Be sure to go over the list of frequently asked questions. Do you have a question that is not listed below? Contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible with an answer.
Who is eligible for the contest?
All classes of Grades 4-12 in Canada are eligible to enter the contest under the supervision of a teacher.
What is a mini Anthropocene project?
It is a project that teachers and students must plan, organize and execute together that involves innovative ways of using art and media to educate others on some of the world’s most pressing environmental problems and inspire a generation of change-makers. The project must be based on the original multidisciplinary body of work from world-renowned collaborators Nicholas de Pencier, Edward Burtynsky and Jennifer Baichwal which combines art, film, virtual reality, augmented reality, and scientific research to investigate human influence on the state, dynamic and future of the Earth. See Edward Burtynsky’s explanation of his personal motivation behind the project
here.
Does the mini Anthropocene project have to be linked to people, communities or places in Canada?
Yes, the project should focus on student’s interpretations of the Anthropocene as they are expressed in a community or place they are familiar with.
Where can we find help to brainstorm our submission?
The Anthropocene Project and
Edward Burtynsky feature excellent representations of the Anthropocene on their websites. You can also stream the full length film ANTHROPOCENE: The Human Epoch via iTunes, CRAVE and Cineplex.
What media types constitute an acceptable submission?
The Project must be based on original work, and should investigate human influence on the state, dynamic and future of the Earth using a combination of scientific research, traditional knowledge, art, writing, film, virtual reality and/or augmented reality (see list of options below). It will be up to each teacher and student group to decide the format, theme and content of their submission. As one example, classrooms may choose to produce a documentary of an ongoing issue in their community, a photo essay showcasing everyday human-environment interactions, a series of art installations designed to transform the school cafeteria or the local park, or a Google Expedition Tour showcasing their own 360 degree photography.
Other examples may include:
- Digital art
- Free/Street art
- Portraits
- Magazines
- Mixed media
- Sculptures
- Posters
- Contemporary art
- Performance art
- Creative writing
- Augmented reality
- Virtual reality
- Silent film
- Experimental and scripted film
- Interpretive dance
Can we collaborate with other classrooms or students groups at our school?
Yes, as long as the students are doing the majority of the work, and everyone is in grades 4 – 12.
We are a split-level class. Can we still participate?
Yes, as long as you live in Canada and all students in your class are in grades 4-12, you are eligible to participate. Extra-curricular school clubs and organized groups of three (3) or more students are also eligible to enter under the supervision of an educator.
How do I register?
Please visit the registration page to enter.
How do I upload my submission?
Once you’ve registered, please visit the submission page to submit your entry.
We have limited access to art supplies and/or technology but would still like to participate. What should we do?
There are lots of ways to obtain art supplies and technological devices to accomplish your project! Consider checking-in with your school’s library or learning commons, your school’s technology or environment clubs, or your school board (many of which have borrowing policies for equipment). Local public libraries often loan out cameras, tripods and musical instruments, have work stations to edit movies and music, and have all sorts of free scanning and printing options. Community centres often welcome the use of their public spaces, and universities have rentable spaces for the creation of art, music and audiovisuals. Contact local shops and businesses and tell them about your project – you are sure to get a lot of local support!
We are interested in creating a physical art installation. How do we submit this?
If classrooms choose to do a project that incorporates physical elements, they can submit photos or a video of the final product but must keep the physical pieces in the event that they are invited to participate in an exhibition.
How do you make sure that voting is fair?
The challenge partners do our very best to ensure that voting is fair and equal to all participating classrooms. Judges are given a strict set of rules to follow to ensure each submission in each grade category is treated equally.
If we win, who receives the prize?
Members of the challenge entities will be in contact with the winning class’ teacher or principal to send all of the prizes.
When will the winner be selected?
Between the dates of May 4 and May 15, 2020, at the offices of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, 50 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, a panel of judges from the challenge entities will select a total of ten (10) winners consisting of an overall grand prize winner and a first, second and third place winner in each of the following categories: grades 4-6, grades 7-9 and grades 10-12.
Can I show students' faces?
If students’ faces are shown in videos or photographs, teachers must get parental consent prior to submission using this form. Teachers will be required to collect written consent forms and may be asked to submit these forms to the challenge entities.
