FAQs

What is the #BlackNeuroArt Contest?

This contest aims to showcase Black In Neuro artists and their work. We want to highlight how talented our community is, outside the lab! Entries made via Twitter, Instagram and email will be entered in the running for cash prizes, sponsored by Abcam.

What type of entries are you looking for?

Any form of self-expression is considered art, so get creative!

We ask that entries be related to the fields of neuroscience, neurology, psychiatry, psychology, neuroengineering, or other neuro-related fields. This may include scientific content, e.g. visualizing a neuro-related topic, or the personal experience of navigating these fields, i.e. your experience as a #BlackInNeuro individual.

Entries can take on any form, including but not limited to: pictures, digital artwork, traditional artwork (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc), creative writing, poetry, film, performance art captured on video (dance, music, comedy, acting, spoken word, etc).

Who is eligible to enter?

Participants must be at least 18 years of age. Members of the Black In Neuro organizing committee, Black In Neuro panelists or invited speakers, and those employed by or affiliated to Abcam are not eligible to enter, in order to avoid any conflict of interest.

Can I enter the contest if I’m not Black?

While this criteria will not be enforced, this competition is intended for Black-identifying participants. We ask that non-Black individuals wishing to participate refrain from doing so, in order to allow us to highlight Black artists during this time. Non-Black artists are welcome to engage using the #NeuroArt hashtag, and are encouraged to view and amplify entries by Black-identifying participants.

How do I enter?

To enter, post your art on Twitter or Instagram and tag @BlackInNeuro and #BlackNeuroArtContest. If your social media profiles are set to private, you can email your entry to BlackInNeuro@gmail.com, with the subject line “Black Neuro Art Contest.”

How long will the competition run?

We will accept entries until the end of Black In Neuro Week 2020 (11:59:59 p.m. ET on August 2, 2020). Winners will be announced on August 6, 2020.

What can I win, and how will entries be judged?

We are looking for the most creative and impressive entries. We have $1000 USD in cash prizes to distribute. The number and amount of prizes will be determined based on the number of entries we receive.

Entries will be judged by a panel composed of 2 members of the Black In Neuro organizing committee, and 1 Abcam employee. Entries gathered and, where possible, anonymized by a Black In Neuro organizer not part of the judging panel. Entries will then be ranked at the discretion of each judge, and rankings will be tallied to determine our winners.

Will I retain ownership of my work if I enter the contest?

By entering the contest, you give Black In Neuro the right to nonexclusive, royalty-free, perpetual use of your work for promotional and advertisement purposes (e.g. in order to create graphics to announce the contest winner, and advertise future contests). You retain the right to sell, promote or use your work for other purposes. If you have any specific concerns about the rights to your work, please reach out to us and we will adapt on a case-by-case basis. It’s important to us that Black In Neuro artists get credited for and retain the rights to their creations.

We may use your name or any other biographical information provided in your entry for these same purposes. We will seek your consent to use any further information, such as your picture.