The 16th Asian Games Youth Across Asia Art & Essay Writing Competitions

Hosts: The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) & Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (GAGOC)

Co-Hosts: NOCs

Organiser: Ceremonies & Cultural Events Department, GAGOC

Ⅰ Competition Themes

Art and essay writing are ideal mediums through which Asia's youth can display their knowledge of the 16th Asian Games and express their ideas and the themes of the competitions. They also provide an opportunity for these youth to express their hopes and dreams for peace and unity in the region.

In these competitions, we are looking for submissions that have original ideas and viewpoints about the Asian Games, show how entrants see themselves, as youths growing up in Asia and reveal their views on Lingnan Culture, Chinese Culture and their place in Asia. The competitions will also provide a platform for entrants to share their cultures and interest in sports and art. By taking part, entrants will increase their knowledge of the Games and Asia, broaden their horizons, practice their drawing and writing skills and develop more rounded personalities. The 16th Asian Games Art & Essay Writing Competitions are part of the Organisers', and the Guangzhou Government's, long term efforts to focus attention on, and encourage more interest, in culture, sport and physical fitness, among China's youth.

II Competition Details

(Ⅰ) The 16th Asian Games Youth Across Asia Art Competition

1. There are 3 Competition Themes, one of which should form the basis for the submission:

● My Asian Games, My Dreams

● Play with Le Yangyang (5 Yang) - the Official Mascots of the 16th Asian Games

● Asia in My Heart, Guangzhou in My Heart

2. Requirements for Art Entries

2.1 Entries should cover the vision of the 16th Asian Games: Thrilling Games, Harmonious Asia . The artwork can depict any Games-related activities e.g. Sports competitions, Asian Culture, Games venues or volunteer work and should be original and innovative, reflecting the children's character and artistic style.

2.2 Size. Artwork should be a 546mm×394mm. Artwork that does not meet size requirements will NOT be accepted. Artwork can be created and presented using any one of the following mediums: children's paint, watercolour, decorative paint and as a series of panels, cartoons or comics. Artwork must be presented on paper, canvas, board or other two-dimensional media. No sculptures or three-dimensional artwork will be accepted.

2.3 Computer-generated or computer-assisted artwork will NOT be accepted. Artwork should not be mounted or framed.

2.4 Artwork should be the entrant's own original work and must not have been submitted into any other competition. Submitted artwork will not be returned to entrants. Once submitted, artwork will become the property of the Organizer who will be entitled to use the material as it wishes, for any non-commercial purposes. Entrants will, however, retain the right of authorship. Please note that entrants will be responsible for any issues related to the right to reproduce any images or subjects that appear in their submissions.

3. Competition Rules

3.1 The submission period for entries will begin February 2, 2010. The final date for all submissions is April 30, 2010. The date of submission of the entry will be regarded as the date postmarked by the postal service in the countries or regions of entry. Entrants are only allowed to submit one entry each.

3.2 Entrants and their parents or guardians, must both sign their names on the Official Entry Form (Click Download ).

Any entry that fails to meet all the above requirements will be deemed ineligible.

3.3 Artwork, together with a completed Entry Form, should be sent by registered mail to the designated organizer at the NOC in the entrant's relevant country or region of residence.

3.4 The 16th Asian Games Youth Across Asia Art Competition is non-profit. No entry fee is required.

(Ⅱ) 16th Asian Games Youth Across Asia Essay Writing Competition

1. There are 4 Competition Themes, one of which should form the basis for the submission:

● Sport as Culture and a Way of Life

● The Asian Games: A Celebration of Sports Culture in Asia

● Asia: A Family in Harmony

● My Sporting Life

2. Requirements for Essays

2.1 Entries should cover one of the themes and the Vision of the 16th Asian Games: Thrilling Games, Harmonious Asia . The artwork can depict any Games-related activities e.g. Sports competitions, Asian Culture, Games venues or volunteer work and should be concise, original and fluent, reflecting the entrant's personality and writing style.

2.2 There are no restrictions on the style of entries. Entrants are encouraged to be creative and try any type of prose or writing style they wish as long as it is relevant and meaningful. The title of the essay should be chosen by the entrant. All essays should be in English; submissions in other languages will not be accepted.

Entry Categories:

Young Writers Category (12-15 years old) - Entries should be between 600 and 700 words.

