterizes the said person/animal.A study of the human form.
2.     HUMAN INTEREST: Any photograph which illustrates aspects of the human experience, social conditions and activities such as work, sports, leisure etc.
3.      ARCHITECTURE: A photograph of a building or any part of the said building, which illustrates or emphasizes a particular design or style.
4.      LANDSCAPE/SEASCAPE: A photograph which depicts the scenery of a particular land area or view of the sea or a combination of both.
5.      STILL LIFE: A photograph taken of an inanimate object or an arrangement of such objects.
6.      NATURE: A photograph depicting the essential qualities or characteristics of living things.
7.      ABSTRACT: A detail of any subject taken in isolation from its surroundings which does not represent that subject pictorially, but expresses the photographer’s ideas or sensations through aspects such as lines, shapes, patterns or colours etc.A panel of Judges shall be selected for the adjudication of the competition;
8.       PHOTO ESSAY: A series of two or more (not exceeding six) photographs illustrating a particular theme or telling a story.
9.      ADVERTISING/PRODUCT: Any photograph which clearly shows that it was PROMOTION meant for the commercial promotion of a product or service.
10.      MIXED MEDIA:A photograph to which non-traditional techniques have been applied e.g. collage, superimposition, hand-colouring, etc., but which has photography as its basis.
11. SPECIAL EFFECTS/MANIPULATED IMAGES: A photograph which has been created by way of special darkroom techniques, electronic imaging, or the use of special filters or camera techniques to create a particular effect which strongly enhances the image.
12. OTHER: Any photograph which in the opinion of the entrant does not fit clearly into any one or solely one of the above categories.

 

JUDGING CRITERIA – PHOTOGRAPHY

All photographs entered for competition shall be judged on the following criteria:

 

Visual Impact25Striking effect, visually striking

Composition15The arrangement of different components of the picture

Technique30Handling of tonal range/Colour rendition. Correct exposure and use of light Retouching Processing.

Sharpness of picture and its appropriateness to the subject.

Presentation10Mounts used in the framing of the picture

Creativity20The work demonstrates an unusual/inventive use of the elements of design

 

 

8. ASSESSMENT

Participants who attain the following scores as listed below will be awarded certificates as follows:

 

Junior

Gold    86 – 100 points 

Silver  76 – 85 points 

  Bronze    70 – 80 points 

 

Adult

Gold    91 – 100 points 

Silver  81 – 90 points 

  Bronze    70 – 80 points 

 

 

No duplicate certificates will be issued for any lost/stolen certificates. However, a letter confirming the award will be issued.

Children aged 3-6 years, that participate for exhibit only, will be awarded a special certificate of participation. Only children aged seven (7) years or older will be eligible for competition.

 

9. FINAL EXHIBITION

1. 1. A curated selection will be on display for the Final Showcase.
   2. All exhibits will be covered by full public liability insurance by the NCF to a maximum value of $1,000.00 for the duration of the exhibition and due care will be exercised in handling exhibits.
   3. The NCF will not assume responsibility for lost or damaged artwork before or after the exhibition.
   4. The judges reserve the right not to award any special prizes offered in this competition.
   5. At the end of the Final Showcase all exhibits shall be collected from the indicated venue from Sunday December 7th, 2025 to Tuesday December 9th, 2025 at the indicated times. The NCF will not be responsible for work left beyond these dates.

 

10. VENUES

The NCF shall choose the venues for the staging of the Preliminaries, Finals, and Medal Showcase stages of the Competition.

 

11. SPECIAL AND GENERAL AWARDS

Participants who receive gold, silver or bronze certificates are eligible for special awards as outlined in Appendix “A”.

 

12. PROMOTION

 

1.       The participant agrees that the NCF shall be entitled to use an image of his/her work or part thereof or his/her image or likeness in the promotion of the competition and other related NIFCA events.

