Creative Arts Contest - Complete Contest Guidelines
In support of Credit Awareness Month, the St. Louis Regional Financial Empowerment Coalition, a collaborative of local financial institutions, non-profits and community organizations, is sponsoring the Creative Arts Contest. Students in grades 6-8 are encouraged to answer this year’s Credit Awareness Month Question (see below) with a 1-1/2-minute original song and accompanying video.
2021 Credit Awareness Question
As we navigate the
challenges of the pandemic and adjust to a new normal, how can we move
forward to establish credit, build credit and create financial stability for
our families and community? In addition to addressing the issues of credit
and financial stability, you may select one of the following topics as you
respond to the question: Homeownership, student loan debt and healthcare.
Contest Timeline & Awards
- October 14, 2021: Video & Lyrics Submission Deadline. Contest starts September 7. First 250 submissions considered.
Note: The committee will select five finalists and these students will advance to the final interview round. - October 22, 2021 at 4:00 pm: Five Finalists Notified of their Advancement to Final Interview Round (via email and phone)
- October 29, 2021 at 6:00pm: Creative Arts Contest Final Interview Round (Virtual Event on Facebook and YouTube)
Note: Students must confirm that they are available to attend the virtual event in their application.
Winners will receive the following awards: First place $750; Second place $500; Third place $250. $50 of prize winnings will be applied to a MOST 529 College Savings account. Additional prizes will be awarded to the other two (2) finalists.
Complete Contest Guidelines
Candidates Must:
- Be a student in grades 6-8
- Have age appropriate knowledge of the core money management pillars: saving, spending, borrowing, and planning
- Be comfortable responding to questions about the effects of a global pandemic on finances, school, education, and social justice reform
- Not have been previously awarded a Money Smart Kid prize as a winner or finalist
- Attend school or live in the Metro St. Louis area. Counties include: (IL) Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair; (MO) Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Warren and Washington
- Must write an original song on the assigned topic and record a video of themselves performing it. The lyrics and musical composition must be the original work of the student submitting the video
- Must sign waiver for video, lyrics and picture use
General Guidelines
- One finalist per household & submission
- Song/video must be no longer than 1-1/2-minute and contain no profanity, nudity, racial slurs, gang affiliation or inappropriate paraphernalia
- No group submissions. Prizes will be issued to one person for each prize category (i.e. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place)
- Submission must include a video featuring the original song (mp4 format preferred)
- Submission must include lyrics to the song. Lyrics must be typed on plain white paper, double-spaced and attached to/with the application form.
- The application form must be signed by the student’s parent/guardian.
- The video, lyrics and application should be submitted through the online form at https://www.dropbox.com/request/4PXuJ0DJM0UWhdHAkWxz
- Save the files to your device using your last name and first name (i.e. Smith-Jane), click on the Dropbox link, select Add Files, Add your application, video and lyrics to Dropbox, Select Upload
- All submissions become the property of the Creative Arts Committee and may be used by Committee members to promote financial literacy. All submissions must be received by 11:59 pm on Thursday, October 14, 2021.