2026 Progress at Play Competition,

Since 2021, George Mason University Korea has hosted the annual Social Impact Digital Art Competition.
The competition encourages high school and university students from around the world to creatively interpret social issues through digital creative works, propose innovative solutions, and inspire positive social change.

Competition Theme

Participants may freely explore and express the following social issues through various forms of digital creative works, including digital art, video, animation, webtoons, illustrations, and games.

  • Population & Economic Structure

    e.g., low birth rate, aging population, low economic growth

  • Environment & Sustainability

    e.g., environmental issues, climate crisis

  • Education & Community

    e.g., educational gaps, local community challenges

  • Digital & Future Society

    e.g., healthy gaming culture, ethics and responsibility in the age of AI

Eligibility

The competition is open to all youth and university students worldwide.
We look forward to your creative ideas and digital works that inspire positive change.

Media Categories and Sizes

Participants can choose from Animation, Webtoon, Computer Game, Films, and Illustration for their submissions.

Complete the official Google application form.

Register participant information, school name, contact information, competition category, work file, AI use disclosure, and a description of the submitted work.

Participants who pass the first-round evaluation must submit additional materials (e.g., initial sketches, storyboards, production screenshots, planning materials, etc.) in a flexible format.

For larger files exceeding 100mb, please provide a downloadable link.

There is no limit to the number of submissions, but only one work can be selected for the award.

If a work is found to be plagiarized, it may be excluded from the competition.

Judging Criteria

The competition will be evaluated through two rounds of judging.
Judges will evaluate works based on Social Value, Completeness, Artistic Quality, and Originality.
For AI-assisted works, AI ethics and transparency will also be considered.

Non-AI Works
  • Social Value (30%)

    Social impact and public benefit

  • Completeness (30%)

    Composition, quality, and communication

  • Artistic Quality (20%)

    Artistic quality, expression, and engagement

  • Originality (20%)

    Creativity and distinctiveness

  • Total (100%)
AI-Assisted Works
  • Social Value (30%)

    Social impact and public benefit

  • Completeness (30%)

    Composition, quality, and communication

  • Artistic Quality (20%)

    Artistic quality, expression, and engagement

  • Originality (10%)

    Creativity and distinctiveness

  • AI Ethics(10%)

    Al disclosure and copyright compliance

  • Total (100%)
Generative AI Usage Guidelines

1. Generative AI may be used at one of three disclosed levels: Assistance, Partial Integration, or Core Generation.
2. Participants must accurately disclose the level and manner of AI use in the application form.
3. Participants who pass the first-round evaluation must submit additional materials, including production process documentation and prompts.
4. Works consisting solely of AI-generated outputs, without substantial creative input or development by the participant, are not eligible for submission.
5. Participants using generative AI are encouraged to use AI tools in a lawful, ethical, and environmentally responsible manner.

Awards and Benefits

* Middle and high school winners will receive a $2,000 scholarship upon admission to George Mason University Korea.

* The organizer will not be responsible for the tax obligations associated with the prize money.

* Middle and high school winners will receive an award certificate from the Superintendent of the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education.

Category University Students Middle&High School Students
Grand Prize 2,000,000 KRW
Best Game 1,000,000 KRW 1,000,000 KRW
Best Animation/Flim 1,000,000 KRW 1,000,000 KRW
Best Webtoon/Illustration 1,000,000 KRW 1,000,000 KRW
Popularity Award 300,000 KRW 300,000 KRW

  • Application Period Aug 17 ~ Oct 11

  • 1st Round Judging Oct 12 ~ Oct 30

  • Exhibition Period Nov 6 ~ Nov 15

  • Winners Announcement Nov 15

  • Award Ceremony Nov 28

*Subject to change depending on the organizer's circumstances.