Art/Sci Rules

For the most current information on Arts and Science Faires in Trimaris, please go to

https://www.trimaris.org/officers/office-of-the-arts-sciences/kingdom-arts-sciences-faire/

and Trimaris.org for more information.

We are slowly combining current information onto the kingdom page

(updates 8-15-19)

1. Trimaris hosts one Kingdom Arts & Sciences Faires each year and must be prior to Gulf Wars in order to timely select the Art/Sci Trimaris Champions.

The Art & Sciences Faire is a traditional style Faire, in which individual pieces are entered into a specific category. This is an academic and artistic faire in which the entrant competes against a set parameter of rules at their chosen level. The emphasis is on education and constructive feedback. There are four levels of entry at each Faire: Novice, Journeyman, Artificer and Masterwork. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges and scored according to the criteria specified for each level of entry. Judging forms for each level are available to all entering prior to the faire.

Levels of Entry:

Display and Commentary Only: Display only entries are for those who wish to show their work on a project but do not wish to receive a score. Display only entries can request commentary only, without a score being provided for the entry. This is an excellent way to handle items that have been made but were not planned as Arts and Sciences Faire entries or might have insufficient documentation.

Novice Entries: Novice entries are for first or second time Arts and Sciences Faire entrants, or for entrants trying a art or science that is new to them.

Entrants should use the provided documentation form. Entrants should answer all of the questions completely based on the level of research and workmanship. Entrants should include a list of sources or bibliography. Entrant should read their level judging form prior to completing their entry. Additional attachments such as photographs and supportive research are encouraged. 3 copies of your documentation forms are recommended for your judges. Entries should be presented on the table as if in a museum or window display. Your populace form and cup should be with your entry.

Perfect for first time entrants, or entrants new to a previously attempted craft/
Entrants with more skill and experience in either their art/craft or the art of documentation, but without equal skill and experience in both areas
Eligible to count towards both Champion of the Arts and Patron of the Arts
Not eligible to be selected as a Gulf Wars Champion
Judged on a 60 point scale: 25% (15 pts) for the overall authenticity of the item, 20% (12 pts) for documentation, 15% (9 pts) for the authenticity of the materials used (including reasonable substitutions), 15% (9 pts) for the authenticity of the methods used, and 25% (15 pts) for workmanship.
Documentation Form provided.

Journeyman Entries: Journeyman entries are for entrants who have entered Arts and Sciences Faires a few times, are comfortable with basic documentation, and who had made several attempts at their craft.

Entrants must provide written documentation that supports the inspiration, history, creative choices, materials, methods, tools and creation processes in a clear, concise and organized manner. Using a research paper format in not required. Entrants should include a bibliography and all statements in their documentation should be referenced. Entrant should read their level judging form prior to completing their entry. Additional attachments such as photographs and supportive research are encouraged. 3 copies of your documentation forms are recommended for your judges. Entries should be presented on the table as if in a museum or window display. Your populace form and cup should be with your entry.

More advanced entrants with approximately equal levels of skill and experience in both their art/craft and the art of documentation
Eligible to count towards both Champion of the Arts and Patron of the Arts
Eligible to be selected as a Gulf Wars Champion \
Judged on an 80 point scale: 20% (16 pts) for the overall authenticity of the item, 5% (4 pts) for the complexity of the entry, 5% (4 pts) for creativity, 15% (12 pts) for documentation, 15% (12 pts) for the authenticity of the materials used (including reasonable substitutions), 15% (12 pts) for the authenticity of the methods used, and 25% (20 pts) for workmanship.
Documentation Guide provided

Masterworks Entries: Entrants must provide written documentation that supports the inspiration, history, creative choices, materials, methods, tools, creation processes and analysis in a clear, concise and organized manner. Using a research paper format in not required. Entrants should include a bibliography and all statements in their documentation should be referenced. Entrant should read their level judging form prior to completing their entry. Additional attachments such as photographs and supportive research are encouraged. 3 copies of your documentation forms are recommended for your judges. Entries should be presented on the table as if in a museum or window display. Your populace form and cup should be with your entry.

