RULES & REGULATIONS

Cost

• Free to join

Eligibility

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old or have parental consent to join.
• Artists of all levels who operate authentically are welcome to join the RAA. Our goal is to help you grow and develop as an artist, ensuring you thrive in the industry you love.
• Reborn vendors and affiliates, including clubs, guilds, and associations, are also encouraged to join to help community members discover more of what the industry has to offer.
• Only RAA members are eligible to enter RAA competitions.

Application Process

• Applicants must provide accurate and verifiable information, including their full name, contact details, and proof of involvement in the reborn industry, such as a portfolio, website, or social media presence showcasing their work.
• Membership will be approved only if the RAA can verify the legitimacy of the applicant’s details and information to ensure that our community remains authentic and trustworthy.
• We will acknowledge prospective members' past history and any grievances that may have arisen, while also considering any efforts they have made to bring about positive changes moving forward.

Verification:

• The RAA may request further information if the initial details are vague or incomplete.
• The RAA will conduct a thorough review of each application. If the RAA cannot confirm the authenticity of the provided information, the membership application will not be approved.
• If a member is approved and their legitimacy is later found to be false or misleading in any way, that member may be automatically removed.

• Members may cancel their membership at any time. However, membership fees (if applicable) are non-refundable once the membership has been approved and activated.
• Members can access their membership by logging into their RAA account.

It’s important to recognise that both the artist's experience and the quality of work can vary. We value and respect artists at all levels and their contributions. The RAA will carefully assess each member's application to place them in the most appropriate experience level based on their industry experience and the quality of their work.

• Novice: Generally new to the art form, focused on learning the basics of reborning and developing initial skills. This level can also include artists with years of experience whose work still reflects beginner-level execution.
• Intermediate: Displays a solid understanding of reborning with evident or steadily improving techniques.
• Intermediate/Advanced: Demonstrates refined intermediate skills, with work beginning to reflect advanced techniques.
• Advanced: Exhibits a strong grasp of the art, with work reflecting refined and polished skills.
• High-End: Displays an excellent understanding of reborning, and producing work at a professional level.
• Prototype Artist: Represents the highest level of expertise, consistently delivering exceptional, top-tier reborn dolls.

• This category is ideal for individuals relatively new to the art of reborn doll creation and those who are still developing core skills.
• Artists can also be hobbyists with a beginner to intermediate level of skill
• Artists' work should demonstrate a good understanding of basic reborn painting techniques and finishing details.
• Artists should have some kind of social media profile or page for their reborn work.
• These artists typically operate primarily to cover costs and are generally not registered as businesses. However, depending on their country, they may be required to obtain a license or permit in their state or territory, even if they only participate as hobbyists.
• Artists must not have been offered or completed a prototype.

• This category is for participants with an intermediate/advanced to high end and prototype level of experience.
• Artists should demonstrate a solid, skilful understanding and execution of painting techniques.
• Artists in this category are usually registered businesses and operate under a business number, license, or permit. They typically have a website and may offer products and services related to reborning, such as tutorials and hair-rooting services.
• Prototype artists are permitted (Some restrictions apply)

Entry Fee

• A non-refundable entry fee is required for each category entered at both qualifying competitions and finals, starting at $25AUD per entry.
• Prototype artists receive complimentary entry in qualifying competitions as restrictions apply. Entry fees for prototype artists are only required if they enter prototype artist specific categories at qualifying events or for any entries at final events.
• If needed, entries can be transferred to a future competition date or to another artist at the discretion of the RAA.

Submission Details

• Images and reborn details are NOT submitted at the time of entry.
• Artists will be provided with a submission period to reserve their entries and complete their work.

Ability Levels

• Participants may only compete in one ability level: Entry Level OR Open Level.
• No combination of ability levels is permitted.

Prototype Artists

• Prototype artists may participate in any relevant category at qualifying competitions, free of charge, but are not eligible to place. They will still receive a score and feedback to fulfil the qualifying requirements for finals, along with digital badges and certificates, just like all participants.
• Registered RAA prototype artists can enter for a fee at qualifying competitions in an "Any Style "Prototype Artist Only" category. This allows them to compete against each other for places and prizes.
• The entry itself doesn't need to be a prototype, just produced by a prototype artist.
• No restrictions apply to prototype artists for Finals, as all competitors are considered to be at an open level.

Judges:

• Judges are permitted to enter work into qualifying competitions and finals in categories they are not associated with.
• Judges must not discuss their entry or work with any other associated judge, sponsor, or RAA organiser and must uphold the code of conduct at all times.

Category Entries

• Artists can enter reborns into multiple categories where they meet the section criteria, but only ONE entry is permitted per category, per artist.
• If an artist has already entered a reborn in a category and would like to enter another reborn of the same type, they may enter the additional reborn into the "Any Style" category.
• All reborns entered must have been reborn within the last 12 months or less as of the competition judging dates.

Category Consolidation:

• If there are fewer than 3 competitors in any single category, the RAA reserves the right to combine categories.

• The submitted reborns must be the work of the entrant. This includes paintwork and hair painting or rooting, but not necessarily clothing. Handmade clothing can be by the entrant but it is not required. 
• Strictly only authentic kits are permitted to be entered.

• Images submitted must be high-resolution digital photos of the artist's reborn doll. 
• Photos should be clear, well-lit, and showcase the details of the reborn doll effectively.
• Images should include full body shots and detail shots so judges can best critique the reborn. 
• Basic photo adjustments (e.g. cropping, brightness, and contrast) are permitted, however, participants are not allowed to digitally alter the appearance of the reborn doll to improve their work.
• Artists can submit a maximum of 10 images per entry
• If the reborn is being entered into multiply categories, a different set of images can be submitted for each. 
• Watermarks are NOT permitted on submitted images.

• Entries must be submitted, along with images, by the specified deadline. Late submissions will only be considered at the discretion of RAA and may incur a late fee. 
• Submissions will include your photos for each entry and additional notes about your reborn doll. 

• The RAA results program will be digital. Participants will receive access to a digital program prior to the judging dates.

• Entries that violate the rules or fail to meet submission requirements may be disqualified.
• Artists that violate the rules or artist code of conduct may be banned or blacklisted from entering or being associated with RAA.

• The judges will judge all entries in accordance with the RAA scoring system and code of conduct; and abide by all contest laws to ensure a fair and positive competition experience. 
• RAA may request additional information or photos for verification prior to the judging process.
• Score levels will be provided when the results are announced and full score and critique will be provided post results.
• The decision of the judges is final unless a violation has occurred or otherwise discussed.

• At RAA, we are committed to including our community members as much as possible. If a member is involved in the RAA as a sponsor, judge or affiliate, they are still permitted to participate in the competition, however, restrictions apply. 
• Sponsors, judges and/or affiliates can only participate in sections and categories that they are NOT associated with to be eligible for awards.
• They cannot win awards or prizes that they have contributed to in any way.

• Winners will be announced on the competition website and through official communication channels during the specified judging dates.

• Awards will be awarded as per the category list, with prizes awarded where applicable.
• Any physical awards or prizes will be mailed to recipients after the completion of the competition. 
• All digital awards and badges will be emailed to the recipient after the completion of the competition.

• By entering the competition, participants grant permission for their photos, details, scores and awards to be published online and be used for promotional purposes related to the competition. This may include sharing images of the winners, promoting artists, advertising the awards etc. 

• Fees are non-refundable.