During the SJAF we want attendees to not only have a good time but we also want them to engage in the voting process. In order to effectively do this, here is what voters need to know.

• Voters will be able to cast one vote for “People’s Choice”

The “People’s Choice” award will be given to the artist or performer with the best artistic display or performance based on overall quality, creativity and relationship to social justice. It will be up to the voters to interpret what those elements mean and to cast a vote for the work that most closely aligns with that personal interpretation.

• Voters can only vote for 1 artist for this award regardless of category.

• Voters can only vote once.

• Artists are allowed to vote for their own work.

• Votes will be cast electronically during the SJAF Closing Ceremony via Zoom.

  1. • Note: Because voting will happen during the closing ceremony on Thursday January 21, 2021, please consider the artist you intend to vote for prior to the ceremony.

People’s Choice Award (Awarded by SJAF attendees)

The “People’s Choice” award will be given to the artist or performer with the best artistic display or performance based on overall quality, creativity and relationship to social justice. It will be up to the voters to interpret what those elements mean and to cast a vote for the work that most closely aligns with that personal interpretation.

Most Inspiring -Visual Art Award (Awarded by external committee)

The “Most Inspiring-Visual Art” award will be given to an artist with an entry classified as one of the SJAF approved visual categories. The winning piece will be selected by an external committee based on determined rubric.

Most Inspiring -Performance Art Award (Awarded by external committee)

The “Most Inspiring-Performance Art” award will be given to an artist with an entry classified as one of the performance categories. The winning piece will be selected by an external committee based on determined rubric.

Most “Out of the Box” Award (Awarded by SJAF Committee)

The “Out of the Box” award will be given to the artist or performer with the most unique artistic concept or creative medium. The winning piece will be selected by the SJAF committee based on originality, effort, level of risk, level of artistry and overall quality of work. In addition, the committee will consider how the artist communicates their artistic vision in relationship to social justice starting from the application process through the completion of the festival.

The audience will be asked to cast their vote for the visual or performance that best fits with their idea of People’s choice during the Closing Ceremony on Thursday, January 21, 2021 via Zoom. The artist that receives the majority votes for people’s choice will be declared the winner of the award. The external and SJAF committees will utilize a rubric to determine the winner of the committee’s choice and most inspiring visual and performance art category and decide the winner based on the entry that best captures the essence of the SJAF rubric.

1. Individual submissions can only win in one category.

2. If an individual submission earns top votes for multiple categories SJAF will determine the winning category unless one of the winning categories is “People’s Choice” in which case that will be the default winning assignment.

3. All prize money for individual and group winners will be cycled through the MSU Financial aid office. If the winner is a student organization, the money can be deposited directly to the student organization student life account for organizational use.

4. If performance is group based and a winner is selected, contestants will need to specify how the prize money will be split. Funds will not be distributed until this has been addressed by the artist. MSU faculty and staff are not eligible for prize money.

5. In the event of a tie, the SJAF committee will review both entries and vote collectively and serve as the tie breaker.

6. All winners will be announced at the virtual Closing Ceremony on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 7 PM (EST) via zoom.