Do You Haiku?

Mon, Nov 16, 2009

: Japanese pagoda in EPCOT Center at Disney World, sometime in the 1980’s./ courtesy of the Florida State Archives

Enter contest now.
You may well win a cash prize.
Brief words are worth much.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the University of Wynwood are launching a haiku contest to generate discussion about arts funding, and the winner will walk away with $500.

Traditionally, the Japanese verse form invokes the natural world. The contest, though, seeks to address a more localized topic: the Miami-Dade County Commission’s review of public arts funding.

“Entries can be political and provocative or whimsical and kindhearted - there’s no limitation to approach,” according to the rules.

“The goal of the contest is to provide a canvas of opinion on the arts in Miami, in addition to promoting creativity and a fun, interactive medium for public expression.”

Contestants must be Miami-Dade residents. No previous haiku experience necessary.

Entries will be accepted through Nov. 21 at www.KnightArts.org. Click the “Do You Haiku?” tab.

What: Haiku contest
Theme: Miami-Dade County Commission’s recent arts funding discussion.
Submission Period: Through Nov. 21, 2009
Prizes: First prize is $500, Second price is $250 and five others will receive honorable mention and $100.

Rules: All haiku should be in the traditional format of 5-7-5: five syllables for the first line, seven for the second and five for the third. Rhyme is not a requirement.

The haiku contest is a part of Knight Foundation’s Knight Arts Challenge, a $40 million initiative to bring the South Florida community together through the arts.