Posted: Thursday, February 25, 2010 12:38 pm

The deadline for the Business Education Partnership’s “Arts for Education” all-county student arts competition has been extended to Friday, March 5th.

This innaugural art contest is open to all K-12 students in Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City schools. The goal of the competition is to enhance arts awareness in Rutherford County, honor student creativity and to celebrate National Youth Arts Month in March 2010.

The theme of the event is “The Leaf Electric,” chosen to reflect the integration of art and science in the development of the new and exciting electric car, the Leaf, by Nissan. All submitted art will be judged by artist professionals and educators. Student winners will receive a special trophy and honorable mentions will receive a certificate. The winning artists will receive their awards at the BEP’s annual Adopt-A-School Celebration in April.

Winning visual art (including honorable mentions) will be shown in the rotunda at Murfreesboro’s City Hall and the jewelry and fabric pieces will be on display at Linebaugh Library for the two weeks previous to the BEP’s inaugural fundraiser, Jazz Brunch and Art Auction, March 28th. All winning art will be sold at the Jazz Brunch and Art Auction along with other items from the local and regional community relating to the arts and quality of life.

Images of winning art will also be placed on a calendar containing the 2010 –2011 schedule for both school systems and local art events.

Funds from the event will be used to enhance BEP programming including the BEP/Nissan Mini-Grant program and teacher professional development, like BC³ Academy which enhances understanding of how math, science and technology curriculum is applied in the work world.

Applications for the contest are now available in schools. Art submissions are due at the BEP offices at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, 501 Memorial Blvd., by Friday, March 5th, 2010. For more information on the contest, or the BEP’s Jazz Brunch and Art Auction March 28th, please contact the BEP at (615) 278-2008.