NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts (GRFA) in partnership with the Trombone Shorty Foundation recently announced the theme for the 2024 Visual Arts and Songwriting Contest – “Hidden Stories: Unveiling Louisiana’s Untold Narratives Through Art & Song.” Louisiana high school juniors and seniors are encouraged to uncover and explore lesser-known stories, figures or aspects of Louisiana’s history and culture through an original work of art or song. The 2024 contest winners will share $25,000 in college scholarships – in addition, visual art winners’ pieces will tour on exhibition across Louisiana (Summer + Fall 2024), while the first-place songwriting winner will have the opportunity to perform at the Trombone Shorty Foundation’s annual fundraiser, Shorty Fest, next May.
Visual art and song submission applications are now open at www.rodriguefoundation.org. Deadline for entry submission is Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.
“Dad loved telling the stories of the Cajun people, and other lesser-known communities and individuals throughout Louisiana. We can’t wait to see how students choose to interpret this year’s theme and showcase their creativity through innovative works of art and song,” said Jacques Rodrigue, executive director of GRFA. “Since the inception of the visual arts contest, our foundation has awarded $605,000 in scholarships to 247 students. Now, with the expansion of the songwriting contest in its fifth year, we look forward to continuing to provide additional academic and creative opportunities for students.”
“Every year this songwriting competition continues to grow, with more students submitting inspired, original music.” Said Bill Taylor, Founding executive director of the Trombone Shorty Foundation. “There’s such a great tradition here of lyrics that tap into the folk tales of Louisiana, like Dr. John’s ‘Loup Garou’ or Mardi Gras Indian storytelling, and we can’t wait to see how the next generation are carrying that heritage forward.”
George Rodrigue’s art often focused on Louisiana culture, particularly the Cajun and Creole heritage. While he is most known for the Blue Dog, he also depicted rare scenes from Louisiana life and history. He used symbolism, color, and composition to visually convey these narratives, which evoke emotion and connection to the stories, while creating awareness of lesser known communities and traditions.
The 2024 visual arts and songwriting contest asks high school student artists and songwriters to uncover and explore lesser-known stories, figures, or aspects of Louisiana’s history and culture. They can delve into the hidden narratives, unsung heroes, or marginalized communities that have shaped the state’s identity.
We encourage students to research and depict stories related to civil rights movements, indigenous communities, LGBTQ+ history, women’s contributions, or lesser-known cultural traditions within Louisiana. They can use their artwork to shed light on these narratives, challenge stereotypes, or highlight the importance of inclusivity and representation.
VISUAL ARTS COMPETITION:
All high school juniors and seniors in the state of Louisiana are eligible to apply. Contest judges will select 10 finalists (5 juniors/5 seniors) to share $19,000 in college scholarships. Following the Scholarship Awards Luncheon (Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel), the winning entries will tour on exhibition across Louisiana.
Individual artwork will be judged on the following three criteria:
- Concept/Design: Does the artwork address the theme in a clear and inventive way? (1/3 score)
- Technical Skill: Does the artwork show an understanding of visual art principles such as use of color, shading, light, and form? (1/3 score)
- Creativity: Does the artwork showcase an original point of view? Does it provide a fresh perspective on the theme? (1/3 score)
SONGWRITING COMPETTION:
All high school juniors and seniors in the state of Louisiana are eligible to apply. A selection of three finalists will share $6,000 in college scholarships. Following the Scholarship Awards Luncheon (Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel) the first-place winner will have the opportunity to perform during the Trombone Shorty Foundation’s annual fundraiser, Shorty Fest next May.
Song submissions will be judged on the following criteria:
- Structure and Composition: Does the song have clearly identifiable sections (verse, chorus, etc.)? Is the song between 2-5 minutes? Does the song have a clear theme and cohesive structure? Does the music have an identifiable rhyme scheme or pattern? (1/3 score)
- Melody: Does the song have continuity and coherence in melody, as well as tone and style? Does the song offer something unique, different, and totally original? Does the music keep the listener interested and engaged? (1/3 score)
- Lyrics: Are the lyrics creative and original? Do they inspire an emotional or visceral reaction from the listener? Do the music and lyrics fit together in a cohesive way? (1/3 score)
For more information on GRFA’s 2024 Art/Songwriting contest, please visit www.rodriguefoundation.org.
