The competition is geared toward getting people involved in the arts, and entry is restricted to Novice Artisans - specifically those who have not yet been given a Grant Level arts award. The idea is to provide some mentorship for newer artisans by the Crucible and Laurels. The entrants get some feedback and have the opportunity to meet others who do similar stuff. It also is a great opportunity for folks to hone their judging skills.

 

If someone wishes to enter, they find a sponsor - someone who has a Crucible (or equivalent Grant Level award) or a Member of the Order of the Laurel. The hope is that the Crucibles and Laurels would make it known they want to sponsor folks. The sponsor acts like a mentor, and helps prepare the person and answer questions about documentation, is there to bounce ideas off of... that sort of thing. 

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Entries do not have to be 100% completed, it can be a work progress or even a failed attempt. Documentation does not need to be a novel or dissertation - a basic what, why, how, what inspired it, etc is great.  Even a photo journal of your work would be fun to see!

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In addition, all the items are on display and everyone who attends the event is encouraged to walk around and view the entries and see which ones they are particularly impressed with, and leave small tokens like beads or treats for entrant's, to say "Hey, I really think this is nifty".

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Every sponsor donates one prize for every person they sponsor, but their prize does not go to one of the entrants they sponsor.

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During the judging, the entrant has a sit down session with ideally 3 judges in discussion format. This is for friendly feed back and the judges evaluate the entrants' projects, make suggestions as far as what could be done differently, how to improve the documentation, what resources the entrant might not be aware of and more. Its "Intro to Judging 101", in a non-threatening, non-confrontational environment with the main goal of encouraging people who don't have a lot of experience with competition. The 'judging' is more like a round table where people sit with the entrant and give them face to face feedback and would be a sharing of information and ideas. Entrants are encouraged to ask questions!

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Towards the end of the day, the sponsors will go and get the name of an entrant with a project that they like.  It's a good idea to have several in mind in case someone else has already grabbed the name you wanted. The idea is that everyone who enters gets a prize from someone just for entering. During court the sponsors hand the herald the name, the entrant gets called up and receives their prize from a sponsor. 

 

There will be a Queen's Choice for the entry Her Majesty is best pleased by. We will also have a Judge's choice entrant (not to be the same as the Queen's choice).