The IDEAs (Inclusion/Diversity/Equity/Anti-Racism) Challenge is intended to spur reflection and discussion around issues of inclusion, diversity, and equity and to promote anti-racism on the Blackburn College campus.
The Challenge was initiated and funded by a Blackburn alumnus who is grateful for the positive impact Blackburn College had on his values regarding diversity and inclusion. The deep friendships and understandings that resulted from his interactions with students of different ethnicities, cultures, and viewpoints are among his most valued lessons from his Blackburn years.
The IDEAs Challenge will be offered in the fall semester. Stay tuned to campus announcements for the IDEAs Challenge to begin accepting nominations for the next competition.
Guidelines
Intent
To encourage original thinking and work that expresses or demonstrates students’ feelings and thoughts concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion issues on the Blackburn College campus.
Eligibility
The IDEAs Challenge is open to all currently enrolled full-time Blackburn College students who are at least second-semester freshmen or higher.
Application
Each applicant must submit a brief written description of their submitted entry. Additional information can be obtained by visiting the Equity Center in Demuzio Campus Center.
Entry Requirements Summary
- One submission per student shall be permitted.
- To be considered, an entry must be the original, unpublished work of the applicant.
- A brief written description of the entry must be described on the provided standard form.
- Acceptable submissions shall include a written essay, original story, or poem; a drawn, painted, or other piece of visual art; a performed original song, dance, play, or piece of music.
Selection of Winners
A committee of Blackburn faculty and staff will judge the entries.
Prizes
Winners shall receive: 1st prize $500, 2nd prize $350, and 3rd prize $150. Winners will be offered the chance to read, play, or otherwise present their submissions to the campus community and will be encouraged to present their winning submissions at the Blackburn College Equity Center.
Administration
- The IDEAs Challenge is an annual event, administered by Blackburn College.
- The IDEAs Challenge should be publicized to encourage students to submit their work.
- Entries will be submitted along with a brief description of each entry.
Selection Criteria
Entries may be one of the following (only one original submission per student):
- Written Entry: An essay or story may contain up to 1500-2000 words and should be formatted in 12-point Times New Roman font with double-spacing, and if citations are necessary, they should adhere to a consistent citation format (i.e. MLA or APA) on the form submission. Creative work such as a play or poem need not be double-spaced. Failure to submit written entries via the electronic submission will result in application being excluded from the contest.
- Visual Art Entry: A drawn, printed, painted, or other piece of visual art. A digital image of the work shall be uploaded in a viewable format (.jpg, ppt.). The digital submission should be in color unless the entry is in black and white. Failure to submit a viewable visual art entry via the electronic submission will result in application being excluded from the contest.
- Music/Dance/Performance Entry: A song, dance, play or other performance should be filmed and uploaded to YouTube, and the URL included on the entry form. Videos of these works are limited to ten minutes in length. Failure to submit the uploaded music/dance/performance entries via the electronic submission will result in the application being excluded from the contest.