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September 2, 2008
Emory Arts Competition to showcase creativity

By kim Urquhart

The first annual Emory Arts Competition is both an opportunity and an incentive for students, staff and faculty to showcase their creativity in music and the visual arts. Building on the popularity of prime time’s “American Idol” and Hillel of Georgia’s “Campus SuperStar,” the Emory Arts Competition will showcase amateur talent but with its own twist.

The competition is “a celebration of the arts,” says Vice Provost for Academic Initiatives Santa Ono, and is a way to promote engagement in the arts across the University. Sponsored by the Emory College Center for Creativity & Arts and the Office of the Provost, the idea for the event grew out of the Creativity and Arts component of Emory’s strategic plan.

“Creativity surprises, awakens and inspires us,” notes Rosemary Magee, vice president and secretary of the University. “Together, as a community, we will have the opportunity to come together to share some surprising and inspirational moments.”

The competition will feature two categories: music and visual/media arts. Contestants submit their work online at www.creativity.emory.edu/arts-competition.shtml. Visual arts entries are to be submitted as JPG or PDF file formats, music entries as YouTube videos. Participants must be an Emory student, staff or faculty amateur; visit the Web site for complete contest rules.

The elimination rounds of the competition will take place virtually, through the online submissions. The Center for Creativity & Arts Committee plans to select eight entrants, solo or ensemble, to compete in the final round in the music category, and eight works of visual/media art for the final round in the visual arts category.
The finalists who continue on to the Final Round Competition and Awards Assembly on Nov. 8 will be performing and showcasing their work in front of a live audience and a distinguished panel of judges — with a celebrity appearance likely, says Ono. The judges will offer critical commentary, “American Idol- style,” and will select three finalists in each category.

“Come out and support your favorite finalist,” Ono urges, as the enthusiasm of the audience, measured on an “applause-o-meter,” will ultimately determine the winner.

Each category will reward a first-, second- and third-place winner. First prize is $3,000 in cash.
“There is a tremendous amount of talent here, not only in the student body, but among faculty and staff. This hopefully will be a catalyst for more participation in both music and visual arts,” says Ono, adding: “It should be a heck of a lot of fun.”