The Creative, Performing and Visual Art Awards
NC State Students: Apply for the Creative Artist Award
The Arts NC State Creative Artist Award recognizes original work in music, dance and theatre created by NC State students. Each winning creative artist(s) receives $500, and the selected work(s) will be performed and/or workshopped in the following academic year by the appropriate Arts NC State performing arts program. Read the Technician’s coverage of the theatre award here.
NEW EVENT: The 2023 Creative Artist Award winner for music, Gianni Absillis, will present his award winning composition, “Closeted” at the beginning of the DASA end of the year awards ceremony. This is a piece written for piano and violin, performed by students Anatoly Larkin and Sonny Enslen.
Theatre deadline: November 1. 11:59pm
Dance and Music deadlines: Monday April 15, 2024. 11:59pm
Creative Artist Award FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for the Creative Artist Award?
The award is open to any currently enrolled, full-time NC State student. A group submission will be accepted only if all students in the group are currently enrolled, full-time NC State students. Entrants are not required to enroll/participate in the arts programs at NC State.
How are Creative Artist Award winners selected?
A committee of Arts NC State music, dance and theatre faculty annually reviews submissions of original work in the fields of music, dance and theatre, and chooses the artists who best exemplify the award(s) for Creative Artist. Read about past award winners.
How many Creative Artist Awards are given each year?
The Creative Artist Award is intended to honor one student each in music, dance and theatre, but the judges retain the right to award multiple winners in a single area or to make no award at all.
What do winners of the Creative Artist Award receive?
Each winning creative artist receives $500 along with recognition in an awards ceremony the following year. Additionally, the selected work(s) will be performed in the following academic year by the appropriate performing arts program.
A corresponding grant up to $1,000 is given to the appropriate program or department to assist in the production of the selected work by the Department of Music, Dance Program or University Theatre.
What happens if a group submission wins?
If one or more artists submit an original work as group, the $500 will be split between members of the group.
How will winners be notified?
Winners will be notified by email and posted on this web page.
Additional entry rules for music, dance and theatre
Theatre
The deadline to submit your original play is November 1 at 11:59pm.
Students wishing to apply for the Creative Artist Award in Theatre can submit an original play in a one-act format; any genre, theme or content is acceptable. The Winning play will be provided script development in the following spring semester and will be produced the following fall semester within University Theatre’s Studio Series.
Submissions will be assessed by University Theatre staff utilizing the following criteria:
- The material is respectful of human differences. If racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, or other hate oriented behaviors are present in the play, they are a source of exploration and not merely of given circumstance.
- An exciting, inventive, and/or nuanced idea is being explored, one that would benefit from further development.
- There is action and/or character development occurring within the play.
- There is a clear organizational structure to the play, satisfying beginning, middle, and end.
- The play is determined by UT staff to be “producible” within University Theatre’s standard 5 week rehearsal process.
- The play can be performed with two to twelve actors.
- The performance run time is determined by UT staff to be between 30 to 60 minutes.
- The submission must not have been previously produced by any other company or provided a staged reading or performance by University Theatre.
Applicants must upload a Microsoft Word file of the script via the form link above utilizing the following guidelines:
- Double spaced, 11 point Times New Roman or Arial font
- Cover page to include title and playwright name only
- Title Page to include
- Play title (do not include playwright’s name on title page or internal documents)
- 50-75 word summary of play
- List of all characters each with a short description.
- Any notes regarding playwright’s requirements for the production of this show (will not be applied to readings).
- This is not required and uncommon however if there are requirements for the presentation of your play, please provide them on the title page. Examples may include roles that may only be played by an actor of a particular demographic.
Acceptance of the award gives University Theatre first reading/production rights and the winner must be able to work with University Theatre staff in developing the work the following spring semester.
If you have any questions please contact email universitytheatre@ncsu.edu
Music
Issued by the Department of Music
Submission due date: April 15, 2024 by 11:59pm. Criteria updated for the award:
Students wishing to apply in the field of music must submit an original work for one of the following media:
- Jazz ensemble
- Orchestra
- Chamber Ensemble
- Pipes & Drums
- Solo piano
- Solo/Duo instrument or voice (with or without accompaniment)
- Band
- Choir (any voicing with or without accompaniment)
- Electronic or Computer Music
Any other combinations of instruments than those listed above must be cleared in advance by contacting the Associate Head of the Department of Music, Dr. Tom Koch: tdkoch@ncsu.edu.
For all media except electronic or computer music, students must submit an original written score. No recordings are required, though MIDI realizations are strongly encouraged.
For electronic or computer music, where the work intrinsically exists as a recording rather than in the form of a notated score, students must submit in addition to the recording a statement describing the structure of the work.
Upon notification of winning, award recipient must produce individual parts of the winning work by advance date given or prize will be forfeited.
Dance
Issued by the Dance Program
Submission due date: April 15, 2024 by 11:59pm *no extensions this year*
Students wishing to apply for the Creative Artist Award in the field of dance must submit the following two items:
- A private YouTube link of an original work in progress or completed work that originated in a dance course, company, or independently. The piece should show original movement vocabulary, specific thematic content, and have the potential to be well developed.
- A two-page narrative/project proposal outlining the concept and plans for development and producing of the proposed choreographic work.
The choreographer chosen will have the opportunity to produce their piece in one of a variety of ways including, but not limited to, for a Dance Program concert or informal showing, as a screendance, or as a site specific piece.
Image of Leslie Barber from her 2016 Creative Artist Award Winning Dance Piece
The Performing Artist Award
The Arts NC State Performing Artist Award honors outstanding student performers in music, dance and theatre.
Arts faculty and staff members select the recipients of the Performing Artist Awardâ€â€students do not need to apply (Music Department will hold auditions). The winning performing artist(s) will receive $500 and acknowledgement in the following year’s Arts NC State playbills.
FAQ about the Performing Artist Award
Who is eligible for a Performing Artist Award?
The students who will be considered for this award are any current full-time NC State student enrolled in an Music Department, Dance Program or University Theatre course and/or involved in a Music Department, Dance Program or University Theatre production or performance.
How are Performing Artist Award winners selected?
Arts NC State faculty and staff in each performing arts area (music, dance and theatre) will choose the artist who best exemplifies a high caliber of performance and artistic dedication.
How many Performing Artist Awards are given each year?
It is intended that the Performing Artist Award honor one student each in music, dance and theatre, but the judges retain the right to award multiple winners in a single area or to make no award at all.
How will winners be notified?
Winners will be notified via email and announced on arts.ncsu.edu