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Eligibility

Middle school, high school, and college students from across Rhode Island and all around the U.S. and the world are eligible to participate. Youth can develop projects as part of an in-class assignment, an after-school program, or by working independently.

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Competition Period

Submissions open January 15, 2024 and close May 15, 2024.

 

Submission Formats

Youth may submit work in a variety of media formats, including:

 

• Videos (information, entertainment, or persuasion)

• Images (photographs, memes, digital posters, and more)

• Audio media (original music, spoken word, podcasts)

• Writing (news stories, op-eds, poetry, short stories)

 

Required Information

Submissions should include:

• Student creators' names and institutional affiliations

• Teacher or program leader's name and affiliation (if applicable)

• Email addresses

• A list of any copyrighted material used (if applicable)

• If generative AI is used, explain the specific process used.

• Permission forms for submissions featuring children under 18 (if applicable)

• A 300 word artist statement explaining how the work aligns with CRI themes and the creative intentions behind it.

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Submission Guidelines

• Video and audio submissions must be under 4 minutes.

• Written submissions should not exceed 1,000 words.

 

Judging & Selection of Winners

The contest will be evaluated by a panel of expert judges including community leaders, educators, and media professionals from Rhode Island. They'll be awarding a total of $7,000 in prizes, with the top honor being a $1,000 cash prize. Plus, students (and their teachers) will be recognized at a culminating in-person ceremony in spring 2024. There will also be an audience award determined by online votes.

 

Generative AI, Copyright, and Permissions

The contest encourages creativity while respecting copyright. Youth can use copyrighted materials if they transform them to create new meaning. Youth that make use of copyrighted material will be required to submit a list of copyrighted materials with the application.

 

Students can also use generative AI tools to create their projects. Youth that make use of AI will be required to provide an explanation in their artist statement of how these tools were used.

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If projects include photos/video of children under the age of 18, students are required to provide parental permission forms for each child.