ARTICLE 1 – Aims
1.1 The Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia, specifically the Burano Lace Museum, presents the 11th National Competition for Needle Lace and Bobbin Lace, with the theme “Il Paradiso della Divina Commedia” (Paradiso, the third and final part of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy).
1.2 With this initiative, the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia aims to promote at national level a fine hand craft which, today more than ever, is threatened with extinction.
ARTICLE 2 – Participants
2.1 The competition is national and open to all makers of needle lace and bobbin lace.
2.2 The competition is divided into the following sections:
- Needle lace: subsection “traditional” (in that it reflects tradition in terms of technique, colour and design);
subsection “contemporary” (in that the interpretation uses coloured yarns and a variety of materials). - Bobbin lace: subsection “traditional” (in that it reflects tradition in terms of technique, colour and design);
subsection “contemporary” (in that the interpretation uses coloured yarns and a variety of materials).
ARTICLE 3 – Application for entry
3.1 Entry to the competition is by sending the requested documents, completed fully and legibly.
3.2 Forms must be posted to the Burano Lace Museum, Piazza Galuppi, Burano, 30012 Venice, to arrive no later than 16:00 on 14 February 2025, or emailed to museo.merletto@fmcvenezia.it
ARTICLE 4 – Execution of items
4.1 Works must be hand made and not previously exhibited.
4.2 Works may use fibres such as silk, cotton or linen; however, additional materials may also be used, except glass and crystal.
ARTICLE 5 – Sending the items
5.1 Each lacemaker may enter only one item per section.
5.2 Entries must arrive no later than 16:00 on 31 May 2025 at the Burano Lace Museum, Piazza Galuppi Burano – 30012 Venice.
5.3 Entries should display a card indicating only the title of the work; signatures or other identifying details must absolutely not appear, the penalty being immediate disqualification from the competition.
5.4 Entries should be accompanied by a sealed envelope bearing only the title of the work.
5.5 The envelope should contain:
- the attached forms, fully and legibly completed
- a statement by the artist explaining the background and inspiration of the work.
5.6 Where entries are sent by post or courier, the packaging should bear the following words:
“Artwork for entry in a competition – no commercial value”.
ARTICLE 6 – Evaluation of the works
6.1 Entries will initially be examined by a Committee consisting of the Director of the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia, the Head of the Burano Lace Museum and a representative of the Fondazione Andriana Marcello.
6.2 The Committee’s decision is final regarding entries received and their subsequent admission to the competition.
6.3 Any works rejected by the Committee will not enter the competition, and will be returned to their owners with appropriate reasons.
ARTICLE 7 – Exclusion from the competition
The following are automatically excluded from the competition:
7.1 Works which have appeared in other competitions or exhibitions.
7.2 Works based on antique or traditional designs which, by whatever means, may have come to public attention.
7.3 Works which do not meet the stated criteria for entry.
7.4 Works which do not comply with the terms of presentation and the methods of entry stipulated in this document.
ARTICLE 8 – Composition of the Panel and assessment criteria
8.1 The Panel will consist of:
- The Director of the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia
- The Head of the Burano Lace Museum
- A representative of the Fondazione Andriana Marcello
- 3 needle lace experts appointed by the aforementioned Committee
- 3 bobbin lace experts appointed by the aforementioned Committee.
8.2 The Panel will meet in June 2025 to begin their consideration of the entries.
8.3 The following assessment criteria will be used: originality, difficulty, technique used, material, precision of execution, overall aesthetic impact and compliance with the competition theme.
8.4 The Panel’s task is to identify a minimum of three and a maximum of five works in each subsection, choosing the best entries, which will subsequently automatically form part of the Burano Lace Museum’s collection.
8.5 Administration of the competition will be handled by the Secretary of the Burano Lace Museum, who can be contacted Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 15:00 (tel +39 041 730034).
ARTICLE 9 – Caveat
9.1 Regarding the quality of the works presented, the Panel has the option of not identifying the best in each subsection.
9.2 All entrants will receive a certificate of participation.
9.3 The results of the competition will be announced in a press conference scheduled for June 2025 at the Burano Lace Museum.
ARTICLE 10 – Exhibition
10.1 The competition includes the display of all pieces selected by the Committee in an exhibition at the Burano Lace Museum. An exhibition catalogue will also be published.
10.2 The Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia has sole responsibility for choosing the display space for each piece and for all arrangements, including insurance cover.
ARTICLE 11 – Returning the works
11.1 Works which are not considered among the most valuable will be returned directly to their maker (or appointed person) within 30 days of the end of the exhibition, subject to informing the museum secretary, or in any case on Mondays between 9:00 and 16:00 unless other arrangements have been made.
11.2 Items may be sent by post or by courier, with costs payable by the recipient.
ARTICLE 12 – Permission, use and reproduction of images and acceptance of regulations
12.1 Works entered may be used for photographic shoots for promotion and press releases to publicise the competition.
12.2 For this purpose, participation in the competition and the exhibition entails the entrant’s granting the right to use images of her/his work and her/his unconditional acceptance of all the regulations stipulated in this document.
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For information
Burano Lace Museum – Piazza Galuppi, Burano 30012 – Venice
Tel./Fax 0039 041-730034
Email museo.merletto@fmcvenezia.it