Lockdowned students encouraged to enter county competition

Canyon Lake students are encouraged to enter Art Connects, a virtual student arts competition which was launched last month in an effort to help students channel their creativity during mandatory school closures due to COVID-19. The Riverside County Office of Education said the competition is open to all students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade in Riverside County.

“Despite the closure of schools, students in Riverside County are continuing to create, dream, and express their ideas through their own unique talents and abilities,” Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Judy D. White, said at the launch of the program. “Artistic expression is a healthy way for students to process their feelings, exercise their creative abilities and expand their understanding of a changing world. These expressions have the power to uplift others and bring meaning to their life and the lives of others during challenging times.”

The competition is open to all students in grades TK-12 attending public, charter, private, parochial or home school programs in Riverside County. For each of the six weeks, students can submit their contributions at www.rcoe.us/art-connects.

Winners for the first week were announced this week and winners in the other categories will be announced in each grade level category approximately one week after the submission deadline for each week’s competition.

Awards to be given to the winning students are: 1st place award, $75 gift card from RCOE Foundation, plaque, and certificate of participation; 2nd place award, $50 gift card from RCOE Foundation and certificate of participation; 3rd place award, $25 gift card from RCOE Foundation and certificate of participation; and Honorable mention, Certificate of participation.

“The roster of distinguished judges looking to support student artists includes Riverside County artists, poets, choreographers, actors, writers, educators, filmmakers, and musicians,” Riverside County Arts Administrator, Louisa Higgins, said. “Judging criteria will include creativity/originality, connection to the weekly theme, artistic composition, and overall impression.”

A total of 525 submissions from every school district in Riverside County poetically addressed the theme “Expressions of Change.” Visual Arts winners are set for announcement next week.

Dance competition submissions are open through April 14.

The schedule of the various competitions are: Week Three (April 8-14), Medium: Dance, Theme: Expressions of Kindness. Week Four (April 15-21), Medium: Theater, Theme: Expressions of Persistence. Week Five (April 22-28), Medium: Media Arts, Theme: Expressions of Connections. Week Six (April 29 – May 5): Medium: Music, Theme: Expressions of Hope.

Additional details on Art Connects are available at www.rcoe.us/art-connects or by contacting Louisa Higgins at lhiggins@rcoe.us.

“The outpouring of creative expression from Riverside County’s youngest citizens is truly representative of the power of the arts for all ages as a tool to process the complexities of the changes happening in our world—both internally and all around us,” Louisa said. “We look forward to seeing how students bring life to the different themes over the coming weeks in the visual arts, dance, theater, media arts, and music.”