EdTA’s 2012 Thespian Democracyworks Essay Competition now accepting submissions

Update: The submission deadline has been extended to February 27.

The Educational Theatre Association’s fourth annual student essay competition is now accepting entries. The winner of the Thespian Democracyworks Essay Competition will receive $1,500 toward expenses to attend Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., April 16-17, 2012, plus $250 cash.

The 2012 competition asks students to respond to this statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan: “The opportunity to learn about the arts and to perform as artists is an essential part of a well-rounded curriculum and complete education.”

Arts Advocacy Day, sponsored by Americans for the Arts, brings together arts advocates from throughout the country to meet with legislators on behalf of a wide range of arts issues, including arts education. The essay competition winner and a chaperone must be available to attend the two-day event. The winning essayist will take part in all scheduled Arts Advocacy Day events, including legislative training on current arts issues circulating on Capitol Hill; the Congressional Arts Breakfast; visits to Congress members’ and senators’ offices; and the Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The winning essay and a photo of the winner will be published in Dramatics. The first runner-up essayist will be awarded $150, and second runner-up, $100.

Duncan’s statement was part of his introduction to the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities report Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning America’s Future Through America’s Schools. The report makes the case for a renewed and broadened focus on arts education, asserting that the best way to foster innovation and creativity in today’s global economy is through the arts. The report points out that, while there are arts-rich schools throughout the country that offer students broad opportunities to experience the arts in meaningful ways, many others offer little or no arts activities that might help students achieve and succeed in other academic areas. Duncan’s comment echoes the two fundamental conclusions of the report: one, that there needs to be more diversity and dynamism in how arts education is provided; and two, a concerted effort will be required to address the inequities in young Americans’ access to arts education. 

“We want our Thespians to be the thought and action leaders in student arts education advocacy,” said EdTA Executive Director Julie Woffington. “The Democracyworks competition is a chance for them to articulate how their own arts experiences have helped them grow and achieve, as well as to address the broader value of arts education for all students, not just a privileged few.”

Woffington also urged EdTA members to consider attending Arts Advocacy Day. “I’m going to be making my own first trip, and I’d really appreciate the support and comradeship of my fellow EdTA members. And we really need to see more students at this event,” she said. “We all know that there have been serious cutbacks in arts education programs in the last few years. Arts Advocacy Day is a great opportunity for students and adults alike to voice their support for arts education in their state and Congressional districts.”     

The submission deadline for essays is February 24, 2012. For the complete essay guidelines go to schooltheatre.org/essayguidelines.

To find out more about Arts Advocacy Day and to register, go to the Americans for the Arts website: www.artsusa.org/events/2012/aad/default.asp.