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Culture, Language, and Performing Arts Submission Guidelines & Awards

Guidelines
Awards
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Required Information

  • Your name and BYUH email address. 
  • The name of your faculty mentor. 
  • The type of project that you are proposing. 
  • A 200-word abstract that describes your project or panel. 
  • Keywords related to your topic. 

Abstract Criteria

All proposals should include a 200-word abstract that describes the project or panel. The conference committee will assess the abstracts and accept high-quality projects and panels that follow the content criteria outlined below.
    1. Clearly describe the panel's focus, including the objectives and scope of the panel. 
    2. Identify key themes and questions that the projects in the panel will explore. 
    3. Explain how the panel contributes to conversations about your academic field(s) of study. Does it address a gap in existing knowledge? Present new perspectives? What is the significance and/or impact of your discussion?  
    4. If applicable, conclude with a sentence that explains how the panel relates to the conference theme. 
    1. Clearly define a problem, opportunity, or debate in your field. 
    2. Explain how your project addresses the problem. 
    3. Define the specific material that you will examine in the project. 
    4. Include a clear, original thesis statement/argument. 
    5. If applicable, conclude with a sentence that explains how the project relates to the conference theme. 
    • Students will be given an opportunity to perform, work in an art show, or read works of creative writing. Some selected works and performances will win prizes. To apply, please write a 200-word description of the work or performance you would like to do for the event. Your work doesn’t need to be ready until March 20. For now, all you need to do is submit a proposal. The theme of the conference this year is “Perseverance is Power.” In your proposal, please describe the work or performance you would like to do and talk about how it relates to the conference theme. The conference theme is open to creative interpretation.
    • If you are doing an art piece, please tell us the medium (paint, clay, digital, etc.), subject matter, size, and style in which the piece will be done. If your piece is selected you will be asked to create the piece and write a short (one or two-paragraph) written explanation of the meaning of the piece. 
    • If you plan on submitting a piece of writing, please include the genre (poetry, short story, essay), subject matter, and any other important information. 
    • If you are proposing to do a musical or dance performance please describe what the performance is about, if it will be performed by an individual or a group, and the length of the performance (5-10 minutes is preferable). 

    Creative proposals will be selected based on:

    • Quality of the concept. 
    • How well does the proposed piece or performance align with the theme of the conference. 
    • How creative and innovative the proposed piece is. 
  • Students interested in performing arts projects should submit proposals that fall into one of the following categories:

    1. Traditional Research-Based Presentation: If choosing a traditional research-based presentation (e.g., musicology, theory, education, pedagogy, composition, technical theatre, directing, dramaturgy, playwriting), please highlight your research focus, methodology, and any significant findings. If applicable, mention how a live performance integrates with your presentation. 
    2. Original Creative Work: If choosing an original composition, monologue, or play, please provide an overview of your piece and delve into the creative process. Discuss the themes, inspirations, and techniques employed. If your work will be presented through A/V clips or live performances, briefly describe this format. 
    3. Performance with Spoken Program Notes: If focusing on performance, please outline the pieces you will perform and include insightful program notes for each. These notes should provide context, such as the history, significance, or personal connection to the pieces. 

    Students interested in entering their performing arts presentation for awards consideration can review the judging rubric on the CLAPA awards page.

    Submitting Your Project for Awards Consideration

    Each faculty unit on campus will present awards for excellent projects on all topics. Overall conference awards will also be given for projects that best address the conference theme.

  • Each faculty unit on campus will present awards for excellent projects on all topics. Overall conference awards will also be given for projects that best address the conference theme.

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Submitting Your Project for Awards Consideration

Each faculty unit on campus will present awards for excellent projects on all topics. Overall conference awards will also be given for projects that best address the conference theme.

  • Anthropology/History

    1st Place: $200

    2nd Place: $125

    3rd Place: $50

    Humanities/Intercultural Peacebuilding

    1st Place: $200

    2nd Place: $125

    3rd Place: $50

    Hawaiian Studies/Pacific Studies

    1st Place: $200

    2nd Place: $125

    3rd Place: $50

    There are three categories within the Culture and Language Research Awards, and the categories correlate with most of the programs that exist within the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts. Submissions must be made specifically to one of the three categories to be considered for an award (a submission cannot count for more than one category).

    Each research paper will receive blind peer reviews from the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts. The judging rubric will include the following:

    • Format: 
      • Abstract. 
      • 1800-2000 words (not including cover page and citations). 
      • APA or Chicago style. 
      • 12-point font typed and double-spaced. 
      • Submitted as Word document. 
    • Thesis and objective of paper: 
      • Clearly stated and focused. 
    • Content evaluation: 
      • Clear argument of thesis, solid understanding of the topic, avoids speculative or unsupported sources, and unique contribution to the conference. 
    • Scholarship: 
      • Includes full and complete endnotes/citations in APA or Chicago style. 

    Note: One (1) award is given to each winning entry. Prizes will be split among group members.

  • Music/Theatre

    1st Place: $200

    2nd Place: $125

    3rd Place: $50

    This award will be given to the top three performing arts presentations. Students will engage a public audience in a deeper understanding of their art via any of the following:

    1. A traditional research-based presentation in a music-related field (musicology/theory/education/pedagogy/composition, etc.) or theatre-related field (technical theatre/directing/dramaturgy/playwriting, etc.), with or without live performance. 
    2. An original composition, monologue, or play (performed live or presented through A/V clips) alongside insight into the composers’ or playwrights’ process. 
    3. A series of musical or theatrical performances accompanied by spoken program notes (context about each piece). 

    Each submission will receive blind peer reviews from the CLAPA faculty. The judging rubric and submissions should include the following:

    • Content Understanding 
      • Student has a deep, personal understanding of the material 
      • Originality of research or creative approach 
      • Presents new insights or perspectives in the field 
      • Performances are expressive, musically intelligent, and technically accurate 
    • Delivery 
      • The presentation is well paced and transitions between speaking and performing (if applicable) are smooth and logical. 
      • The organization of the subject matter is clear. 
      • The presenter is confident, poised, and professional. 
      • Presentations should be no longer than 15 minutes. 
    • Supporting Materials 
      • All materials including handouts, illustrations, and PowerPoint slides are well organized, visually appealing, and enhance the presentation by supplying pertinent details and source information. 

    Note: One (1) award is given to each winning entry. Prizes will be split among group members.