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Entries Deadline

13-Apr-2026 11:59 PM (GMT-06:00)

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DIANE NASH CREATIVE COMPETITION 

OFFICIAL RULES & PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS AND JUDGING 

Presented by the Office of the Metropolitan & Davidson County Trustee, Erica S. Gilmore 

 

1. COMPETITION OVERVIEW 

The Diane Nash Creative Competition honors the leadership, courage, and historic influence of Diane Nash, especially her transformational role as a young woman and student during the Civil Rights Movement. Students are invited to submit original creative works reflecting the theme: 

“Prepared for the Moment: Courage, Leadership, and Community Action.” 

 

2. ELIGIBILITY 

A. Divisions 

  • Junior Division: Grades 1–8 (ages 6–14) 

  • Senior Division: Grades 9–12 (ages 14–18) 

Home‑schooled students should enter based on age. 

B. Residency 

Entrants must live in or attend school in Davidson County or the greater Nashville area. 

C. Number of Entries 

Each student may submit one entry per category. 

D. Teams/Collaborations 

  • Speech / Song: Up to 3 students 

  • Visual & Digital Art: Solo preferred; collaborations up to 3 students allowed 

  • Team entries compete in the division of the oldest team member. 

 

3. CATEGORIES & SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

A. Speech 

  • Length: 3–5 minutes (written transcript required) 

  • Formats: PDF or DOCX + optional performance video (MP4 ≤ 300 MB) 

  • Artist statement: 150–250 words 

B. Song (Original Music) 

  • Length: 2–4 minutes 

  • File formats: MP3 or WAV 

  • Lyric sheet (PDF/DOCX) + 150–250 word artist statement 

C. Visual & Digital Art 

  • Accepts drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, digital illustration, animation (≤ 45 sec MP4). 

  • Static works: JPG/PNG/PDF (min. 2000 px) 

  • Digital/Animation: MP4 ≤ 45 sec 

  • Artist statement: 150–250 words 

D. AI Usage Disclosure (Digital Categories) 

If any AI tools were used, entrants must disclose 

  • which tool 

  • what part of the work 

  • the extent of original composition 

Entries primarily AI‑generated may be disqualified. 

 

4. SUBMISSION PROCEDURES 

A. Online Submission 

All entries must be submitted through the official submission portal (Microsoft Forms/SharePoint or Nashville.gov competition page). 

B. Required Uploads 

  1. Creative work (file format per category) 

  1. Artist / Speaker Statement 

  1. Signed Permission & Release Form 

  1. Any supporting materials (e.g., transcripts, lyric sheets) 

C. File Naming Convention 

Category_Division_LastName_FirstName_Title 

 

5. CONTENT STANDARDS 

Entrants must follow these guidelines: 

  • Content must be respectful, appropriate, and non‑harmful. 

  • Historical references must be accurate; sources cited when needed. 

  • No content depicting violence, harassment, hate, or unsafe behavior. 

  • Artwork or multimedia may not include copyrighted material without permission. 

 

6. JUDGING PROCESS 

A. Judges 

Judges will include: 

  • Trustee Erica S. Gilmore – Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson Co. Trustee 

  • Metanoya Webb, Creative Content Executive & Former Editor of Essence Magazine 

  • David Jon Walker, Graphic Designer & Educator Yale University 

  • Dr. Learotha Williams, Davidson Co. Historian and Professor - Tenn. State University  

  • Rev. Dr. Jason Curry, Associate VP/Dean of Chapel - Fisk University 

  • Rabbi Shana Mackler, Rabbi and Scholar - The Temple Nashville 

B. Blind Review 

Judges receive entries labeled by an anonymous Entry ID. 

C. Scoring 

Each judge scores using the 100‑point rubrics per category: 

  • Speech Rubric 

  • Song Rubric 

  • Visual & Digital Art Rubric 

  • Overall Winner Rubric (cross‑category) 

Judges may also submit comments for feedback. 

D. Deliberation 

Top scorers move to panel discussion for final ranking. Judges may request a re‑review. 

E. Winners 

Awards in each category and each division: 

  • 1st Place 

  • 2nd Place 

  • 3rd Place 

One Overall Winner selected from all first‑place winners using the Overall Rubric. 

 

7. DETAILED JUDGING RUBRICS 

Speech (100 points) 

  • Thematic Insight — 25 

  • Organization — 20 

  • Delivery — 20 

  • Originality — 20 

  • Accuracy — 15 

Song (100 points) 

  • Composition — 25 

  • Lyrics — 25 

  • Performance — 20 

  • Originality — 20 

  • Production — 10 

Visual & Digital Art (100 points) 

  • Concept — 30 

  • Design — 20 

  • Technique — 20 

  • Originality — 20 

  • Statement/Presentation — 10 

Overall Winner Rubric (100 points) 

  • Thematic Depth — 30 

  • Originality — 25 

  • Technical Mastery — 20 

  • Community/Educational Impact — 15 

  • Professionalism — 10 

 

8. TIE‑BREAKING PROCEDURES 

If two entries tie: 

  1. Higher Thematic Depth score prevails 

  1. If still tied: higher Originality score 

  1. If still tied: judges hold a panel vote 

  1. If still tied: two co‑winners may be awarded (rare) 

 

9. DISQUALIFICATION CRITERIA 

Entries may be disqualified for: 

  • Copyright violations 

  • Plagiarism 

  • Undisclosed AI‑generated content 

  • Improper or harmful content 

  • Late submission 

  • Missing Permission & Release Form 

  • Inability to verify authorship 

A procedural appeal may be filed within 5 business days. 

 

10. AWARDS & RECOGNITION 

Winning entries may be: 

  • Showcased during the Celebration of Courage 

  • Published on event site 

  • Featured on social media 

  • Displayed at the Prepared for the Moment Mobile Exhibit 

Prizes may include monetary awards (up to $1,000), certificates, and public recognition. 

 

11. DISPLAY & LICENSE 

Entrants retain copyright but grant the Office of the Trustee a non‑exclusive license to display and publish the work for educational, archival, and promotional purposes. 

 

12. CONTACT & SUPPORT 

For submission issues or accommodations: 
dianenashmarch@gmail.com 
615-862-6330