FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What art can I/we submit?
You may submit any visual art, any performance art, any musical art and any film.
How do we submit our art?
All art may be submitted on the submission form. You may also contact yfsart@iszl.ch to receive the link to the form over email. In the form, you will be asked for your personal information and a file containing your submission. If your art is being shipped in for display on the day of YFS, please still submit a photograph of the submission.
What will happen to my submission?
If your submission is physical, a digital image must be submitted first by November 20. It may be physically displayed on the day of the YFS Art Festival if the artwork has been shipped in.
If your submission is an audio file, it will be available for attendees to listen to on the day of the YFS Art Festival.
If your submission is a video, it will be available for attendees to digitally view on the day of the YFS Art Festival.
If your submission is a document file or non-audio, it will be displayed on the day of the YFS Art Festival, either physically or digitally.
After YFS, some submissions will be displayed on the YFS website. If you do not wish to have your submission displayed on the website, please state so in the submission form.
How will I ship my artwork to Switzerland?
Any physical artwork from artists located in Switzerland may be shipped in for physical display on the day of YFS. Any art from outside of Switzerland may unfortunately not be shipped in and will be displayed digitally. YFS will cover the costs of shipping artwork to the festival, but not any return shipping costs. Artists may pick up their art after the day of YFS at the ISZL Riverside campus however YFS will not ship art back to the artist.
Is it mandatory to submit an artist statement about your art?
Yes, it is mandatory and we highly encourage you to do so, to give your audience a better understanding of you as an artist and your work.
What format should my/our artist statement be in?
Your artist statement can be written, audio recorded or video recorded.
Is there a word/time limit for the artist statement?
250 words or 60-second recording.
What do I include in my artist statement?
Anything that is related to your art, you as an artist, your inspiration and/or your process. This may include your background, a description of your art, an explanation of how your submission was created or anything you feel is appropriate to add.
Do I/we submit multiple artist statements, or just one?
You submit one artist statement per submission, but multiple people may contribute to one artist statement.
Can I submit my submission anonymously?
The submission form must be submitted with your name, however submissions may be displayed anonymously at YFS upon your request. There is a specific section for you to express your preference in the submission form.
Can I go by another name or a stage name?
The submission form must be submitted with your name, however submissions may be displayed with another name, like a stage name at YFS upon your request. There is a specific section for you to express your preference in the submission form.
Do members of a group have to be from the same school?
You do not have to be from the same school, however, each group can represent only one school.
If we are a group, do we fill in one submission form for our group, or one submission form for each member of our group?
You submit one submission form as a group. If you are submitting multiple submissions, you submit one submission form per piece of art.
If I/we want to submit more than one submission, do we fill out one submission form for all submissions, or one submission form for each submission?
You fill in one submission form for each art submission.
Does my/our art have to follow a specific genre or topic?
All art submissions must revolve around the theme of growth. There is no specific genre to follow.
How many people can work on one art submission?
There is no limit to the number of people who can work, help or contribute to the submission.
Can we get help from adults? How much help?
The work should come primarily from students, with minimal help from adults. Adults/mentors may help with digital aspects (such as submissions).
What do I/we do if we have more questions or concerns?
For further inquiries, email yfsart@iszl.ch, and we will do our best to answer your questions and concerns.
MUSIC FAQ
Must I/we have a person singing?
No, you do not need to have a person singing in your performance.
Are lyrics allowed to have explicit words?
Yes, explicit words are allowed, as long as there is no hateful, discriminatory or offensive content.
Can we perform a cover of a song/performance?
Yes, you may perform a cover of a song/performance.
If our lyrics are in another language, do we attach the original lyrics in the original language or the translated lyrics on the submission form?
You must attach the original lyrics on the submission form, however you may also attach English translations if you want to.
Can we submit only sheet music?
Yes, you may submit only sheet music, you do not need to include anyone playing the music. Please submit a digital file or a scanned copy of the sheet music.
What instruments can I/we use for my/our submission:
You may use any instruments you wish to.
Do I/we have to play an instrument in my/our submission:
No, you do not have to play an instrument.
VISUAL ART FAQ
Can I/we submit digital artwork?
Yes, you may submit digital artwork as a file on the submission form.
Do I/we have to submit a photo of our artwork if we are sending it to Switzerland?
Yes, you need to provide us with a photo of your artwork, even if it is being shipped for physical display (only for artists located in Switzerland).
Can I/we submit photography as visual art?
Yes, you may submit photography as visual art, as long as it is your own art and you took the photograph.
PERFORMANCE ARTS FAQ
How long can my TED style talk be?
Your TED style talk may be up to 7 minutes long.
Does my TED Talk have to be a video, or can it just be an audio file?
Your TED Talk can just be an audio file, however we encourage it to be a video.
Does my/our performance art video need a stage or professional lighting?
No, professional staging or lighting are not required. However, videos should be of high quality to create a better viewing experience for the audience.
Can my/our performance art video be filmed with an audience in the background?
Yes, you may have an audience in the background, as long as it is not distracting and does not decrease the video and audio quality.
Does my/our performance art submission have to be a video?
No, you may submit an audio file instead.
Can we perform a performance created by another artist?
Yes, you may perform a performance created by another artist, but appropriate credit is due.
FILM FAQ
Does the cast all have to be between 13 and 18 years old?
No, the cast may be any age. The creator of the film however must be between 13 and 18 years old by January 1st 2024.
Can we create the film as a group?
Yes, you may create and submit the film as a group
What genre can my/our film be?
Your film may be any genre, however it must revolve around the theme of growth.