Listings are accepted on a space-available basis. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday prior to date of publication at the latest. To submit contest items, mail to Contests, Patuxent Publishing Co. Editorial, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278; email hccalendar@patuxent.com; fax 410-332-6336; or call 410-332-6497.
Rising Star Award Competition Call for Applicants — Hosted by the Howard County Arts Council. Open to individual performers, ages 18-35, who live, train, work, or perform regularly in Howard County or have done so in the past. Review criteria include artistic expression, techni-cal ability, and stage presence. Up to ten selected finalists will perform at the Arts Council's annual benefit gala, Celebration of the Arts in Howard County. The event audience will then vote for their favorite performer. The winner of the popular vote will receive the top $5,000 Rising Star Emerging Performing Artist Award; additional awards may be given depending on the amount of funding raised from the event. $10. http://www.hocoarts.org. 410-313-2787 or info@hocoarts.org.
2011 Human Rights Award Call for Nominees — Sponsored by the Human Rights Commission. Seeking nominations for its awardwhich recognizes outstanding achievement in eliminating discrimination and advancing human rights for all Howard County citizens. Nominees may be living or deceased; must have lived in Howard County for at least 10 years; have displayed leadership and achievement within Howard County's human rights movement; and their efforts must have had a lasting impact. Community organizations may also be nominated for this year's award. To apply, nominators must submit a typed narrative, not to exceed two pages in length, that documents the nominee's achievements, accomplishments and contributions to human and civil rights in Howard County. The narrative must include information about the nominee's human and civil rights endeavors. Nominations can be submitted from an organization or individual. All completed nomination forms should be mailed to The Human Rights Commission, Attn: Stephanie Chapple, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046, or faxed to 410-313-6468. http://www.howardcountymd.gov/humanrights.htm. Deadline is 4 p.m. Oct. 14.
Cultural Arts Showcase 2012 Call for Applicants — Howard County Arts Council is seeking artist applications for its annual Cultural Arts Showcase, a program to assist school and civic organizations in identifying performing, visual and literary artists for workshops, performances, demonstrations and in-school residencies. Attendees of Showcase include cultural arts representatives, PTA Representatives, festival and special event coordinators from Recreation and Parks and other members of the community. Deadline is Nov. 4. 410-313-2787 or http://www.hocoarts.org.
Howie Award Call for Nominees — Howard County Arts Council is seeking nominations for the 2011 Howie Awards, presented annually to an outstanding: artist who has contributed a high level of talent and vision to the artistic life of the community; arts educator who has made an outstanding contribution to arts in education in Howard County; and business or community supporter of the arts in recognition of their long-term contributions or significant impact on the arts in Howard County. Deadline is Nov. 1. 410-313-2787 or http://www.hocoarts.org.
Howard County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Commission Annual Student Essay Contest — Students must be a Howard County resident and in either middle or high school. Essays must be typed, double-spaced and include a cover page with the student's name, address, telephone number, email address, school and grade. Middle school student essays should be between 500-750 words in length; high school student essays must be between 750-1,000-words. Essays will be judged on content, spelling and sentence structure. Students with disabilities may submit entries that address the essay question through use of other media (posters, pictures, etc.). Student essays must address the following essay question: In considering Dr. King's dream of equality for all, what does "Renewing the Dream" mean to you, and what can you do to "Renew the Dream" in your school and/or local community? Students must reference the following two passages from Dr. King's "I Have a Dream Speech" in their essay answer:
"Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to open doors of opportunity to all God's children."
"We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead… 'When will you be satisfied?' We can never be satisfied."
All completed nomination forms should be hand delivered or mailed to: 2011 MLK Student Essay Contest, c/o Howard County Office of Human Rights, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 239, Columbia, MD 21046, or faxed to 410-313-6468. http://www.howardcountymd.gov/humanrights.htm Deadline is 5 p.m. Nov. 15. Gwen Hackney, 410-313-6467 or mhackney@howardcountymd.gov.
Howard County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Commission "Living the Dream" Award Call for Nominees — To recognize an outstanding individual or organization that has promoted the teachings and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through community involvement in Howard County. Nominees must be either residents of Howard County or an organization located in the County; have demonstrated the life, work, teachings or legacy of Dr. King; promoted community involvement among all ethnic groups, regardless of social, economic or religious background; and be committed to non-violence and humanitarian services. Nominators must submit a typed narrative, 500 words or less, that describes why this individual or organization deserves to win the 2011 "Living the Dream" Award by answering the following questions: What type(s) of community participation has the nominee been involved with? What impact has the nominee had on the community? Describe the nominee's achievements and their significance. Additional information pertinent to this award, such as newspaper clippings, articles and other supporting information may be submitted as well. One additional letter of endorsement which speaks of the recipient's community involvement is also required. Nominations can be submitted from an individual or organization. Mail to Howard County Office of Human Rights, Attn: "Living the Dream" Award, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046, or faxed to 410-313-6468. http://www.howardcountymd.gov/humanrights.htm. Deadline is 5 p.m. Nov. 15. Gwen Hackney, 410-313-6467 or mhackney@howardcountymd.gov.
Howard County Arts Council's 2012 Arts Scholarship — Awarding a minimum of $10,000 in scholarship funds to students entering college in the 2012-2013 academic year. Scholarships must be used for enrollment in an accredited college program for a degree in the arts. Awards will be made in the minimum amount of $1,000 and may be used for tuition and fees only. Review criteria will include artistic merit, demonstrated knowledge of an artistic discipline, commitment to a career in the arts, and a demonstrated track record of success in an academic setting. Applicants must be legal residents of Howard County. http://www.hocoarts.org. Deadline is Dec. 15. Howard County Arts Council, 410-313-2787 or info@hocoarts.org.
2012 Women's Hall of Fame Call for Nominees — Howard County Commission for Women is seeking nominations for outstanding women who have made significant contributions to Howard County, the State of Maryland or the nation through their profession and/or community service and who are models of achievement for tomorrow's female leaders. To be eligible for this award, nominees may be either living or deceased and must have lived in Howard County for at least 10 years. http://www.howardcountymd.gov/whofnominationform.pdf. Deadline is Nov 18. Department of Citizen Services, 410-313-6400 or women@howardcountymd.gov.