POLE ART & AERIAL ART UK RULES AND REGULATIONS

Direct Contacts: hello@poleart.uk
Facebook page: Pole Art UK
Instagram page: @PoleArtUK

Pole Art UK and Aerial Art UK is a competition supported independently by sponsors and independent supporters whose goal is the promotion and development of pole and aerial dance. Aerial Art rules and copy write is connected with Pole Art UK.

Important dates for Pole Art:

8th March - 21st March 2025 - Discounted Video Entries Open and Close

22nd March - Regular Video Entries Open

22nd June 2025 - Video Entries Close

23rd June 2025 - Moderating and Judging Process Begins

22nd August 2025 - Finalists Announced via email

23rd August and beyond - Finalists Announced via Social Media

22nd November 2025 - Pole Art Live Final

23rd November 2025 - Aerial Art Live Final

The competition venue will be confirmed soon.

STRICTLY FORBIDDEN and will result in disqualification:

The following statement is in regards to eluding to or using a person under the age of 18 years only - erotic or vulgar expression, to make explicit sexual referencing.
Junior Aerial Art - we will not accept any applications and we have the right to disqualify anyone from the live final if a Junior applicant has any reference to sex, erotic art, drugs or anything deemed not appropriate for people under the age of 18 years. If you have any queries about your routine please contact us.
To express racist behaviours, obvious signs of intolerance or harmful expressions.
To disrespect the origins of pole dancing, strippers or sex workers on or off the stage.
To stop the performance except in case of technical problems with the structure and/or the poles.
If you are unsure if your performance references any of the above please message us to discuss.
To reveal intentionally or unintentionally non male nipples or genitalia from any gender.
The use of drugs illegally or alcohol 24 hours before the day of your performance.
Entering a category and purposely hiding your ability and entering a lower category.

SCORING

Each judge will have an evaluation table (SCORE CARDS) that he/she/they will fill out at the end of each performance.
Judges will grade participants from 1 to 10 for each scoring category - they may use .5 marks also (the sum of the grades will be then calculated to determine the final ranking)
Participants with the highest score will win in order 1st, 2nd then 3rd.
In the event of a tie at any placing the person scoring higher in the artistic section will have the higher placing. If it is still a tie it will chosen by a discussion by the judges and the organiser.

GENERAL RULES

It is in no way mandatory for the judges to comment or explain grades awarded to the candidates: judges give the final result. However you may request further feedback or explanation and we will do our best to accommodate.
You can enter as solo, doubles or triples. Larger group sizes can also be accommodated. We do not have separate categories for doubles and groups.
You are allowed to enter a category above your ability but not a lower category.
Pole Art and Aerial Art have the right to change your category if you are deemed a lower or higher level. This can happen in the video round or the final. This will always be open for discussion but the final decision remains with the organisers and judges. To make sure this doesn't happen please reach out to us to ensure you're in the correct category.
Winners will be announced in the following 30 minutes after the last performance of the finale.
Before and during the finale, participants and their trainers MUST NOT try to contact or talk with the members of the judges.
No professional cameras are allowed to film or take photos in the live finals. You will be asked to put your camera away or removed from the venue.
Judges/organisers can stop the performance at any moment if a health risk for the participant occurs or if the rules are not respected.
Outfit: all genitals have to be covered up (nipples on females because of licensing and genitals of all genders). The choice of costume is free. Heels are allowed. Piercings, rings and some jewellery must be removed before using the poles (earrings authorised);
Judges and organisers can disqualify a candidate if there is a violation of the dress code of the competition;
Pole will be cleaned by our pole cleaners using a microfibre cloth and 99.9% isoproprynol. Candidates can choose to clean the pole themselves or by their coach.
Before and during the competition, the participants are not authorised to drink alcohol or take/use substances illegally that can change their physical conditions: to take or use forbidden substances such as steroids, etc., constitutes a breach of the competition regulation and a criminal offence under UK law. Every violation of this rule will be followed by the immediate disqualification of the athlete.
We expect a general civil attitude from performers and their chaperone. We expect a general level of politeness and respect towards other competitors, their chaperones and staff at the event. If you are deemed to be rude, aggressive or hostile you may be asked to leave the venue and you will be disqualified.
Pole Grips - You make use your own cleaner. The only grip allowed on the pole is dry hands or a very close similar. Use of all grips is allowed on your body EXCEPT rosin based grips or sticky or tacky grips such as itaac and monkey grip.
If using our aerial equipment no resins may be used.
You must provide your own aerial equipment - if you would like to use ours in the live final please email and request it.
The use of any aerial equipment is allowed as long as it is safe and constructed for the use of aerial activities.
You may enter the same category multiple times, however if you score high enough to get through to the live finals multiple times then you will be asked to only perform once. This is excluding doubles - for example if you get through to a category with a solo piece and a doubles/groups you can go ahead in the live finals with both.

