FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

May I designate my gift in honor or memory of someone?

Yes! What a wonderful way to honor a family member, friend, or colleague Please write a note and include: 1. The name of the honoree 2. The name and address of the person or people you would like notified of your gift.



The Application

I want to redo my video. Can I edit and re-submit my Application?

NO. Google forms will NOT allow you to edit your video or responses. ONCE THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED, NO EDITS CAN BE MADE TO IT. Grantees will have the opportunity to edit their submission or reshoot their video before premiering the full performance of their work. If you exit out of your browser before you hit Submit, Google does NOT save your responses, but you can edit them at any time BEFORE you hit Submit. Don't hit Submit until your answers are final. Please look over your work carefully.



Is it considered unpublished if my poem/song/story is on my website? Can I still submit?

Yes. We will accept your piece if the material has ONLY been up on your personal website (including Patreon account) or social media accounts, PROVIDED that you take it down BEFORE you submit your Application, and keep it down until the grantees are announced (see the APPLY tab on this website). Unpublished or un-produced work means that it's not under any kind of agreement with another entity, commercial or otherwise, and not on any other website or social media account. This question only pertains to those applying for the $500 Winner grant. Applicants may submit previously published/produced work to the $150 "Virtual Gig" grant.



I have a poem/song/story I'm submitting to more than one competition, is that ok?

Not if you're applying for the $500 Winner grant, but we would accept a simultaneous submission if you're applying for the $150 Virtual Gig grant. Your work must be original and under 5 minutes though regardless of grant option, please refer to the APPLY page for details.



I'm writing a novel/play/musical, can I submit an excerpt of it?

Yes, however you would only be able to apply to the $150 "Virtual Gig" grant so that your piece is only under the ES Non-Exclusive License. Please remember though to have your submission make sense in and of itself that has a natural beginning and end, i.e. don't end in the middle of a sentence or a lyric or a scene. In our effort to curate virtual performances we want to offer audiences complete, cohesive pieces in about 5 minutes.



Can I perform more than one piece as long as my whole video is under 5 minutes?

No. Perform only one piece within one Creative Category in under 5 minutes.



I'm part of a band and also do solo work. Can I be part of more than one Application?

No. We want to be able to support as many emerging, local to the Greater DC Metro area, artists as we can, and therefore require that individuals only be part of one submission, whether as the lead Applicant, or as a member of a group. Only one submission, in one Creative Category and in one Sub-Genre is permitted per Applicant.



If I don’t win a grant, can I still get my video broadcast in a virtual performance?

Possibly! Creatives’ video submissions will be reviewed for both $500 and $150 grants and general broadcast opportunity. Grantees may be offered the opportunity to share their work via a virtual event, and we hope to hold multiple virtual events in order to showcase the work of other great submissions. Applicants who are invited to share their work in a virtual event may have the opportunity to have their videos re-shot more professionally. For the initial video submissions with your Application please send us what you think is your best work and best effort at recording both Audio and Video.