NASA And Etsy Partner On A New Type Of Spacecraft
WASHINGTON -- NASA and Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade arts and crafts, have partnered to launch "Space Craft," a contest where entrants share an original handmade item or work of art inspired by NASA and NASA's programs, such as the Space Shuttle Program and human spaceflight, aeronautics, science and exploration of the universe.Contestants can enter two-dimensional original art (painting,
drawing, prints, mixed media, photographic, and computer generated
prints). Three-dimensional entries, including wearable art and soft sculptures, also may be entered.
The contestants will compete for one grand prize and three
best-in-category prizes. The contest's grand prizewinner will receive
a $500 Etsy-funded shopping spree. Etsy also will pay the winner's
way to attend the space shuttle launch targeted for February 2011.
NASA's goal is to help inform Etsy's 5.5 million members, 96 percent
of whom are women, most under age 35, about the agency's present and
future exploration plans.
"The contest reaches an important audience NASA would like to better
engage to help share the excitement that is America's space program,"
said Doug Comstock, director of Partnerships, Innovation and
Commercial Space in NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist at NASA
Headquarters in Washington. "These craftspeople will bring new
perspectives that can help communicate NASA's mission and inspire our
next generation of explorers in new ways."
Space Craft runs through Nov. 2. Entries will be judged online by
viewers of the Etsy website. A panel of crafters and designers
identified by Etsy and NASA will narrow the selection and select the
winners. The winning entries will be selected Feb. 1, 2011.
For more information about the contest and contest rules, visit:
http://www.etsy.com/nasa
For more information about NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist and
partnerships, visit:
http://go.usa.gov/aCb
Source: NASA
