Throughout the weekend, one of the most anticipated elements is our Advocacy Through Art Showcase.  The purpose of the showcase is to give our children and teens a platform to express how art can uplift, inspire, and drive change within the African American community. Every piece — whether it is a performance or visual art — should be connected to our Pink and Blue Legislative Agenda.

Participation is open to members in good standing in grades 3–12. Our panel will select a child or teen from each grade group to represent their region on the national stage. All entries must be solo performances or individual submissions.

This is not just a talent show — it is advocacy in its most creative form.

To ground the artistic work in real-world advocacy, we will be aligning submissions with our Pink and Blue
Legislative Agenda.  These are areas where Jack and Jill continues to lead and influence change on a national level. We encourage families and youth to explore how these issues can be expressed through art — whether through dance, poetry, photography, speech, or song. To support age-appropriate topics, please take note of the recommended age groups attached to each initiative.

To give our youth a variety of ways to express their voice, we have created several categories for the
Advocacy Through Art Showcase.  Participants may submit in one of the following areas:

● Spoken Word / Poetry – Original poetry, monologues or oratorical speeches (Ex: Poetry Slam or
Passionate speeches)
● Vocal or Instrumental Music – Original works or meaningful covers that speak to unity, justice, resilience, or hope. (Ex: Solonge Knowles Dont Touch my Hair”). Please note, artists will need to make arrangements to provide their own instruments.
● Dance – Solo performances in styles such as modern, jazz, interpretive, African, or step. (Ex: Anything that brings advocacy to life through movement).
● Visual Art – Original paintings, drawings, digital art, or mixed media pieces. This may include photography, Social Media campaigns, presented with a brief artist statement.
● Theater / Dramatic Performance – Monologues, short scenes, reenactments, or spoken narratives inspired by historical events or current social justice themes

To ensure fairness and alignment with our mission, each submission will be evaluated using the following scoring rubric:

● Creativity & Originality (30 points) – Is the concept fresh? Does the artist interpret our Legislative
Agenda in an imaginative and meaningful way?
● Connection to the Theme / Advocacy Message (30 points) – Does the piece clearly communicate advocacy or empowerment
● Technical Skill / Quality (20 points) – How strong is the performance or craftsmanship? Is there attention to technique, clarity, or artistic execution?
● Presence / Delivery / Expression (10 points) – How confidently and passionately is the piece presented?
● Overall Impact (10 points) – Does it leave an impression? Inspire emotion or action?

Total possible score: 100 points.

This rubric helps our panel recognize not only talent, but also heart, message, and purpose.

Call for Submissions: Participants will submit a video (up to 3 minutes) or a clear digital image of their artwork, along with a brief artist statement including their name, chapter, region, and grade.

● Timeline: Submissions will open at the start of registration and must be received no later than December 10th.
● Judging Panel: The National Executive Board and the Masterpieces in Motion Taskforce will review all submissions.
● Regional Representation: One child (grades 3–6), one from Grades 6-8, and one teen (grades 9–12) from each region will be selected to perform or present live.
● Showcase Details: Each finalist will have up to 3 minutes to perform or present their work live. The entire showcase will also be livestreamed for families across the country.

This process ensures excellence while also providing national visibility for our youth artists and advocates.