 

APPENDIX “A”

NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE FESTIVAL OF CREATIVE ARTS (NIFCA) 2025

SPECIAL AND GENERAL AWARDS FOR VISUAL ARTS –Fine Art, Craft and Photography

 

SPECIAL AWARDS – NON-PROFESSIONAL

1. The Ivan Payne Award of Excellence may be awarded tothe most outstanding gold awarded Fine Art Exhibit gaining 95% or higher. This award comprises a trophy and cash prize of BBD$3,000.00. It will only be awarded should the judges determine that the entry merits the award.
2. The Marjorie Blackman Award of Excellence may be awarded to the most outstanding gold awarded Craft Exhibitgaining 95% or higher. This award comprises a trophy and cash prize of BBD$3,000.00. It will only be awarded should the judges determine that the entry merits the award.
3. The Percé Tappin Award of Excellence may be awarded to the most outstanding gold awarded photography entry achieving an average score of 95% or higher. This award comprises a trophy and cash prize of BBD$3,000.00. It will only be awarded should the judges determine that the entry merits the award.
4. The Karl Broodhagen Award This comprises a cash award of BBD$3,000.00. and a trophy and may be awarded to the most outstanding gold awarded sculpture or 3 dimensional piece of work in the area of Fine Art or Craft gaining 95% or higher. It will only be awarded should the judges determine that the entry merits the award.
5. The Training Award I comprises a correspondence course in Photography from New York University or its equivalent.
6. The Training Award II comprises a Scholarship award for a workshop conducted by a local professional photographer.

7. The Prime Minister’s Scholarship is sponsored by the Prime Minister’s Office. A Gold award winning individual may be nominated for this prize. Awardees must be between the ages of 16 to 40 and demonstrate the greatest potential for training and development in their discipline. This award which may only be won once by any participant and is for a maximum of BBD$35,000.00, for tertiary studies in the awarded discipline at any Caribbean Arts institution. Only one participant may be nominated for this by the judges in each of the disciplines of NIFCA. A maximum of two will be awarded in any year.

8. Incentive Awards Five incentive awards will each be on offer in Fine Art, Craft and Photography respectively to reward and encourage promising participants. These will take the form of plaques and cash awards to a value of BBD$400.00 for an individual and BBD$750.00 for groups.

9. An Incentive Award will be offered for outstanding participation by a disabled artist(s). This will take the form of a plaque and cash award to a value of BBD$400.00 for individuals and BBD$750.00 for groups. To qualify participants must specify on their entry form their wish to be considered for this award.

 

GENERAL AWARDS

1. The Prime Minister’s Award for the Best Original Entry in NIFCA Visual Arts. This award is offered to recognise significant creativity and innovation in a NIFCA entry that challenges established norms in the artform.  This will comprise a cash award of BBD$3,500.00 and a trophy. Only one Gold award winner may be nominated for this by the judges.

2. The Cynthia Wilson NIFCA Producer’s Prize. This takes the form of a trophy and a cash prize of BBD$1,000.00, and will be awarded to recognize outstanding participation by a community leader, producer/organizer who facilitates and manages the successful participation of a group of artistes in any discipline for over five years. One prize will be awarded each year.

3. *NEW* The NIFCA prize for Intangible Cultural Heritage is valued at BBD$2,000.00 and will be awarded to a medalling entry that represents an outstanding depiction of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Barbados. 

4. Two scholarships to the Barbados Community College will be offered towards training in the Associate Degree programme in Visual Arts to a value of BBD$3,000.00 each.

5. *NEW* The NIFCA Teacher’s prize will be awarded to a teacher who facilitates successful participation by students that attain multiple awards in NIFCA Theatre. This will take the form of a plaque and cash awards to the value of four hundred (BBD$400.00) for an individual and seven hundred and fifty dollars (BBD$750.00) for a group.

6. The Business Entrepreneur Prize. This prize is awarded across the NIFCA disciplines and is valued at BBD$15,000.00. Will be awarded to recognize works that demonstrate entrepreneurial value. This prize will be awarded to a gold awarded Adult participant with the highest body of winning works that can be reproduced for mass sale.

General queries should be directed to the Curator, Ms. Oneka Small at the Queens Park Gallery telephone number 427-2345 or oneka-small@ncfbarbados.orgOR the Cultural Officer for Visual Arts, Mr. Rodney Ifill, at the NCF, telephone number 417-6627 or email rodney-ifill@ncfbarbados.org .