Take Back the Night is an evening dedicated to increasing awareness of interpersonal violence, with emphasis on ending sexual violence. Common components of Take Back the Night rallies include candlelight vigils, empowerment marches, and survivor testimonials. Throughout its history, Take Back the Night has inspired both women and men to confront a myriad of social ills, including rape, sexual violence, domestic violence, violence against children, and violence against women. The unifying theme throughout these diverse topics is the assertion that all human beings have the right to be free from violence, the right to be heard, and the right to reclaim those rights if they are violated. The Creative Expression Contest is an opportunity for students to submit essays, poetry, music, original artwork, or other pieces that convey their experiences and feelings about interpersonal violence and their ideas for ending interpersonal violence in their schools and communities. THE CONTENT must convey positive messages about ending violence. Examples include personal experiences, messages about ending sexual violence, domestic violence, child abuse, molestation, rape, etc. The idea for the youth involvement is to get them interacting with one another and talking about interpersonal violence, so that they feel empowered and educated to take leadership roles in their communities. 2 youth will be selected to perform their entries on the evening of Take Back the Night, April 15th, 2009.
OFFICIAL RULES AND GUIDELINES: For students AGES 13-18, submissions can take the form of essays, poems, original music, original artwork, or any other method of creative expression that convey their experiences and feelings about interpersonal violence and their ideas for ending interpersonal violence in their schools and communities. A teacher, guidance counselor, family member or other adult may help students develop an entry, though the actual content should be the student's own work.
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:
- Students entering this category must be between the ages of 13-18
- The student's name must appear somewhere on the work itself (can be on the back), as well as on the entry application form (see box on top-right of this page).
- If students are submitting an essay, poem, or other type of writing, it must be under 500 words, in English (or include an English translation of the original work), and, if possible, typed in 12-point font, and double-spaced with 1-inch margins.
- If students are submitting artwork, please send the original art along with a photo of the piece. If possible, please also e-mail a graphic file (jpg or gif) with the artwork to [email protected].
- If students are submitting music, please include a CD recording and a copy of the lyrics (include an English translation if the lyrics are in another language). If possible, please use a 12-point font and double-spaced with 1-inch margins.
- Only one entry per student may be submitted, and all entries will become the property of the Take back The Night 2009 and will not be returned.
- Video submissions should be no more than 5 minutes long.
- Well thought out pieces that clearly address the topic of interpersonal violence
- Depth of feeling about the subject
- Originality and imagination
- Eloquence and style
- Written work that is clear, articulate and logically organized
- Written work that is carefully proofread
PRIZES: There will be up to 3 major winners. Recognition may be given to additional entries of merit. Winners' will be invited to share their work at the Take Back the Night Rally on April 15th, 2009. Pieces may also be displayed on Take Back The Night MySpace page. Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes. Winners of the Grand Prize, 2nd Prize, and 3rd Prize category will receive prize packages that may include the following: * mp3 pLayer * Gift Certificates * cash prize All winners will receive a 2008 Creative Expression Contest Award Certificate.
DEADLINE: All entries must be postmarked Friday, March 27th, 2009. Entries can also be dropped off at Empact 1232 E Broadway Tempe, AZ 85282. Winners will be notified by telephone, mail, or e-mail in by April 1st, 2009.
HOW TO ENTER: Fill out entry form here Contact [email protected] with questions
LEGAL GUIDELINES The decisions of the judges with respect to the selection of the winners and in regard to all matters relating to this contest shall be final. Anyone not complying with all of the contest rules will automatically be disqualified. No telephone calls or correspondence will be accepted inquiring on judges' selections. By entering, the individual student entrant and his/her parent or legal guardian, or the school/district entrant and all those involved in compiling entry materials grant the Sponsor (EMPACT) the right to copy, edit, publish, promote, broadcast or otherwise use, in whole or in part, their entries in any manner without further permission, notice or compensation. In the event that there are an insufficient number of entries received that meet the minimum standards for any of the three entry categories (as determined by the judges), all prizes may not be awarded. By accepting a prize, each individual student winner and his/her parent or legal guardian, and each school/district entrant and all those involved in compilation of entry materials grant the Sponsor the right to use his/her individual or school/district name and likeness for any advertising, promotion, trade or any other purpose without further compensation or permission, except where prohibited by law. Void in Puerto Rico and wherever prohibited or restricted by law. By entering, individual students and school/district entrants release the Sponsor and its project partners and their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, divisions, advertising, production and promotion agencies from any and all liability for any loss, harm, damages, costs or expenses, including without limitation property damages, personal injury and/or death arising out of participation in this contest, the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any prize, claims based on publicity rights, defamation or invasion of privacy, merchandise delivery or the violation of any intellectual property rights.
Participants using the Internet must provide a valid e-mail address. The Sponsor is not responsible for technical, hardware, software or telephone or other transmission failures of any kind; lost or unavailable network connections; or incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions whether, by any equipment or programming utilized in promotions, games or contests, or by human error which may occur in the processing of submissions, which may limit a participant's ability to participate. The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel or suspend the Contest should a virus, bug, computer or other problem beyond the control of the Sponsor corrupt the administration, security or proper execution of the Contest. The Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual that tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or website; violates the Official Rules; or acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner at any time during the judging process, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. All Internet participants agree to be bound by these rules, and the Official General Rules appearing above. The Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, stolen, damaged, incomplete, undelivered, mutilated, illegible or misdirected entries or for typographical errors in any entry. Entries are void if they are in whole or in part illegible, incomplete, or damaged. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. A purchase does not improve your chance of winning.
Void where prohibited by law.
Inquiries may be sent to [email protected]