The National YoS Zine-a-thon contest is here -- but you can still contribute prizes!

First the background...

Well, in true COPUS networking fashion, we had the pleasure of meeting Andrew Yang, an Art Institute of Chicago science professor who shared with us his project called the "Small Science Collective" a grassroots Web site where Andy collects and shares science "zines" - mini science magazines - that we thought were a wonderful way to share science and to make connections between science and art! Please see April's COPUS Clarion to learn more!

Then the launch!

The open submission period for the contest is May 1,2009- November 1, 2009. The contest will culminate in a judging by Andrew's students at the Art Institute and the Field Museum in Chicago in November/December of this year. Individuals of all ages are invited to submit their original zine concepts and artwork. Outstanding submissions will be added to the Small Science Collective library to help build this great resource. For each Year of Science 2009 theme, we will be offering award prizes to 3 artists: youth (ages 8 - 12); high school (ages 13-17) and adult (ages 18 and older) - a total of 36 winners. In order to do that, we need your help!

Now to the nitty gritty on sponsorship!

If your organization is willing to help sponsor or support this contest by contributing a prize(s) - no matter how big or small - please sign-up as a prize contributor. Our hope is that each winner would receive several small items from the COPUS participants that they could enjoy - perhaps an item from your gift shop, marketing materials, or bookshelf - or a giftcard that they could use as they wish. We are hoping that for each theme, the winners will receive a couple of items from our COPUS participants to celebrate their selection as the "YoS Zines about Themes" contest winners. You will not be asked to send the prize to the recipient until Dec 2009 or early Jan 2010.

The name of your organization will be added to the contest overview page, once you have completed the prize registration form.

If you have additional questions -- or would like to learn more about becoming a major sponsor of the contest, please contact admin@copusproject.org.