Kingdom Arts and Sciences – Ansteorra Arts and Sciences

Kingdom Arts and Sciences (KAS) is the premier Arts event in Ansteorra. It is where the highest caliber of artistry and research is displayed, and where the highest level of feedback by Laurels and subject matter experts is given.

Kingdom Arts and Sciences is a unique opportunity to compete in that you do not compete with the other entrants. You will only be competing against your own excellence. Each person that scores over a 40 will recive a token of excellence.

Royal Artisan

The Crown may or may not audition and choose the Royal Artisan from the competition. The Royal Artisan may not have the highest score if chosen that day. Entrants for the Gulf Wars arts tournament may or may not be chosen that day, and those may also be chosen regardless of score. These are both at the complete discretion of the Crown.

Gulf Wars Arts Entries

Entrants for the Gulf Wars arts tournament may or may not be chosen that day by the crown. Entrants may also be chosen regardless of score. These are both at the complete discretion of the crown and should be in consultation with the Coronet and Heirs.

Rules for Entry

Preregistration– All entrants need to preregister before the registration deadline. If you see a list of entrants posted and you are not on that list, please contact the Kingdom MOAS immediately. Also let your local MOAS know if you are new and need assistance with your first entry.
Follow Policy – You must adhere to the policies on the front of the Ansteorra Arts and Sciences Website. Any violation of these policies may disqualify your entry.
Once Per Category – You may only enter a single item per category and all entries must have documentation. If your entry has multiple pieces, (example, a Rennaissance dress with, hat, hose, and ruff) it will be considered one entry, and all pieces need to be in your documentation. It is difficult to be successful in more than two categories. Please keep that in mind. If multiple entries are brought to the competition, it is at the Kingdom Minister in consultation with the judges as to which single piece will be judged and this will not be subject to appeal.
Double Entry in Performance and Static Categories – If you have a performance of an original piece, you may enter the same item in both performance and static entry as long as you only enter once in each category. You will need separate documentation.
Multi-entrant Projects – You may enter a multi-person project. However, each entrant may still only enter once per category and will not be allowed to enter separately.
Spilt Projects – You can also enter one piece that two entrants worked on (Example: a dress made by one, beading and embroidery by another entrant). This will require separate documentation for each entrant and will be judged by separate judges.
Finished Entry – All items must be complete. Likewise, please take care to make sure your entry looks finished (Examples: marker not washed out of embroidery, loose threads everywhere, grout all over tiles, research paper in four fonts, etc.) Not a requirement but guaranteed to improve your scores. Incomplete items are very welcome at Laurel’s Prize or can be DISPLAY ONLY to receive comments. This does not make you an entrant in the competition but is good for new artists to get feedback. This is dependent on available space on a first come first served basis. You also may not be permitted to enter the item again. Please plan accordingly.
Piece Entered Previously – There is no rule that your piece has not been shown before, but it cannot be shown multiple times in KAS unless it is in a different category (Example: a poem was entered in 2017 but you decide to perform it in 2022.) Please keep in mind if your judge has seen this all over the kingdom multiple times, it may leave a bad impression. The recommendation to avoid this is to enter once locally, once in your region and once outside your region. If items are pulled from the competition and into display only and you want to resubmit for the next year, please contact the KMOAS a month before KAS so they may consult with your display advocates on if this should be permitted.
Check Your Category – We will contact you if your item is entered in the wrong category if it is known before the competition. We may ask you to move your entry to another category if it does not meet the requirements. We want everyone to succeed and have a good eye towards what will get you the best feedback and scores. If you do not allow a change of category, know that you may be unhappy with your score and will not be able to appeal. Please review the requirements above the judging sheets for clarity.
Tell Us What To Judge – You will need to designate what is to be judged on your entry for static and performance (example: judge the embroidery and not the pouch it is on).
Meet the Deadlines – There is a deadline for entry and submission of all documentation approximately two weeks before the event to allow for review by your judges and to make sure we have subject matter experts. You must make the this submission deadline. If you are unable to make the documentation deadline, for any reason at all, please contact the Kingdom MOAS to ask for an extension. We are very flexible and will work with you, and your judges for the best outcome. (For example, we had several late submissions in 2023 that were not only late but after the competition. We worked and got everyone accommodated that requested an extension. Though not everyone was scored, judging and feedback was given on the submission. You will be allowed to bring some errata to the event if needed.
Day of vs Prior to Event Judging – Documentation for Static, and Expriemental Archeology, will require day of judging. Any judged items must be present the day of the event. This can be sent by a third party; you do not need to be personally at the event for your entry to be scored. This will not apply to Royal Artisan, (see above).