Highly skilled entrants with considerable experience in both their art/craft and in the art of documentation
Eligible to count towards both Champion of the Arts and Patron of the Arts
Eligible to be selected as a Gulf Wars Champion
Judged on a 100 point scale: 20% (20 pts) for the overall authenticity of the item, 5% (5 pts) for complexity, 5% (5 pts) for creativity, 15% (15 pts) for documentation, 15% (15 pts) for the authenticity of the materials used (including reasonable substitutions), 15% (15 pts) for authenticity of the methods used, and 25% (25 pts) for workmanship.
Documentation Guide provided

2. Entry Eligibility:

Entrants are encouraged to pre-register for all Art/Sci Faires. Entrants must check-in at the registration desk during the posted registration times even if they are pre-registered.
Each entrant must complete an Entry Registration Form. One On-Site Entry Registration Form may be used to register up to three items. Judging forms will be provided for each entry.
Entrants may enter several items, but may only enter one item per category.
Entrants may enter at multiple levels of entry.
Entrants are strongly encouraged to be present for the judging of their entry. Entrants who are not present at the time of judging will only receive written commentary with their score.
Entrants with items requiring in person judging (such as performance entries and on the body costuming worn by the entrant) may opt to skip the verbal commentary by checking the “Written Commentary Only” box on the Entry Registration Form.
Items not requiring in person judging may be entered anonymously. Entrants must complete the Entry Registration Form but may leave their name off their documentation or Documentation Form. Anonymous entries will only receive written commentary.
Individuals who do not wish to receive score but still wish to receive written and verbal commentary may enter as a Novice and should check the “Display Only” box on the Entry Registration Form. Novice documentation is still required.
All Art/Sci Faire entries must have been completed within the twelve months prior to the Faire in which they are entered. They may have been begun at any time, there is no time limit on how long the projects took to complete. Items entered in local Faires, other kingdom’s Art/Sci Faires, or inter-kingdom Art/Sci Faires may be entered in a Trimarian Art/Sci Faire.
Items may be re-entered at a Kingdom Art/Sci Faire if they were initially entered under a different category. For example, an embroidered tunic entered initially under costuming but not under embroidery may be entered again as embroidery.
Items may also be re-entered one time at a Kingdom Art/Sci Faire if they are substantially re-worked based on commentary from the previous Art/Sci. Substantial re-working is defined as making at least 75% of the changes or improvements to the item and documentation suggested by the panel of judges at the previous Art/Sci. Re-worked entries must provide the judging sheets (score and written commentary) from the previous Art/Sci in their documentation. Re-worked items may be entered at the same level of entry as before, or at a higher level of entry. Items may be entered a total of two times in Trimarian Kingdom Art/Sci Faire – the initial entry and the re-worked entry. Re-worked entries may not be entered anonymously or for written commentary only. Entrants should check the “Re-worked Entry (2nd)” box on the Entry Registration Form.
Items may be entered in a maximum of two categories at a time, provided the categories are in different divisions or sub-divisions. For example, a play written in the style of a period play may be entered as both a performance and a written work (different divisions). An embroidered Norse tunic may be entered as both a costume and as embroidery (different sub-divisions). Separate documentation must be provided for each category and the entry must be registered in each category.
All entries must have documentation and a list of sources or bibliography.
All entries must fall between 500 CE and 1650 CE. Entries that date from earlier than 500 CE or later than 1650 CE will not be judged. Entries falsely labeled as falling between 500 CE and 1650 CE will be disqualified.

4. Group Entries

Individuals may only enter one group entry per category.
Group entries must register under a group name, with the individual members of the group listed after the group name on the Entry Registration Form.
Group entries can only be entered at one level of entry (ie., novice or journeyman, not both).
Documentation is required for all group entries.
Individuals may enter both a group entry and an individual entry within the same category.
Entrants are highly encouraged to pre-register so that appropriate judges and schedules can be arranged for judging.

If necessary an assigned judging time will be made.
Please pick up your scheduled judging time at registration.
Entrants should check the “Group Entry” box on the Entry Registration Form.

5. On the Body Judging

On the Body entries will be assigned a time for judging. Entrants should plan to arrive at the judging venue at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled start time. Please pick up your scheduled judging time at registration.
On the Body entrants are strongly encouraged to pre-register their entries.
While costuming is the most common On the Body type of entry, other categories can also be judged on the body, including: armor, cobbling, knitting, nalbinding, etc.
Entrants should check the “On the Body” box on the Entry Registration Form.

