Dear Dyslexic Foundation
Faces of Dyslexia
2020 National Portrait Competition

 

The Dear Dyslexic Foundation (DDF) ‘Faces of Dyslexia’ portrait competition invites dyslexic artists, both professional and amateur, to create a self-portrait in whatever medium they choose and submit it for judging. The top 12 will be featured in our 2021 DDF ‘Faces of Dyslexia’ calendar.

Entries open on 1 July 2020 and close at 11.59pm on 31 August 2020. Entries postmarked by 5pm on 31 Augugst 2020 will be accepted.

Entrants are encouraged to visit the National Portrait Gallery’s website ‘The Amazing Face’ for more information on what constitutes a self-portrait.

Entry

Entry is free.

Entrants must identify as dyslexic or having another learning disability.

This is a self-portrait competition, and entries must be substantially the work of the entrant and not another artist. Entrants may seek some assistance, but the work must be original and of the entrant themselves.

Entries will be accepted via email to [email protected]. Entrants should photograph their work, save it to JPEG and send it along with a short biography of no more than 200 words (either audio or written). Entrants may use a scribe or editor.

Entrants who do not have access email, can post their entry to Faces of Dyslexia Portrait Competition, PO Box 5123, Moreland, Victoria, 3055. Please ensure due care is applied to packing to ensure the work arrives in a satisfactory condition.

Entrants should be aware their work may be published both on the DDF website and in a calendar. It is a condition of entry that entrants approve further publication of their portraits.

Entrants aged 18 and under must have parental consent due to publishing requirements.

Judging

A panel of judges will shortlist entires to the top 30 which will be featured on the DDF website through the month of October. These entries will be open for voting and donations. DDF will open up voting to the public and the entry which raises the most amount of money will be featured in the calendar as the Face of Dyslexia in October 2021.

The panel will further shortlist the remaining 30 entries to 11, and these will form the other months of the calendar.

The panel’s decision will be final and no correspondence entered into.

People’s choice award

The top 30 finalists as chosen by the panel of judges, will be published on the DDF website and throughout the month of October, people will be able to donate to support their favourite self-portrait. The winner of this award will be the self-portrait that raises the most amount of funds to help you raise money. DDF will set up a donation page for you where people can view your art and make a donation

These funds will be used by DDF for education, awareness campaigns, support and services provided by DDF. 

We know that:

• 1 in 10 people have dyslexia
• Dyslexic adults are 46% more likely to attempt suicide compared to the general population
• Up to 40% of incarcerated people have been identified as dyslexic

These funds will be used to continue our commitment to raising awareness of dyslexia through direct action and education. We share stories of people living with dyslexia and carry out research to contribute towards evidence-informed practice. The Foundation gives young people and adults a platform to share their lived experience of dyslexia and other learning disabilities. We use storytelling to give people a voice, empowering young people and adults with dyslexia to reach their full potential.

Donations over $2 are tax-deductible.

Publishing requirements

DDF intends to publish the successful entries on both the website and in a printed calendar. As such DDF will be responsible for publishing and entries that are defamatory, profane, pornographic, will not be published. Entrants are also asked to submit their own work, and to respect the intellectual property of other artists and cultures. Click here for more information on cultural appropriateness.