The NICHE Student Awards jury is composed of the editors of NICHE and AmericanStyle magazines, and the Buyers Market of American Craft exhibit managers.

Each image entry is judged individually. The judges’ scores are not cumulative per application, but reflect their decisions per individual image entry. Images are judged on the following:

• Technical excellence, both in surface design and form
• A distinct quality of unique, original and creative thought

Decisions of the judges will be final. Notifications will be sent in December 2010. Winners will be announced at the NICHE Awards ceremony during the February 2011 Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft.

The competition is open to any craft student residing in the U.S. or Canada and attending an undergraduate, graduate or certificate arts program.

Only one application per artist is allowed. Entries must be submitted by the student in the student's name, not in the name of a school. Applications received without payment of the entry fee will not be reviewed.

Submitted work must have been produced or introduced after September 30, 2009, to be eligible. Work previously submitted to the NICHE Student Awards may not be resubmitted.

Finalists receive:
• Award certificate from NICHE magazine
• Listing in the February 2011 Buyers Market of American Craft (BMAC) Buyers Guide
• Press materials tailored to local and trade media
• Listing on www.NICHEAwards.com
• An opportunity to display their work in a special exhibit at the February 2011 BMAC (Feb. 18-21, 2011, in Philadelphia, PA). [Drop off & pick up of items is required. Details on the special display will be provided in the finalist's packet.] 

Winners receive:
• Award certificate and trophy
• Press materials tailored to local and trade media
• Prominent listing in the Spring 2011 issue of NICHE magazine.
• Listing on www.NICHEAwards.com

NICHE magazine accepts only digital photos for the NICHE Student Awards. Images must be in JPEG format, 300 dpi and approximately 4 x 6 inches (1200 x 1800 pixels) in size.

Applicants may enter up to three images, but no more than two images per category. No additional images showing detail will be accepted for jurying. Each image must be a separate piece of work. You may not enter an individual piece in more than one category.

Images submitted are understood to be the property of the artist with the right to use them for unlimited publication. When applicable, photography credits must be submitted with the entry in the "Comments" section. Also, if the entry is a collaborative piece, the second artist's name must be provided in the "Comments" section.

Digitally enhanced images and artist's renderings will not be accepted. Installation works will not be accepted in any category.
 

Suggestions for Entrants:
• Apply for all protections necessary (e.g. copyright, patent or photographer’s release).
• Submit high-quality images with a plain background. Evenly distribute lighting from at least three light sources so that no shadows are cast. Hire a professional photographer to photograph your work whenever possible.
• Present fashions as worn by professional models.
• Photograph jewelry alone, not worn by a model.

Arts Educator of the Year award:
The Arts Educator of the Year award recognizes professors at arts education institutions who encourage their students to explore and participate in the larger craft community. Each year, NICHE magazine honors one of the instructors nominated by the applicants in the NICHE Student Awards. By providing your instructor's name on the application, he/she is automatically nominated for this award. 

NICHE magazine reserves the right to cancel or merge categories that do not accrue an appropriate number of applications. NICHE assumes no responsibility for handling, loss, theft or damage to any entry.