6. Performance Entries

Performance judging is open to the populace.
Pre-registration of all performance entries is strongly encouraged so that appropriate performance spaces can be reserved on the event schedule. Entries that will require more than 10 minutes total performance time and/or have special space requirements must pre-register.
Performers will assigned a time to perform. They should plan to be at the performance venue at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled start time. Please pick up your scheduled judging time at registration.
Animal/Equestrian Entries and Historical Combat are considered entries with special space requirements and must pre-register.
In the event that the Art/Sci site will not allow horses or other animals, an alternative judging opportunity will be arranged at another event

7. Alcoholic Entries

In the event that the Art/Sci site forbids alcohol of any kind, and efforts to facilitate a compromise with the site have failed, an alternative judging opportunity will be arranged at another event.

8. Documentation:

All entries are required to provide documentation. Novice, Journeyman and SCA Ambiance entries are encouraged to use the appropriate Documentation Forms. Artificer and Masterwork entries are encouraged to use the appropriate Documentation Guides.
A “Reasonable Substitution” is defined as a material or ingredient substituted for a period material or ingredient that is too expensive, too difficult to obtain, hazardous or poisonous, or illegal –OR- a method of construction or performance substituted for a period method of construction or performance that is hazardous or poisonous, illegal, too expensive, too complicated, requires tools or facilities that are unavailable to the entrant, or too time consuming for practicality. Documentation of a Reasonable Substitution includes an explanation illustrating how the substitute material or method does not detract from the overall authenticity of the item.
All documentation must include a bibliography. The bibliography needs to include all the sources consulted in the course of researching and creating the entry, including books, encyclopedias, magazine or journal articles, albums or CD’s and album/CD jackets, DVD’s and DVD jackets, internet sites, information gathered from egroups or mailing lists, personal emails or written correspondence, SCA or mundane classes and class handouts, etc. A Bibliography Guide is available from the Kingdom Minister of Arts & Sciences.(http://www.easybib.com/)
Documentation Sources – It is important to understand that the definitions we use for primary, secondary and tertiary sources for the purposes of Arts & Sciences Faires may not be the same as those used by schools, universities and other modern uses. The definitions may not even be the same from kingdom to kingdom. In Trimaris we define the types of sources used for Art/Sci documentation as follows:
- A "Primary Source" is defined as an extant (surviving) item than can be directly dated to the period that is being studied. Recipes, written instructions or instruction manuals, descriptive letters or sermons, books and other documents written during the specific period of time of the entry by someone who knew firsthand about the subject are considered primary sources. For example, an instruction manual written by a master artisan, a letter describing an outfit observed first hand, and a recipe written by the person who made the food are all considered primary sources. Actual items, such as pottery, jewelry, furniture, clothing, etc are also considered primary sources. Because it is rarely possible for people in the SCA to own and/or directly handle these items themselves photographs, facsimiles, archeological examinations and scholarly analyses of extant items are considered to be equivalent to primary sources. Period artwork is considered a primary source for the art itself (ie, portrait painting, miniature painting, illumination, etc) but not for the items it depicts.
- A “Secondary Source” can take several forms. One type of Secondary Source is defined as scholarly interpretation and/or analysis or primary material, such as a modern transcription of a piece of period music, a modern redaction of a period recipe, a modern translation of a period document, etc. In each case, the interpretation or analysis was done by someone other than the entrant. Artistic renditions of primary material, such as an accurate line drawing of a period artifact, are a Secondary Source. A period artwork is a Secondary Source for anything depicted by the artwork, for example – a portrait is a secondary source for the style of clothing it depicts because painters were unlikely to make (or even wear) most of the clothing they depicted. Documents written in period by someone who would not have first-hand knowledge of the subject are also considered Secondary Sources. For example, a sermon describing the clothing of women at court or an instruction book written by someone who is not an artist or craftsperson are both Secondary Sources. Secondary sources were all written or created by someone who could not have experienced the process or event him/herself and is relying on information from other people.
- A “Tertiary Source” is defined as an interpretation or analysis of secondary material or a source providing a broad, generalized description of period items. Tertiary sources are generally written well after the period under study and do not provide scholarly analysis of primary sources.
Avoid any secondary or tertiary sources that do not provide a bibliography or other listing of the sources they used.
Internet Sources are a good place to start, but avoid using sites that do not provide a bibliography or list of sources. All internet sites that you use should be listed in your bibliography. There is an example in the Bibliography Guide that shows how to do this.
If some of your information came from a class taught by someone in the SCA, you also need to cite the class and/or the class handout as one of your sources. There are examples in the Bibliography Guide that show you how to do this.
Plagiarism is the use, or close imitation, of the language and/or thoughts of another writer and the representation of them as one’s own original work. Plagiarism is not just using someone else’s exact words – paraphrasing (re-stating the information written by someone else in your own words) is also a form of plagiarism if you do not credit the original source of the ideas. There is a very simple way to avoid plagiarizing – list every source you use in your bibliography and provide the source every time you quote or paraphrase from someone else’s work.

