Archive Mode. Call 2023 Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition ended on 3/2/23, 5:30 PM. Call settings are read only. See Current Open Calls

Originality Policy

Please read the following policy regarding issues of originality, copyright and fair use, appropriation and plagiarism:

Teachers and students are responsible for entering only original works of art.  Although the student is ultimately responsible for entering original artwork, the teacher should also take responsibility for ensuring originality.

What follows are some guidelines for originality.  Teachers should interpret these as just that, "guidelines."  All of these things have gray areas and are open for interpretation.  Use them for making your own decisions about what is appropriate for entry into the exhibition.

Some Guidelines for Determining Originality:

An original work of art is not a copy of another artist's work.  This includes works copied from photographs, unless the photo was taken by the student-artist.

Artworks that are created "in the style of" may be original works, as long as the style is used with an original subject matter.

A work of art which employs appropriation, should not use more than 10% of another artist's work, and should not contain the overall "essence" of the appropriated image.

If appropriation is employed it is recommended that the student give credit to the artist/artwork.  This can be done in two ways.  A typed description/explanation can be attached to the work, so that is visible to jurors or the title of the work should clearly reference the artist or work.  For example, "Portrait of Janet; An Ode to Chuck Close."

Policy on Artworks Determined to be Not Original:

Regional and state jurors will be made aware of the student's and teacher's responsibility for ensuring originality.

The selections of regional and state jurors, once made, are final.  It will be assumed that the jurors have considered issues of originality for each of their selections, and therefore deemed the selected work appropriate or original.

However, because jurors cannot possibly be familiar with every artwork or photograph ever made, it is possible that a copied or "plagiarized" work could be selected and exhibited.  In the event that this would occur, and it is brought to the attention of the Director, the following policy will be employed:  The artwork and the source from which it was copied will be reviewed by a committee of the Advisory Board of Directors.  If this committee determines that the artwork is indeed not original (or does not use allowable appropriation), the following actions will be taken: The artwork will be removed from the exhibition and from the website (Top 25 works); a request for the return of awards received by the student will be issued; any sponsoring institution who may have offered a scholarship through the Ohio Governor's Exhibition will be notified.