Each year, the National Speleological Society (NSS) holds a Cartography Salon at the annual convention. The salon is a map competition where entries are scored in the areas of drafting quality, detail, and visual impact. Each map is evaluated in 19 different areas by a panel of judges.

The primary goal of the salon is to foster an environment of constructive review and critique for the purpose of improving the skill of cartographers. The chair of the 2005 Cartography Salon has compiled a judging form and judging guidelines based on input from previous years’ judges and entrants. Anyone interested in entering a map would be well advised to download these forms. Reviewing the judging criteria will help cartographers check items that otherwise might be overlooked. It would be even better to enlist the help of a fellow cartographer and use the guidelines to “pre-judge” your map.

The Judging Form in PDF format is available for downloading.

The Judging Guidelines, also in PDF format, is a list of general guidelines for new and returning judges.

The Fine Print

All entries must be mailed to:

[tbd]

Entries must be postmarked no later than May 1, 2005, or delivered to Steve in the Cartographic Salon exhibition area at the NSS Convention by noon Monday, July 4, 2004. Include a self-portrait slide. There is no entry fee. Entries will be considered to have been donated to the NSS unless otherwise specified when submitted. If you wish your entry returned by mail, please provide postage costs. Entries must be representations of caves or karst-related features. Enter copies of maps rather than originals. There is no restriction on method of presentation and innovative techniques are encouraged. Judging will occur at Convention. Maps may be displayed in the salon, but not judged at the entrant’s option.

www.CowSphere.com/DeepSecrets