Architecture
Architectural Drawing
All entries must be of an architectural nature. You are encouraged to draw from life, but creative liberty is desirable as well. Although art drawn by hand is strongly recommended, we will also accept original digital work.
Art and Design
Self-Portrait
A portrait can communicate much more than a likeness, and in this competition there are few boundaries. You are encouraged to explore personal identity, cultural differences, and all that makes you who you are. With a wide variety of media to select from (painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography are all acceptable), it is up to you to select how to best depict yourself. Digital work must be fully created by you (not a manipulation of an existing image).
Dance
Choreography
Calling all choreographers! We are looking for original choreography that demonstrates your skill and potential as a creative artist in dance. Video submissions should be under five minutes long and can feature a solo or group work in any dance genre.
Landscape Architecture
Design a Playscape
If you could design your own play space, what would it look like? A hand drawing, computer-generated artwork, or a collage of inspirational imagery will all be accepted.
Items to consider in your design:
- Design must have green space appropriate for its location.
- Design must have a water feature (can be seasonal).
- Design should encourage play by a variety of age groups.
Optional: You may include a brief written description of your design process.
Music
Performance
Senior entrants: The competition includes one preliminary round of auditions followed by a formal audition that will serve as your audition for admission to the School of Music. For the preliminary round, submit a video online in which you perform 10 minutes of music of your choice.
If you are selected for the next round, you should follow the School of Music undergraduate audition requirements. Those invited to continue to the second round are encouraged to audition on campus if possible, although another video submission is acceptable.
Freshman/sophomore/junior entrants: Submit a video of a performance of 10 minutes of music of your choice for consideration.
Theatre
Acting
Present a monologue. The material may be traditional or contemporary but must be no more than two minutes in length. Use no costumes, props, or extensive staging. Please include a brief paragraph of no more than 100 words explaining the context of the monologue and your understanding of the character.
Urban Planning
Ideal City
You have no doubt been influenced by your hometown, places you have traveled, and how cities are depicted on TV and in movies. Now it's time to create your own city: How does your ideal city look and why? Why would people want to live in your city?
Follow these instructions when creating your entry:
- State your vision and the goals that you feel would be accomplished through your design, spatial organization, and public policy.
- Develop urban design features or concepts that support your goals.
- Show your design elements in your sketch(es) and/or collage of images.
- Put your vision and goals in a written statement. How will your design produce a better city than conventional urban development would? The length is up to you (but likely three pages would be sufficient).
Your material may be submitted in one of two formats:
- Two Microsoft Word documents: one containing your written statement and a second one containing the accompanying images/sketches
- A PowerPoint presentation containing both text and images
Faculty judges will consider the following criteria when evaluating your submission:
- Whether you presented a clear vision and clear goals;
- The comprehensiveness of what you considered in terms of the components of a city; and
- The overall thoughtfulness/creativity of your ideas.
You will not be judged on your artistic skills in your drawing. Only your ideas will be considered.
