Vote to give the artists their vote numbers

[Artist Vote Counts]

I dedicated my place in ArtPrize to the effort to convince ArtPrize to release the vote numbers to the artists so they could see if their pieces got any votes.  This also benefits the voting public since many of them vote to send a message to the artists that they liked their pieces...but right now that message doesn't get through since ArtPrize refuses to tell the artists their vote counts.
The reason I am using my entry for this is because we've asked for the past 3 years to get our votes but get either no response or something that doesn't make much sense like, "we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings".  Since the artists are all grownups the issue of feelings should be irrelevant in light of the many ways that artists could use that valuable voting information.  Not all artists are expecting or even hoping to win.
What I've found is that pretty much the entirety of the voting public has no idea that ArtPrize doesn't tell the artists if they got any votes...and even none of the new artists each year seem to realize this either, incorrectly assuming that they will get to know.  I'm hoping to get some help in informing the public about this issue because everyone, artists and voters alike, seem to agree that it doesn't make any sense to keep this information from the artists...or the public.  Using the voting system to make ArtPrize listen to the voters opinion appears to be the best way to get a strong enough message to the organizers.  I do need lots of help though.
With that said, I have to say that I do love the opportunity of ArtPrize in this area where being an artist can be difficult.  I also need to say that I am not actually trying to compete with the other artists via this entry, it's for all the artists as well as myself since this is my 4th year and I've never gotten enough feedback to pour into a thimble during all that time.  Something had to change and I'm putting myself on the line to do this since if it makes it into the 2nd round, which would be great since it couldn't be ignored then, that would mean that I will never be able to enter in ArtPrize again.  Kind of follows the theme of contradiction in this "lovehate" message board, eh?

So, I'm hoping that after reading this (or maybe before) you'll see the logic behind my effort and will add the #52117 to your list of other votes which you'll be casting in ArtPrize this year...for ALL of the other 1490 artists who don't make it into the top 10, now and in the future.  Vote for voting transparency!

[Bill Fischer]

I've been hearing this from a lot of artists lately. After all the artists do for ArtPrize, it does not seem too much to ask and would be very informative and helpful to them.

[Kevin O'Connell]

I am a fine art photographer that has been to Artprize twice and understand that traditional fine art photography will never win this type of competition because so many that love painting and sculpture don't consider photography ART, unless its shocking or has to do with something political or sexual. 

I come to Artprize knowing this but come because of the love of all art and how this event brings so many people together who feel the same. Having jurors ruined this feeling for me this year. I love artprize because it was your average person who loves art that gets to vote and make the final decisions, taking away all that uppity gallery  bureaucracy  that I can't stand to be part of. It was refreshing not to have to deal with that crap.

I hope Artprize goes back to the original concept of this and doesn't listen to those art critics who want to change it.