Eligibility to Enter:
Only fully-registered attendees are eligible to enter the competitions. Sign-up (for a fee) is available during registration.

Entry Limitation:
Participants are allowed to enter only one figure per category.

Collaboration Guidelines:
While receiving help from friends is permitted, you must be the primary designer and hands-on twister of your creations.

Supply Policy:
T&S does not provide balloons, inflators, or other materials for sculptures. However, participants are free to seek sponsorship for products.

Contestants Competition Room Viewing:
Contestants may do one walk-through of the competition room during viewing hours for a maximum of 30 minutes. Contestants may not “hang out” in the viewing room or stand by their entry to talk to viewers. Contestants will receive one warning, which will result in a deduction of 25 points (out of 500) from their score. A second warning will result in disqualification from the competition.

Material:
All entries must be made from balloons. At least 90% of each sculpture must be made from latex balloons.

Attachment and Decoration:
All methods of construction (ex. Glue, wire, monofilament, EMT) are permissible. Surface decoration (ex. Paint, marker, vinyl, gemstones) are allowed.

No Confetti allowed

Balloons should be the predominant element of the sculpture.

Sound Additions:
Sound must not exceed 30 dB from a few feet away. Competition organizers reserve the right to turn off sound if any complaints are received.

Fragrances:
No fragrances allowed.

Lights:
Lights are allowed within moderation. Competition organizers reserve the right to turn off any lights if complaints are received. FYI: If you use strobes, they will likely be turned off due to complaints.

Other Special Effects:
Must be able to be turned off by competition organizers if we get complaints.

Size Compliance:
Sculptures must fit within size limits without compression or alteration.

Construction Location and Time:
You may build your pieces at any time and accessible place, including the jam room. All pieces will be moved by us  to their final location as we arrange the room.

Small:
Maximum dimensions of 12" x 12" x 12" (30.5 cm)

Medium:
Maximum dimensions of 36" x 36" x 36" (91.4 cm)

Large:
Maximum dimensions for 2026 8’ x 8’ x 12’

Un-Inflated:
No size limit; all balloons must be un-inflated or 'puffed'. Stretched latex balloons will be categorized as Small, Medium, or Large. Stuffing allowed.

Sculpture building can occur at any time or location. Sculpture (or parts of it) can be built before the convention. You are responsible for the security of your equipment and supplies.

Priority access to the Competition room is available for large sculpture building. Space may be available for Balloon Dress & Costume construction, contact us for details. Build spaces must be cleaned by 8:00 AM on Thursday. All builds should expect to be moved as the room is laid out and rearranged for entries. There are no assigned or reserved build spaces. Because competition entries are being accepted at 8:00 AM, you may continue building elsewhere, but not in the competition room.

Competition Room access is available for competitors in Large Sculpture:
• Tuesday - 6 am to 6 pm
• Wednesday - 6 am to 6 pm
• Thursday - to 8 am.

If you built your piece in the competition room, your workspace must be completely clean by 8:00 AM  Thursday to ensure space is available for entries. Failure to completely clean area can result in a penalty of 10-50 points (out of 500).

All entries are submitted for judging on Thursday in the Competition Room
If submissions were built in the competition room, the area must be cleaned by 8:00 AM on Thursday to ensure space is available for entries. Failure to clean up by this time may result in a deduction of 10–50 points (out of 500).

Thursday Submission Times:
Large: 8:00 am to 10:00 am
Un-Inflated: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Small: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Medium: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Late Entries: Entries up to 5 minutes late can still be submitted, but you’ll lose up to 25 points (out of 500) for being late. Entries later than 5 minutes will be disqualified.

Tagging and Verification:
Upon entering, you will receive a numbered tag for each sculpture. A staff member will check that your sculpture complies with the size requirements of its category without being compressed or altered.

Tag Placement:
Place the numbered tag visibly in front of your sculpture. It doesn't need to be attached; positioning it close by is fine.

Photography:
Our T&S photographer will handle repositioning and photographing your sculpture. Personal photos are not allowed during this process.

Communication and Compliance:
Promptly respond to any requests for information regarding your entry. We will reach out for specifics about the size and any technical aspects of your sculpture. Failure to respond to inquiries or adhere to the Artistic Guidelines may disqualify your entry. Disrespecting Twist & Shout staff may result in a deduction of 10–50 points (out of 500). Touching your entry without permission from competition staff may also result in a deduction of 10–50 points (out of 500). 

Process & Eligibiity:
Fully-registered audience members can cast up (1) vote in each category during the viewing period for people’s choice award. Sculptures will be on display Thursday after the timed competition’s conclusion for half an hour. All ballots must be cast by Friday at noon.

Panel Review:
Five judges, chosen by convention organizers, will represent a mix of balloon professionals, fashion and entertainment industry experts. 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place will be awarded based on total scores of judges.

Pieces will be awarded up to 25 points/category:
Design, Craftsmanship, Originality and Overall Impact. Score sheet link below.

Up to 100 points will be awarded/entry
The total of the five scores from the judges will determine the competitor's final score.

Design and Color Balance
(up to 25 points) Has there been attention paid to details in the sculpture? Is color used effectively in the design? Are the balloon accessories added to the piece appropriate or does it make it feel “messy” or “overwhelming”? Does the sculpture appear balanced or unbalanced? In either case, does that add or detract from the design?

Technical Skill
(up to 25 points) Is the technique(s) used to create the piece constructed cleanly or does it appear to be sloppy? Are there leaks or obvious damage to the sculpture? Do support elements / mechanics work properly and are they cleanly hidden or are they exposed (if applicable)?

Originality
(up to 25 points) Is the subject matter of the sculpture unique or creative? Does the artist use a technique or unique approach to the subject matter of the piece that makes it different or “original”? Does this sculpture look like others you’ve seen before or is it something totally new to you?

Overall Impact
(up to 25 points) Is the overall impact or message of the sculpture clear and concise or are you confused by what it is when you look at it? Does the sculpture strike a strong emotional response from you? Do you think it coincides with what the artist wanted you to take away from it?

Decisions made by judges are final and binding.

Tie-Breaking:
In case of a tie, judges will reconvene to determine the winner through an additional evaluation.

Winners of the Artistic Sculpture competitions will be announced at the Saturday night banquet.

Score Sheets: A copy will be provided to competitors after the convention upon request.