Enter: MLK Awards for Creative Expression

The Division of Culture, Community and Belonging and the MLK Day Celebration Committee present the Annual MLK Awards for Creative Expression. This contest is open to ALL undergraduate and graduate students at Nazareth University and it is part of the MLK Day and the Weeks of Social Justice Commemorations.

Participants are expected to submit a piece/work not previously exhibited or performed, around the MLK Day theme: “Lift EVERY Voice: Enacting Positive Change so All are Heard,”and/or other themes related to social justice, diversity, equity & inclusion.

The piece/work may be selected/adapted from a student’s Nazareth course-based portfolio or created specifically for the 2024 commemorations. No copyrighted materials should be submitted. *The chosen works from each category will be performed, exhibited, or presented as part of the program for the Student Leadership Awards Ceremony and featured on the Nazareth website.

GUIDELINES

Who's eligible: Open to all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Nazareth University, regardless of major. 

Awards: One (1) $250 stipend per category (music, theatre/dance, visual arts, & open). Please note the award may affect federal need-based aid and may be taxable. 

Dates: The final work/s must be submitted to the respective adjudicating committee/s no later than Monday, March 11, 2024. Awards recipients will be announced by Friday, March 15, 2024.

Adjudication: Each category will have an adjudicating committee formed by three Nazareth faculty and/or staff members. Adjudicating committee members should be available for advising. No faculty or staff supervision is permitted.

Requirements:​ The creator of the winning submission in each category will be responsible for putting together and organizing the performance, presentation, or display of their new artistic creation. Departments may be able to assist in providing limited resources (i.e. faculty advising, rehearsal space, materials, etc.).

Premiere performance/s, exhibition/s, presentation/s will be part of the program for the Student Leadership Awards Celebrations, scheduled for Thursday, April 11, 2024, 5 p.m.-7p.m.

Categories & Entry Details

Visual Arts

Create an art piece in any medium (sculpture, animated, digital, drawing, etc) and/or style, around the MLK Day theme : “Lift EVERY Voice: Enacting Positive Change so All are Heard”, and/or other themes related to social justice, diversity, equity & inclusion.

Contact:​ Dr. Doot Bokelman, Chairperson, Art and Design Department

Theatre/Dance

Create a scene or monologue, compose a musical theatre song, or choreograph a short dance piece in any style, around the MLK Day theme : “Lift EVERY Voice: Enacting Positive Change so All are Heard”, and/or other themes related to social justice, diversity, equity & inclusion.  

Length: 4-7 minutes

Contact: Prof. Heather Roffe/Dr. Matthew Ames, Co-Chairs, Theatre and Dance Department

Music

Compose a musical work (vocal or instrumental) in any format (solo, ensemble, electronic/digital) and/or style, around the MLK Day theme: "Lift EVERY Voice: Enacting Positive Changes so All are Heard," and/or other themes related to social justice, diversity, equity & inclusion. 

Length: 4-7 minutes

Contact: Dr. William Hudson, Director, School of Music

Open

Submit an original creation that may not fit into one of these categories (i.e. a charge to the community, poetry, spoken word) around the MLK Day theme : “Lift EVERY Voice: Enacting Positive Change so All are Heard”, and/or other themes related to social justice, diversity, equity & inclusion

Length: 4-7 minutes

Contact: Kimberly Potter Winden, Director, Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Education


Samples of previous winning pieces

Music: Ally Yanoff, "Our Yesterday" (small ensemble/voice)

    Open Category: Mariela Leon Thomas, "Who I am" (video)

      Visual Arts: Raechelle Hajduk, "Mask Required for Entry" (linoleum print)