INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
for composers/ arrangers
(non-primary)
for performers
VOCAL MUSIC
for composers/ arrangers
(non-primary)
for performers
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
for composers/ arrangers
(non-primary)
for performers
VOCAL MUSIC
for composers/ arrangers
(non-primary)
for performers


JUDGING CRITERIA
WHAT IS AN ARTIST OF THE YEAR?
Students nominated for Artist of the Year represent the top student artists in Orange County. Students are nominated by arts teachers and private instructors because they represent excellence in their artform(s).
WHO CAN BE NOMINATED? An Artist of the Year is any student high school JUNIOR or SENIOR artist who lives or attends school in Orange County.
Artists of the Year demonstrate the following attributes (i.e. this is what we consider when judging the students for Artist of the Year):
TALENT and TECHNIQUE
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The artist demonstrates talent.
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The artist has talent that has been developed through training.
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The artist has strong technique.
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The artist has shown complexity in technique.
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The artist has aptitude in a variety of styles and abilities.
ARTISTIC VISION
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The artist has a unique vision and voice that is expressed through her/his/their art form.
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The artist has a strong sense of imagination in her/his/their art form.
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The artist demonstrates an understanding of the intellectual content in her/his/their work created.
GROWTH and IMPACT
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The artist has demonstrated growth in her/his/their art form.
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The artist has an understanding of her/his/their personal artistic growth.
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The artist's work has had an impact on others.
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The artist has a sense what she/he/they wants to explore and contribute to the world via her/his/their art form.
HEART (the intangibles)
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There is something undefinable about this artist that makes you root for her/him/them.
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The artist is passionate about her/his/their art form.
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The artist has eloquence/insight when speaking about her/his/their art form.
Ultimate decisions are not made by calculating a numerical score.
During each round of evaluation, judges engage in a conversation, discussing each of the attributes above, and come to a concensus when choosing the top students.

HOW IT WORKS
NOMINATIONS
TEACHERS nominate their top students in seven areas: Theater, Dance, Instrumental Music, Vocal Musc, Film/Animation, Computer-Assisted Visual Arts, & Handcrafted Visual Arts.
STUDENTS complete a nomination application.
ROUND 1
JUDGING
High school teachers evaluate the applications and choose semi-finalists in every specialty.
SEMI-FINALISTS
Approximately
12 to 15 students from each discipline are chosen as semi-finalists from the Round 1 judging.
ROUND 2
JUDGING
A panel of pro artists, college arts faculty, and high school arts teachers evaluate semi-finalists after in-person interviews.
FINALISTS
Round 2 judges select one finalist in each specialty for each discipline.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
One finalist from each discipline, 7 total, will be named Artist of the Year.
IMPORTANT DATES for 2022
IMPORTANT DATES

ALL dates subject to change.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
TEACHER NOMINATIONS DUE:
Friday, January 21, 2022 @ 10pm
STUDENT APPLICATIONS DUE:
Friday, January 28, 2022 @ 10pm
NOMINEES PUBLISHED:
Sunday, March 20, 2022
ROUND 1 JUDGING PANELS:
Late February / Early March
SEMI-FINALIST INTERVIEWS (ROUND 2)
Assuming eased restrictions for gathering in groups,
semi-finalist interviews will be held live
in front of a panel of professional artists and arts educators
on the Chapman University campus.
DANCE:
Saturday, March 19, 2022
THEATER:
Monday, March 21, 2022
VOCAL MUSIC:
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC:
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
COMPUTER-ASSISTED VIS ARTS:
Thursday, March 24, 2022
HANDCRAFTED VIS ARTS:
Friday, March 25, 2022
FILM / ANIMATION:
Saturday, March 26, 2022
SEMI-FINALISTS PUBLISHED:
Sunday, April 24, 2022
ARTISTS OF THE YEAR PUBLISHED:
Sunday, May 1, 2022
AWARDS CEREMONY:
Monday, May 9, 2022, 5pm
at Memorial Hall
on the Chapman University Campus