The annual Science as Art competition features student artwork inspired by and demonstrating scientific ideas and principles. Awards are given for Best in Show and a range of other categories across a wide range of media. The event will include a public exhibit of submissions as well as a faculty panel discussion, award ceremony and reception. The 2025 exhibition will be on display in the Duderstadt Central Collaboration Area from February 11 to February 24.
U-M students are invited to submit artwork expressing a scientific principle(s), concept(s), idea(s), process(es), and/or structure(s). The artwork may be visual, literary, musical, video, or performance-based. A juried panel using criteria based on both scientific and artistic considerations will choose winning submissions and award prizes from $50 to $300.
As a special part of this year’s Science as Art Competition, we are seeking submissions to become the foundation of illustrations for a new published work, A is for Aurora: The ABC’s of Space – a book for children pre-K – 1 level.
Copyrighted materials may not be used as part of the entry unless permission has been obtained from the copyright holder(s). Submissions advertising or marketing specific companies or commercial products are ineligible.
The Science as Art organizers reserve the right to not include in exhibition any entries deemed inappropriate or in violation of university policy. Science as Art organizers are available for consultation around any submissions in question.
Creators retain right of ownership of any submission and is responsible for retrieving the entry after the award ceremony and exhibition.
Please contact scienceasart@umich.edu with questions.
As a special part of this year’s Science as Art Competition, we are seeking submissions to become the foundation of illustrations for a new published work, A is for Aurora: The ABC’s of Space – a book for children pre-K – 1 level.
We are asking for submissions of 3 full-page full-color illustrations and/or graphical layouts, including: the graphic of the alphabet letter and page title (A is for Aurora); any NASA or other high quality photographic image of the subject of that page; and a short rhyming description laid out as a sample book page (Rhyming descriptions by the artists are encouraged, or we can provide them as requested. For example: The Aurora dances in the sky, as the sun’s charged particles whiz on by!) The pages should be larger landscape – 11 in x 8.5 in or 12 in x 9 in.
The submissions will be judged for a special category award in the Science As Art Competition – with the awarding of a $300 first place and two $150 alternates.
The winning artist may also be selected for a commission of a full 26 drawings, and front and back cover art, to be prepared for publication. If selected, they would receive a commission of $3,000 upon series completion, with the possibility of additionally contracted remuneration for image adaption, publication preparation, and subsequent series illustrations. The full set of drawings should be completed by June 30, 2025.
For additional information, and a list from which the 3 sample submissions should be produced, may be found HERE. For more information, please contact artsengine@umich.edu.
Each individual or team may submit only one artwork for consideration. An individual entrant may also be a member of a team. Each submission must be original, accurate, and the sole property and work of the individual or team. Artworks submitted in a past year’s Science as Art competitions are not eligible.
A complete submission will include:
- Written Explanation – A written explanation must accompany each submission detailing both the: 1) artistic components of the work and the 2) scientific principle(s), concept(s), idea(s), process(es) or structure(s) that are represented. The text accompanying the artwork should be 250-500 words in length.
- Abstract – A brief, self-contained descriptive abstract about your artwork must also be submitted. The abstract should be no more than 100 words in length.
- Image or Documentation of Artwork – Please upload up to 5 images of your artwork through our submission form. If you want to submit additional images, or if your artwork is video, sound, or another medium that is not image-based, there will be additional instructions for submitting in the form.
Please see the form for submission file formatting.
The judging team will be composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds in science, literature, education, and art. All entries will be evaluated by judges using the following criteria:
- Scientific Concept – How well thought out is the scientific idea behind the artwork?
- Artistic Execution – What is the artistic quality of the work?
- Synthesis – How well does the artwork demonstrate or reflect the scientific concept?
- Creativity – How unique, original, or creative is the artwork?
Entrants grant Science as Art organizers non-exclusive web and print publication rights, while retaining copyright. Winners are selected at the sole discretion of the Science as Art organizers, and all decisions are final. By submitting, entrants agree to contest terms and conditions.