9. Judges Eligibility

All interested in Judging should pre-register online here. Judges eligibility will be determined by the Kingdom Minister of Arts & Sciences.

All judges are expected to be familiar with the judging guidelines set forth in the Art/Sci Judges Rules and Guidelines.
If, for any reason, a judge cannot fully judge an entry (ie. Due to allergies, medications or medical restrictions) and their absence would reduce the judging panel to fewer than three members, the Kingdom Minister of Arts & Sciences must be notified immediately so that a replacement judge may be found.
All judges should report to the Judges meeting (generally 15 minutes prior to the faire beginning) to receive their judging assignments.

10. Scoring:

Novice entries that score at least 51 out of 60 points are eligible for recognition as an Extraordinary Novice entry at the discretion and recommendation of the Judges.
Journeyman entries that score at least 72 out of 80 points are eligible for recognition as an Extraordinary Journeyman Entry at the discretion and recommendation of the Judges.
Masterwork entries that score at least 90 out of 100 points are eligible for recognition as an Extraordinary Masterwork Entry at the discretion and recommendation of the Judges.

11. Non Pareil

A Non Pareil item is defined to be an item that is as near to an actual historical item as possible.
- Any item that has received a perfect score at the Artificer or Masterworks level may be nominated as a Non Pareil at the judges’ discretion. The KMOAS must be notified about each entry nominated for a Non Pariel so that arrangements can be made for the entire Order of the Laurel to view the entry and documentation. Each item will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- All entries nominated for a Non Pariel will have demonstrated: detailed documentation, evidence of enhanced process, project difficulty and demonstration of period workmanship.
- After all other judging has been completed, the members of the Order of the Laurel will review the entries nominated for Non Pareils. The nominating Laurel will give a short presentation of the item and its documentation. The attending members of the Order will vote on each nomination. A 90% affirmation from those Laurels present will award the item a Non Pareil. There is no limit to the number of Non Pareils that may be awarded at a single Art/Sci, however by tradition there are rarely more than two given. Non Pareil discussions and voting is restricted to members of the Order of the Laurel.

12. Champion of the Arts and Sciences

Entrants with at least two Art/Sci entries at Journeyman level or higher, excluding group entries, are eligible to compete for Champion of the Arts & Sciences. The entrant who receives the highest average score for all their qualifying entries will be named the Champion of the Arts & Sciences of Trimaris. The Champion will retain this title until the next Art/Sci Faire and may be called upon by the Crown to represent the artisans of Trimaris.

13. Patron Group of the Arts and Sciences

Points for each item entered will be tallied by group name. The group with the highest averaged score will be named the Patron Group of the Arts and Sciences of Trimaris. Patron Group of the Arts and Sciences will be awarded at each Art/Sci Faire.

14. Acclaims

Crowns’ Acclaim – Best entry or presentation/display chosen by Their Royal Majesties. The item need not be competitive.
Coronets’ Acclaim – Best entry or presentation/display chosen by Their Highnesses. The item need not be competitive.
Laurels’ Acclaim – Best entry or presentation/display receiving the most Laurels signatures.
Popular Acclaim – Best entry or presentation/display that receives the most votes from the populace by bead in the cup method during the afternoon of the faire.