This article originally appeared in the Techne Institute
Looking@Democracy
The MacArthur Foundation and the Illinois Humanities Council
Amount: Prizes ranging from $5,000 to $25,000
Deadline: April 30, 2013
Website: http://lookingatdemocracy.org/
Looking@Democracy is a national competition offering a total of $100,000 in prize money for short, provocative media submissions designed to spark a national conversation about why government is important to our lives, or how individuals and communities can come together to strengthen American democracy. Launching on February 4, 2013, the challenge will award $25,000 for First Place along with significant prizes for 2nd and 3rd place as well as categories and awards for People’s Choice and Emerging Artists.
Examples of welcome submissions would be addressing a critical topic that is absent from the national debate, looking at data and exploring the stories behind them, or highlighting an aspect about democracy taking place on a local level. By making submissions in any digital format welcome, the challenge hopes to engage with independent media makers, investigative reporters, students, graphic designers and artists – anyone with creative ideas to help engage Americans and shift the political discussion in a fresh and engaging way.
A panel of expert judges from media and non-profits will judge the submissions, which include Maria Hinojosa of Public Radio’s Latino USA, Filmmaker Byron Hurt (Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes) and Ian Inaba, film director (American Blackout) and Executive Director of the Citizen Engagement Laboratory.
Create and send us short digital media content that either:
(a) Tells a story about why government is important to our lives, or
(b) Tells how we might together strengthen American democracy.
Your submission can come in many formats such as short videos, audio stories, animation, music videos, public service announcements, infographics, graphic art, even Facebook and iPhone apps. They all just need to be digital so they can be shared electronically.
How to Enter
Entries must be submitted by 3pm Eastern Time on April 30th, 2013, using the application form on the challenge Website.
Submissions may consist of a short (generally three minutes or less), creative media piece (video, audio, graphic, animation, photo, data visualization, social media or mobile game).
For more information contact: LookingAtDemocracy@prairie.org