Canadian Cartographic Association Student Mapping Competition

Are you a University or College student passionate about mapping? Then you will want to participate in the 2015-16 Canadian Cartographic Association Student Mapping Competition. Chances are you have already made some great maps for your projects or course work, so why not submit a copy to the CCA Student Mapping Competition and get recognized for creating your spatial master piece while earning some cash at the same time.

CCA President’s Prize

The CCA President’s Prize recognizes excellence in student map design and production and is open to all post-secondary students who have completed and produced a cartographic project in the preceding school year. The year’s President’s Prize Competition will consist of two prizes of $250, one for entries from college-level or CEGEP students, and one for entries from university-level students in the thematic map category:

A thematic map is a map that is meant to communicate a specific single subject matter within a particular geographic area. They are often defined as special purpose maps and can be either quantitative or qualitative in nature. The International Cartographic Association (ICA) defines the thematic map this way: “A map designed to demonstrate particular features or concepts. In conventional use this term excludes topographic maps” (Dent 1999, 8).

The cartographic project will consist of a single map. There are no restrictions on size but the project must have been completed and produced during the school year preceding the competition. Cartographic projects will consist of a map or a map series forming a coherent whole and may be submitted in any finished form (on paper or other medium). Entries submitted in electronic media, whether GIS or internet mapping applications, should not require specialized software for viewing.

Each entry must be accompanied by a clear and succinct statement of design objectives that will weigh heavily in the judges’ decision. In addition, entries will be judged on the basis of creativity and overall effectiveness in communication as well as excellence in compilation, design, and layout. Students must be enrolled at a Canadian University or College to be eligible to submit their maps made in the 2014/15 academic year. Deadline for submission is May 20, 2016.

Carto-Québec Prize

The Carto-Quebec prize is a special annual competition for the best student-authored cartographic product created in French. Theaward has been established through a gift from the former Association Carto-Québec to promote and recognize excellence in map design.

The competition is open to all post-secondary students in Canada who have completed and produced a cartographic project in the preceding school year. The Carto-Québec Prize will consist of two awards of $500, one for entries from college-level or CEGEP students, and one for entries from university-level students. The Carto-Quebec prize must be in French. Deadline for submission is May 20, 2016.

Carte soumissions pour ce concours suivent les mêmes lignes directrices que le Prix du Président, mais sont nécessaire pour être en français. Remarque: Pour les deux concours, tous les étudiants inscrits dans une université ou un collège canadien sont admissibles à soumettre leurs cartes faites dans l’année scolaire 2014/15. Date limite de soumission est le 20 mai 2016.

Download the Student Mapping Competition entry form here