Reminder: Calling All Student Poets and Artists!

You may have seen on NOVA’s social media channels or in the Nighthawk News that the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is currently accepting student submissions for its Poet Laureate and Visual Art Luminary Award competition. The March 1 deadline is quickly approaching, and we hope you will encourage your students to apply! 

Both the Poet Laureate competition and the Visual Art Luminary award are open to all students who were/are enrolled at least part time in adult education, workforce credential, certificate or degree programs at a participating Virginia Community College in Summer 2023, Fall 2023 or Spring 2024. The theme for the competition is “I Belong.” A ceremony honoring VCCS student awardees will occur in early April.

VCCS students enrolled in academic, workforce development, adult education or dual enrollment/early college programs during the semesters specified above are eligible for the competition. Students can access the interest application here.

ACCEPTED WORKS

Visual Arts: The competition is open to the following types of work: drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept works of video, film, performance art, jewelry or craft. Artworks created using artificial intelligence (AI-ART) are not eligible.

Poet Laureate: The competition is open to poems and prose poems.

JUDGING

Visual Arts: The selection of the Visual Art Luminary award is a competitive process that includes a completed interest application and submission of one original artwork related to the theme “I Belong.” An image of the winning artwork from each participating college will be featured at the New Horizons Conference, at the state Poet Laureate competition and in a future publication. The VCCS is exploring other opportunities to exhibit winning work.

Poet Laureate: The selection of the Poet Laureate is a competitive process that includes a completed application, submission of original poetry and performance of original poetry related to the theme “I Belong.” At the systemwide competition, college laureates will be evaluated on the following criteria: (1) original poetry (the three initial submissions plus two additional poems), (2) the live performance of original poetry and (3) an interview with a panel of judges.

See this article published in the VCCS newsletter for more information. 

Submitted by:
Lucy Williams, Writer and Editor, LYWilliams@nvcc.edu