Meet With Your Judge – You will have the ability to meet your judges after scoring is done, recorded and sheets put away. This will allow you to receive feedback from your judges for guidance on your next entry. This is completely optional, and your answer will NOT affect your socoring in any way. You will be asked if you want to participate during sign up. However, you are free to change your mind at any time before the event. Judges likewise have an option to opt in or out of meeting artists.If you are not present, then we will ask your judge to email you or set up a call to help you with your next steps. If nothing else you get to meet another person that loves your art.
Research Paper Scoring – Research papers will generally be judged remotely prior to the competion. Scores will be provided at or after the event depending on if you are in attendance. Research papers are NOT “extra” documentation for a static item. They are a stand alone entry. The requirements for research papers are very specific and have a rubric they are scored on. If you are interested in submitting a research paper, please see the judging rubric to be sure you are following the guidelines. You are welcome to request table space for display of your paper and any additional visuals that will enhance that work. Let us know at signup as this may change who judges your work so they can see the visual. However, these physical objects are NOT considered part of the paper, will not be judged on their own construction and materials. This may or may not affect the final score. An editor is highly recommended before submission.
Experimental Archeology – Experimental Archeology must have an hypothisis in order for it to meet the requirements. You will need to receive prior approval from the KMOAS to enter this category. This preapproval should be requested before you begin work on the project. Please do not submit in the Experimental Archeology category if you only have additional visuals but no hypothesis. We are currently reviewing the Experimental Archeology score sheet for updates and clarifications. Be aware, if you are currently working on an EA project, the rubric may change before the next competition. Please contact the KMOAS for additional guidance.
Remote and Live Performance Entries – Performance documentation needs to be submitted at the entry deadline before the competition. The entry may be performed live at the event or a video can be sent with your documentation. You also have the option to do both, but the live performance will take precedence and will be the one scored. The video will only be considered if you are unable to be present at the event.
Ask for Accommodations – We have a process for accommodations for anyone differently abled. Please email accomodations@moas.ansteorra.org or contact your regional or Kingdom DEI officer and they will contact the A&S accommodations deputy. We respect your privacy, and will not ask what your issue is but please come with an idea of what might work to accommodate your needs. For example, we had a blind entrant and a gentle that was functionally illiterate who were scored first and then provided feedback at their table. We also had an entrant that had mobility needs that we accommodated with table placement.
Food Safety – Food entries must follow all of the food safety policy rules (posted separately at the front of the webpage )and will be able to sign up for a judging slot to make sure the entry is at its peak. Judges always have the right to refuse to consume anything they deem unsafe and this cannot be appealed.
Documentation Style – Please refer to the policy on the front of the website, but no published document form is preferred and you will not be penalized by using APA over Turabian for example. Chicago Elements of Style has become most popular with history academics.
Appeals – Any score appeal will need to be done no later than two weeks after the event. Again , food entries that were not consumed will not be eligible for an appeal.
Stay in Period – Please keep your item prior to 1600. Some allowances will be made for items that may be out of period but can be documented to period. (Examples: visuals of music published in 1610, but have a documentable reference in another source prior to 1600, another is a dress from 1602 but the fashion was known to have not changed since 1590). Any other item outside period will be evaluated with documentation by a subject matter expert before being disqualified.
We Have the Whole World – There is no area of the world that is out of bounds as long as it is within the time period boundery of 1600. See the judging policy on the front of the website or contact the Kingdom MOAS for questions.
Non-Judges Must Leave the Judging Area – If you are in the competion you may not be in the area when the competition is being judged. Accomodations entries may be present as part of their accomodations, but efforts will be taken to isolate this from the other entries. Gentles that need to be present with a judge for their safety or medical reasons will be accomodated as needed as long as they are not in the competion. There will be an opportunity to view all the entries after judging is complete.
Shadow Judging – All shadow judges need to be escorted by a Laurel. This applies to apprentices as well as non-apprenticed artists. If you have an entry in the competition, you will not be allowed to be in the display area containing your entry until after scoring is complete. This includes students and associates, as well as competition and event staff.
Have Fun – If participating is not fun, don’t stress. There is no requirement in Ansteorra to compete in KAS. Please contact the Kingdom MOAS if you have concerns or ideas to make the competion serve all our artists. The goal is to compete against your own excellence, and find new ways to grow in your art. Whereas, this venue is not for everyone, we can always improve.