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The Art Deco Society of New York &
The High School of Art and Design Present 
Fresh Eyes on a Beautiful Past: Art Deco Contest

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Art Deco, we invite students across NYC to participate in a citywide contest to reimagine neighborhoods through the lens of this iconic design style. This interdisciplinary initiative is a collaboration between the Art Deco Society of New York and the High School of Art & Design to encourage student creativity, historical exploration, and community engagement. Please scroll down to see the full contest details. Click here to see an introductory video from the students at the High School of Art and Design.​​​​​​​

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Contest Options

Design

  • ​Choose a local building or city structure that is part of your everyday life or in need of redesign.

  • Reimagine this structure using Art Deco inspiration.

  • Include artists or architects who influenced your design.

  • Submit detailed drawings and a written statement explaining your design choices and the use of Art Deco design elements.

Photography

  • Capture photos that reflect your understanding of Art Deco in your neighborhood.

  • Create a photo essay that illustrates how Art Deco influences your surroundings and your personal interpretation.

  • Minimum of 5 photos with captions.

  • Write a 150-word statement explaining what Art Deco means to you and the significance of your captured images.

Film

  • Develop a short film that tells a story through the lens of Art Deco.

  • Capture Art Deco buildings and design elements in the film.

  • 3-5 minute video with a brief synopsis (150 words.)

Submission Requirements

  • Design: Drawings and a written rationale (150 words)

  • Photography: Minimum of 5 photos with captions and a 150-word statement

  • Film: 3-5 minute video with a brief synopsis (150 words)

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To find examples of Art Deco buildings in neighborhoods throughout New York, please click here.

Awards for Each of the Three Categories

  • First Place: Photographic/Art materials valued at $500

  • Second Place: Photographic/Art materials valued at $300

  • Third Place: Photographic/Art materials valued at $100​​​​

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Contest Participation Terms

All participants and a parent/guardian must agree to these terms in order for you to enter your work into the Fresh Eyes on a Beautiful Past: Art Deco Contest.

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JUDGING CRITERIA 

To participate in this student contest, all eligible entries will be judged by an independent panel of jurors who review the entries in each of the three competition categories: Design, Photography and Film. Jurors for each category will look for relevance to theme (25%), originality (25%), composition (25%), and artistic merit (25%). The decision of the judges is final. 

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ELIGIBILITY

To participate in the Fresh Eyes on a Beautiful Past: Art Deco Contest, you must be a student enrolled in a school in New York City as of May, 2025.

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RIGHTS TO YOUR ENTRIES 

Students who submit entries to this contest will retain all intellectual property rights to their works, including copyright. However, by submitting their work into the contest, all participants grant ADSNY unlimited permission to reproduce and display in print, online, or in social media all entries into the contest without further approval as long as it is consistent with ADSNY’s mission as a nonprofit organization to educate and celebrate Art Deco.

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You also give ADSNY permission to use your name, photograph or other image of you, biographical information, and if requested, agree to participate in live and taped interviews or appearances, made by you in connection with the contest, unless prohibited by law. You will be credited in all uses of your work, but, if for any reason we fail to give you credit due to an oversight on our part, we will make every effort to correct that further use. 

 

The only payment that you will receive for your entry or use of your work in the context described above will be if your submission is selected as one of the winning entries in the contest. 

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The Art Deco Society of New York, its Board of Directors, and any employees or consultants, shall have no obligation or liability whatsoever in relation to damage or loss related to the entries submitted. All decisions of the judges are final. 

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COPYRIGHT & PLAGIARISM

All submissions that you make to this contest must be your original work and must not infringe on the property rights of any other person or entity. By entering the contest, you certify that your submission is your own original work, and you did not copy it from any other person or source. Any work that infringes upon anyone’s intellectual property rights will be disqualified. 

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ADSNY may revoke any awards if we discover that the participant’s work is not original or has violated the terms for participation in this contest.  

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Before submitting any entry into the contest, the participant and the participant's parent/guardian must review and agree to all contest rules and requirements. By submitting the entry, it is understood by ADSNY that both the participant and the participant’s parent/guardian agree to accept the terms of the contest and to hold ADSNY and its Board of Directors, contractors and judges harmless in its actions related to this contest.

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HOW TO SUBMIT ENTRIES

Participants must have email accounts in order to enter their work as entries can only be received through ADSNY's contest entry form. During the selection process, contest judges will not have access to your personal information. If you are experience any technical issues submitting your entry online, please contact us at: info@artdeco.org

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