The culmination of the project

We spent the weekend reading essays looking at art projects and filling out forms. All checks have been placed in the mail today.
We want to thank everyone who participated. The entries were varied and swung from the comical to the profoundly sad. It would have been a hard choice no doubt, but we were thrilled to read about the plans that some of you have for your art and your place in the world and we encourage all of you to keep the pursuit active! Despite the failure to bring in enough entries we are happy to have tried this. We are deeply disappointed not to have been able to pass the house to one of the entrants. I know good things would have risen from that. We hope that good thing rise simply from participating. Art moves the world. So keep writing and painting, singing and dancing, without that, life lacks electricity.

Peter and Rebecca

Contest terminated

We are very sorry folks but we did not reach the number of entries needed to give the house away. We also did not reach a number that would make sense to extend the deadline. It seemed like a good idea... The house is being rented and we are moving on to new projects. Thank you to all who participated. The number of entries is so low that we can handle the return mail if you didn't send an SASE. If we can't find someones address, we will post it here.

Thanks again

Peter and Rebecca

Ooops we inadvertantly deleted the email address which is winthishouse09@gmail.com for any questions. Everyone should get their entry fee returned by the end of the month, with the exception of international entries, those might take longer in the mail. Thank you

Contest begins!

Please take the time to read the entire site here for all the rules and criteria. We would be upset if someone were to be ruled out because they did not read everything. We have had requests to enter from non-artists. We believe that that is another contest that someone else, perhaps inspired by this contest, my choose to run, however this contest is what it is. An essay contests for artists of all genres; musical, visual, dramatic, dance, writing etc. Our suggestion if you are not an artist and would like to enter the contest, would be that you team up with an artist that you are willing to share the house with. The house will be awarded to the artist with the best essay. Thanks to everyone who chooses to participate. The article listed below was published last week in the Portsmouth Herald.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20091217-NEWS-912170407

Update: Artists you can team up as well - you must submit separate entries but put both names on the entry form if you want to share the house. Team up on your essay, team up on the house and studio, team up on the taxes...sound good? Sharing is nice anytime of year.

UPDATE: we have been approached to publish entries or tour as an art show. Get famous folks! Any and all proceeds would go to an art related charity or scholarship.

Updates and information

PLEASE read carefully. DO NOT submit essays to us directly!


Send essays to:
Artists House Essay Contest
P.O. Box 783
Kittery, ME 03904
Must be postmarked no earlier than December 15, 2009. No submissions other than official downloads will be accepted. NO electronic submissions will be accepted. We tried to set up an electronic submission system but it proved too complicated and too expensive. So snail mail it is. Make sure your entry is legible. No duplicate submissions accepted. You may enter as often as you like, you may collaborate, but each entry MUST be separate and original. Each entry must be accompanied by a $50. bank check, travelers check or postal money order,

Make checks payable to: Artists House Essay Contest

Please refer to the twitter feed for up to the minute updates. For those of you not familiar with twitter, simply click on the little bluebird to the right of the text and you will automatically be taken to our twitter feed. It is simple and free to join and then you can follow the updates automatically. We will post as the number of entries climb so everyone will know when we are close to closing the entry acceptance window. Can't wait to hear how the world will benefit. Thanks! It's a beautiful day here in Maine!

See all other info in previous post:

Basic Info

Why are we doing this? We are both artists, (a musician and an illustrator) we got together and found that we had one house too many. This house is standing empty. That seems like such a waste. It is a tough economy and we know how hard it can be to obtain a mortgage when you are a self-employed artist. We are going on the road and don't want to wait for the house to regain value next year. We LOVE the idea of being able to give a home to someone who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford or qualify for one. That is the most exciting part of all. We don't have a lot of equity in the house so we are limiting the amount of entries to just paying off the mortgage and lawyers fees. The house is in move in condition, sweet, in a great little neighborhood - Take a look!


Please sumbit your entry with BOTH of the following documents:

Registrant Info Form
Essay Submission Form

Here are the basic rules:

The contest is open to anyone in the Arts, any field; musical, dramatic, visual, writing etc. if in doubt, ask. Entries will be limited to 4,000. when we reach that number the contest will close. If we do not reach 4,000 entries by June 1st 2010, we will close the contest and determine if the house can still be given away if not, everyone who submitted will receive a refund. We will post when the entry level is reaching maximum. We will post when the limit is reached and the contest is closed.

You must be at least 18 years of age at the time you enter the contest.

You must write 500 words or less expressing how the world will be a better place if you win this house. You cannot use names of people or names of specific towns. Essay entries will be anonymous. Pertinent information must be submitted on the separate form provided to insure anonymity. Spelling does not count, (we are artists after all) but content does. The essay can take the form of poetry, dialog or song verse if you choose.

You must include a $50.00 entry fee. Bank checks or money orders only. Enter as often as you wish.

We will hold 2 Open Houses for anyone wishing to view the house in person. Take a tour of the house and plan to be impressed! Note: on house site, scroll under main photo for additional photos of property.

The house must be lived in by the winner for a period of no less that one year, the deed will be held in trust for that time.

All taxes, including Maine transfer tax, are the responsibility of the winner.

All essays become the property of the contest and will not be returned. All rights assigned.

There will be three place winners chosen, in the case that the winner is unable to accept the house or does not meet the criteria, the house will pass to the second place essay and then to the third, if necessary. All winners will be required to show proof of accuracy of declarations.

If you wish please copy and print these rules to refer to as you write your essay.

The contest begins on December 15th 2009 and ends when we have reached maximum entries (4,000) , or June 1, 2010 whichever comes first. Good luck!