Shared Light: How It Works

An Online Art and Discussion Series
Rules & Participation Guidelines

1. Timeline

  • The Shared Light series will run from August 9 to November 1, 2025.
  • Nominations, discussions, and public sharing will all take place during this period.
  • Recognized works will be announced shortly after the close of the series.

2. Who Can Participate

Anyone is welcome — whether you're an artist, admirer, neighbor, or community member. You can nominate artwork, join a salon conversation, or both.

3. What You Can Nominate

  • You may nominate up to three works of art.
  • Art may be visual, musical, written, or performed — but must be viewable online.
  • Each piece should reflect something that helped you feel less alone, more connected, or more seen.
  • Submissions do not need to be your own work, though self-nominations by artists are warmly encouraged.
  • Nominated works will become part of the public Art Collection for the Shared Light series. They’ll serve as prompts for small‑group “salon” discussions, reflection, and dialogue grounded in what unites us.

4. How to Nominate Artwork

  • Create a free account at WithCommunity.org.
  • Fill out the nomination form for each piece.
  • Share a few sentences about why the piece moved you.
  • Once submitted, you’ll receive an email with:
    • A link to your nomination’s public entry page
    • Prompts and suggestions for how to start discussion around the artwork
  • You are encouraged (but not required) to share your nomination on social media using #SharedLight and #CommunityHealsUs.

5. How to Join a Salon Discussion

  • Anyone may request to join a small-group Zoom salon.
  • To participate, you must complete all three forms:
    • Participant Interest Form
    • Meeting Preferences Form
    • Contact Info Form
  • Our community organizing team curates each salon group, matching participants based on shared interests, availability, and conversational fit.
  • Once a group is curated, we notify participants by email and coordinate timing using a schedule voting tool.
  • Salons are welcoming spaces for open dialogue—not performances or debates.
  • Conversations explore nominated art and the themes of loneliness, connection, and belonging.

6. Art Recognition & Selection

  • Every accepted nomination will receive a dedicated public web page on the Community Heals Us website.
  • These pages will include:
    • The nominated artwork (linked)
    • The nominator’s reflection
    • (If applicable) A reflection from the artist
  • A number of works will be selected for recognition and awarded prizes.
  • Selections will be made by a Selection Team using a specialized approach to engagement tracking.
  • Consideration will be based on
    • Emotional resonance
    • Quality of reflections and conversations
    • Thoughtful public engagement, including salon participation and social sharing
  • Cash and in-kind prizes will be awarded to selected artists and nominators.

7. Nominator Recognition & Consent

We believe in celebrating the contributions of nominators — but only if that’s something you’re comfortable with.

  • Public recognition is entirely optional.
  • If you give consent, we may share your name, your nomination statement, and the nominated work on:
    • The WithCommunity website
    • The Community Heals Us website
    • Other affiliated platforms or social media channels

You’ll be able to indicate your preferences when submitting your nomination.

8. Content Guidelines

  • Nominations must follow community standards.
  • No hateful, explicit, or violent content.
  • We reserve the right to decline or remove entries that do not align with the values of Shared Light.

9. Terms & Eligibility

  • Eligibility: Anyone is welcome to participate. If a selected participant is under 18, a parent or guardian must accept the prize on their behalf.
  • No purchase or payment is required to participate or be eligible for recognition or awards.
  • Award delivery is subject to availability. Cash and in-kind awards may be substituted at the organizers’ discretion.
  • Selection is not based on chance. All recognitions are determined through a curated review of engagement, reflection quality, and conversation impact.
  • Accepted nominations must comply with community guidelines and be appropriate for public display.