ATTENTION

The judges and the organisers reserve the right to change the category of a participant, according to an objective evaluation, if they consider that the participant did not choose the appropriate category. If you do not agree with their decision there is no refund. This can happen in the video rounds and the live final.

MUSIC FOR LIVE FINAL

The selected candidates, after the video submissions qualifications, have to provide the organisers with their music (MP3 format) : “NAME SURNAME – CATEGORY – POLE ART or AERIAL ART or JUIOR AERIAL ART UK 2025” and please send us the author and title of your music.

The participants also have to bring a USB key with their chosen song on in case of any technical difficulties.

APPLICATION

For the adults competition you must be at least 14 years old on the day of the deadline ⁃ If you are under 18, you can participate in the competition but you must include with your submission a parental discharge and a parental consent for participation as well as a parent/legal guardian present on the day
For the children's competition you must be 8 years and older and follow the category age guidelines.
The participant must fill out a PARQ form if they get through to the live final.
Every participant has to know and accept the rules and conditions of the competition.
The competition is open to every contestant of any nationality and to all studios, schools or pole dance federations, as well as at independent learners.
Every candidate must send the completed form on the website. Participants must also include the link of their video submissions (be sure that your video is not in “private”).
Participants must send their application and video submissions by the deadline. All applications received after this date will be rejected and no refunds.
Finalists will be judged according to the following evaluation table by judges.
The participation fee is: £35/application
The discounted participation fee for low income/low income s/w is £27

Rules and requirements for the video submission

The video must be clear, of good quality, and the candidate must be perfectly visible.
Human Props are permitted but must not participate in any tricks on the pole/aerial equipment.
Your video can be any length up to 4 minutes long.
The video submissions cannot be modified/altered or edited in any way. The choreography must be filmed without breaks or interruptions (shading or other types of effects are strictly forbidden) on a static camera.
Your video submission does not have to show the choreography that you wish to present for the finale.
You do NOT have to use both poles

HOW TO PROCEED

To register complete the application form on the website
Each participant must also send in the online registration a link for their video submission entitled “SUBMISSION POLE ART UK / AERIAL ART UK / JUNIOR AERIAL ART UK 2024 – NAME - CATEGORY”. Don’t forget to change your privacy settings to “public” to enable the organisers/Judges to watch your videos.
We encourage you to list your video as "unlisted" - we recommend YouTube or Vimeo. We do n to accept an email attachment
In case of mistake during your application there is NO refund of the application fees. If you are not selected, there is no refund too.
The names of the candidates selected for the finale of POLE ART UK/ AERIAL ART UK/ JUIOR AERIAL ART UK will be published on the facebook and Instagram page of the event and notified by email. Those not successful will also be notified by email at the same time.
By filling out the application form candidates give their consent on the conditions and terms defined by the organisers as well as on the rules and regulations in its entirety.

FOR THE LIVE FINAL

If the candidate is selected for the finale, she/he/they will have to send music track (MP3 format) directly to before the deadline given. Candidates have to follow the instructions that they will receive after the application form is sent.
Four additional candidates will be placed on a waiting list. If one of the candidates selected for the finale declares forfeit because of a health issue or an injury, the first candidate on the waiting list will be called to participate in the finale held.
Your song must be no longer than 4 minutes for any category.
You do NOT have to use both poles
Chaperones - Junior aerial art a chaperone must be present for children and do NOT need a ticket. Any chaperones or human props for the adult competition tickets MUST be purchased in advance of the live final.

TECHNICAL CRITERIA OF THE STAGE POLE ART

2 poles: 1 static, 1 spinning (you do NOT have to use both)
Diameter 45mm / Height 4m
X pole Chrome
Distance between the two poles: around 2.8m
When you looking at the stage from the audience, the left pole is in static mode and the right one is in spinning mode.

TECHNICAL CRITERIA OF THE STAGE AERIAL ART

1 rig point to rig your own aerial equipment (if for any reason it is deemed unsafe we will provide our own)
7m high to the rig
If using a hoop/trapeze this will be at a set height (to be confirmed)
For the children's competition a mat is compulsory. You can bring your own or use ours.

Pole Art UK will not be held liable of any infringement regarding copyrights (video and music). For all of these issues the candidate only will be liable.

APPLY TO COMPETE