Seniors Category (16-18 years old) - Entries should be between 800 and 900 words.

2.3 Entries should be submitted to the designated e-mail address or through the official Games Website.

2.4 Essay should be an entrant's original work. Plagiarism is not allowed.

3. Competition Rules

3.1 The submission period for entries will begin on February 2, 2010. The final date for all submissions is April 30, 2010. The date of submission of the entry will be regarded as the date shown on the e-mail to which the submission is attached. Entrants are allowed to submit one entry each only.

3.2 Entrants and their parents or guardians, must both sign their names on the Entry Form (Click Download ).

Any entry that fails to meet all the above requirements will be deemed ineligible.

3.3 Essays, together with a completed Entry Form, should be sent by e-mail to the designated organizer at the NOC in the entrant's relevant country or region of residence.

3.4 The 16th Asian Games Youth Across Asia Essay Writing Competitions is non-profit. No entry fee is required.

Ⅲ Competition Schedule

Date/Deadline	Action	Action by
January 1, 2010	Launch of 16th Asian Games Youth Across Asia Art & Essay Writing Competitions	NOCs
February 2 - April 30, 2010	Preliminary Rounds	NOCs
May 9 - July 1, 2010	Semi Finals	NOCs
July 20 - 25, 2010	Grand Finals	GAGOC
August 4, 2010	Winners announced during the Official Launch of the 100-day Countdown to the 16th Asian Games	GAGOC

IV Age Categories for Entrants

1. The Competitions are open to youths between 12-18 years of age, residing in any one of the 45 countries or regions taking part in the 16th Asian Games.

2. There are two (2) age categories:

Group 1,12-15 years of age;

Group 2,16-18 years of age.

V Competition Zones

The City of Guangzhou and the 45 countries and regions participating in the 16th Asian Games.

All 45 participating NOCs are invited to host both the Art and Essay Writing Competitions. Participating NOCs will be responsible for hosting and judging the preliminary rounds and semi-finals. The Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC) and the city of Guangzhou will be responsible for and the location of, selecting the winners and the awards ceremony respectively.

VI Judging

A 5-person judging panel will be set up in each of the 45 Competition Zones for judging in these rounds.

A panel of 7 judges will judge and select the finalists in Guangzhou. The judging panel will be comprised of GAGOC representatives and international experts.

Assessment Criteria

1. Art Competition

Drawing Skill	Creativity	Expression
70 points	15 points	15 points

2. Essay Writing Competition

Writing Skills	Creativity	Expression
70 points	15 points	15 points

VII Prizes & Awards

（I） Local Prizes (Awarded in each Competition Zone)

The following prizes will be sent to NOCs to be awarded to selected entrants:

1. Art Competition: Two 1st prize winners, four 2nd prize winners and six 3rd prize winners. Prizes will be evenly divided among the two age categories.

2. Essay Writing Competition: The 1st prize winners, four 2nd prize winners and six 3rd prize winners. Prizes will be evenly divided among the two age categories.

Trophies, Certificates of Merit and other commemorative gifts will be awarded to prize winners.

A total of 180 finalists will be selected among entrants and invited to take part in the Grand Finals in Guangzhou.

（II）Grand Final Prizes (Awarded in Guangzhou)

1. Art Competition: Two Grand Champions, four 2nd prize winners and six 3rd prize winners will be chosen during the Grand Final. Prizes will be evenly divided among the two age categories.

2. Essay Writing Competition: Two Grand Champions, four 2nd prize winners and six 3rd prize winners will be chosen during the Grand Final. Prizes will be evenly divided among the two age categories.

Trophies, Certificates of Merit and other commemorative gifts will be awarded to prize winners.

（Ⅲ）Awards

The four Grand Champions will be officially announced and awarded their prizes during the Launch of the 100-day Countdown to the 16th Asian Games. The four grand champions will also be invited to join the 16th Asian Games Youth Camp.

CONTACT INFO

Ceremonies & Cultural Events Department

Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (GAGOC)

Address: Guangzhou Asian Games Sports and Culture Centre, No. 299 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guanghzou.

Postcode: 510620 P.R.China

E-mail: youth@gz2010.cn

Tel: +86 20 3800 5261 Fax: +86 20 3800 5278

Official Website: www.gz2010.cn

Entry Form Download: The 16th Asian Games Youth Across Asia Art & Essay Writing Competitions Entry Form