Applications Invited for BO it! International illustration competition

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About the Organization

“BO it!” Is a cultural initiative promoted by the associations Il Civico 32 and MenoPerMeno of Bologna.

The association Il Civico32 has been operating in the Bologna area for over a decade by organizing meetings and debates on current issues with a particular focus on the territory. During the 15 years of activity, conferences and debates, exhibitions (under the current artistic direction of the “Scuola della Carta”), formal and informal moments of comparison with respect to issues related to the development of the City have been held. The association has collaborated in the organization of cinema and cultural events (“MONDOVISIONI” program of documentaries for the international journalism festival Internazionale which takes place every year in Ferrara, “Estate al Pincherle Social Garden”music and culture event at Giardino Pincherle in Bologna, “Dall’Euro All’EUROPA Federale”) more recently engaging in initiatives for the redevelopment of public spaces (Garden experience) Pincherle).

MENOPERMENO is a non-profit association of social promotion, engaged in projects to prevent and support psychological distress in situations of calamity, disasters and emergency / urgency through the implementation of psychological workshops that using artistic means such as tool for self-expression and self-inquiry. In 2017 the association has realized a project called “Talismans for Camerino” with the children of the third grades of U.Betti Elementary school located in Camerino, in order to help children to manage anxieties and phobias arose as a result of the earthquake that hit Marche region in 2016. In 2018 they kept working on the project, achieving foundraising events to support the association “IO NON CROLLO” of Camerino, in the construction of artistic workshops for children and adolescents, with the specific aim of contributing on creating a space of social gathering. Since 2019 MONOPERMENO has also engaged itself to training and education for childrens and adolescents, with the aim of facilitating the study method and encourage an effective and conscious learning.

About the Event

BOit! is an international illustration contest open to creative people from every background.

The project wants to promote creative work, facilitate networking and exchange between artists, including non-professional artists and people belonging to protected categories. In each edition, artists are asked to propose their vision of the city of Bologna addressing the chosen topic along with a “shape”.

In each edition, artists are asked to propose their vision of the city of Bologna addressing the chosen topic along with a “shape”

2023 Edition -

The international call is open to everyone, the only limit is beeing older than 18. It’s possible to participate individually or collectively. The jury will select 30 artworks, including three winners (one of the prizes will be reserved for an artist in the protected categories).

The “shape” of the third edition of the contest represents the outline of the city of Bologna (“cresta” or “circla”) which recalls the cell of a beehive.

The theme of this edition focuses on climate change and carbon neutrality. Along with 100 other cities, Bologna is selected to become a carbon neutral city by 2030. Thanks to the powerful and original contributions of image creators entering the contest, the project wants to promote the city’s image beyond it’s limits.

Prizes -

• First Prize Sconfinando Bologna | € 800 and a solo exhibition at the Millennium Gallery in Bologna at Palazzo Gnudi on a date to be determined (by May 2024).
• Second Prize Un segno d’impatto with the sponsorship of zeroCO2 | € 500,00
• Third Prize | A voucher to the value of 200€ for the purchase of fine arts instruments and material
• Audience award | the first prize in BO it! history to be granted by the citizens of Bologna themselves.

The winning illustrations will be published in the Annual 2024 of Image Authors Association (AI), partner of BOit! International Contest.

The selected works, along with the three winning works, may receive special mentions and will be exhibited to the public in a collective exhibition. The selected artworks will also be published in a catalog and will circulate around Italy through a traveling exhibition in bookstores throughout 2023-24. Each selected illustrator will be honored with the adoption of a tree by zeroCO2

How to Apply

Do you like to create images? Are you a professional illustrator or do you want to become one?

You have until 11:59 p.m. on May 15 2023 to send us your version of the “shape” of Bologna!

Download the template and make an illustration, graphic interpretation or decorative motif inside and/or outside the shape (inside the square), in free technique.

Sign up through the form, attaching your artwork.

The call is international and is open to everyone, you must be born before 02.25.2005.

It is possible to participate either individually or as a collective.

For more information please check the Link