The Noma Concours for Picture Book Illustrations is accepting works from nationals of UNESCO-member states in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, the Arab world, Latin America and the Caribbean for the 2000 contest. Organized by the Asia-Pacific Culture Center for UNESCO (ACCU) in Tokyo, the biennial contest encourages illustrators to create unique and attractive artwork for quality picture books for children in those regions.

Outstanding works selected in the competition will be introduced to audiences worldwide. Since the first contest in 1978, the Noma Concours has introduced to the world more than 230 artists in 51 countries.

Entries should reach ACCU by Oct. 31. Illustrations for unpublished books are acceptable. Those for published books are also acceptable, as long as they have not been published in any country in Europe, North America, Australia, Japan or New Zealand.

An international jury will meet in January 2001 and decide on the recipients of the following prizes and awards: the Grand Prix for overall excellence, with awards of a medal and $3,000 and invitation to the award ceremony in Tokyo; two second prizes, each with awards of a medal and $1,000; 10 runner-up awards of a medal and $300; and 20 Encouragement Prizes with an award of a medal. The results of the selection will be announced by the end of March.

Prizewinning works will be exhibited in Tokyo and other cities in Japan in 2001-2002. They will be also displayed at the Bratislava Biennale of Illustration in Bratislava, Republic of Slovakia, in 2001.

For entry forms and further information, contact the Noma Concours Secretariat, Asia/Pacific Cultural Center for UNESCO (ACCU), 6 Fukuromachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8484. (03) 3269-4445, fax (03) 3269-4510, e-mail: [email protected]