Salons & Competitions

Hidden Earth Survey Salon

The purpose of this salon and competition is to promote cave surveying and provide the opportunity for clubs or individuals to display their survey works. As well as displaying drawn surveys, other surveying-related material may be displayed as part of the salon and competition. This could include, for example, 3D models of caves.

If you have any questions, please email survey-salon@hidden.earth

How to Enter

There is no online entry this year. Just turn up on the Saturday morning with your survey.

When you arrive at Hidden Earth, we will ask you to complete a short entry form on paper so that we have a proper record of your entry, including your contact details in case you win a prize. You will be able to download the form a few weeks before the event is case someone else is delivering your work for you. Download the form here.

Competition Categories

For 2025 there will be two judged categories in the competition.

• Small Survey
  This is a traditional paper survey of area up to 1250cm² in any shape. (NB this is A3 if you are using standard paper sizes) 
• Large Survey
  Any other size or format that does not qualify for small.

Prizes

• There will be one prize winner in each category
• We shall also award Distinctions and Merits across the whole competition

Rules

• Delivery of surveys
  Your work should be delivered to the exhibition area by midday on the first day of the conference. Postal entries are not accepted. If you are late in arriving you may find that there is limited display space left for you. You are expected to hang your work yourselves, under the supervision of the event staff. You should collect your work on the afternoon of the last day of the event. Work left behind cannot be returned.
• Eligibility
  All maps, models or other physical representations of a surveyed cave produced in the 12 months prior to the event are eligible. Surveys that are (in the view of the judges), substantially similar to winning entries from previous Hidden Earth competitions or which (in the view of the judges) do not contain substantially new material will be disqualified.
• Subject matter
  This can be any aspect of caving, cave science or mine exploration.
• Entry limits
  Five entries per person, or per group/club.
• Judging
  This will be by a panel of three judges whose decision is final. Note that the organisers reserve the right not to award a prize if, in the opinion of the judges, the entries are too few and of insufficient standard to constitute a competition.
• Permissions
  All works entered for the competition must have permission from the copyright holder of the survey.
• Display Requirements
  Printed surveys must be on paper or thin card. Frames are not permitted. Ensure your survey dimensions is appropriate to the category. If you are entering an  “unusual” work that does not meet the description of a simple 2D paper survey you are required to discuss your entry and any bespoke requirements (e.g. large amount of wall or floor space) with the organisers in advance.

Guidelines for Entrants

Surveys will be judged on the quality of the cave survey. Additional information may add to the quality of the survey. However, the main weight will be given to the survey not the additional information.  If the survey has a particular target audience in mind,  this will be taken into account by the judges, provided this is made clear on the survey. However, this will not detract the judges from considering the following features, which should be included on a survey… 

• Plan with orientation
• Elevation with orientation or extended
• Cross sections
• Links between the above
• Entrance location(s) 
• Scale and Key
• Name of entrant and surveyors, copyright declaration
• Effective use of colour

Other information and recommendations

• Copyright
  The copyright of all entries will remain with the surveyor(s). Entries may be reproduced for display at the closing ceremony and for display during the weekend. All reproduced entries will be credited. No further use will be made of any copies without permission. No rights will be conceded to sponsors or other parties without permission of the entrants, and entrants will be free to set terms for any such use.
• Judging
  Although the competition categories will each have only one winning entry, the judges will also award Distinctions and Merits to entries that are worthy of mention.
• Feedback
  We usually try to organise a feedback session. Please check the event timetable to see when this is.
• List of Winners
  A list of competition winners is made available to the media on request and is also published on the Hidden Earth website. Reproduction of winning entries is governed by the competition rules and is in accordance with the guidelines of the Artists Bill of Rights Campaign.
• Loss, Damage & Insurance
  Every care will be taken of the entries, but the organisers cannot accept responsibility for any damage or loss. The organisers will not be insuring any work and, if required, entrants should make their own arrangements.