Young Creatives CollectiveLiterature · Music & Performing · Visual

YCC's first competition

The Local Fix Lab

Can a piece of art help fix a real problem in a real place?

Each cycle we name one specific problem in one specific place. Not "climate change" or "mental health", but something you could walk to. You answer with a short written proposal and a creative prototype, in any art form from any of our three tracks.

Get the brief first on Discord Follow for announcements
At a glanceFirst brief soon
Format
Fully online. You never need to travel.
Enter as
Solo or a pair (no teams larger than two)
Open to
Any art form. No experience needed.
Each cycle
4 weeks from brief to results
Runs
Every quarter, with a new problem each time
The prize
An introduction to a local NGO, plus a production grant

What you submit

Two parts, judged as one.

1

A written proposal

Max 2 pages · A4 · 11pt minimum · PDF

How one or more art forms could address the exact problem in the brief. A strong proposal usually answers:

  1. What is the problem, in your own words, and who does it affect?
  2. Which art forms are you using, and why do they suit this problem and these people?
  3. What exactly would happen: where would the work appear, who would see or hear it, and what should they do or feel afterwards?
  4. How would an organization know it worked? Name one or two things they could count or observe.
  5. What would it take to run this for real, roughly, in materials, people, time and cost?

Write plainly. One judge reads proposals for a living in the social impact sector, and a clear plan beats impressive language.

2

A creative prototype

A working sample of your idea

It doesn't need to be the finished campaign, but the judges should be able to experience it, not just imagine it. Any art form is welcome, and you can combine forms.

You don't need expensive equipment. A phone camera and free editing software are enough. The judges look at the idea and how well it's carried out, not production budgets.

A brilliant prototype with a weak plan won't win. Neither will a strong plan with no real prototype.

How a cycle runs

Four weeks, brief to results.

  1. Day 1Brief released

    We publish the problem, the place, and one or two real data points about it, with sources.

  2. Weeks 1–3Build window

    Research, plan, write your proposal and make your prototype.

  3. End of week 3Deadline

    Upload both parts before the deadline. Late entries are not judged.

  4. Week 4Judging

    A two-person panel reviews every complete entry.

  5. End of week 4Results

    Winners are announced and the winning proposal goes to a local organization.

Reading the brief

Every brief tells you three things.

The problem

One specific issue, small enough to act on.

The place

One neighborhood, district or community. Places rotate between the cities our participants come from.

The evidence

A data point or two, with the source. Read it closely, and cite any extra facts you bring in.

A beautiful piece that could be about anywhere scores lower than a simpler one that clearly belongs to the place in the brief.

Prototype ideas

Bring your track. Or mix them.

Some examples of what a prototype could look like in each of our three tracks.

Literature
  • A short story
  • A set of poems
  • A zine
  • The first pages of a community storytelling booklet
Music & Performing Arts
  • An original song or recorded performance
  • A sample playlist, with how it would be used
  • A filmed scene, or a short script with a recorded reading
  • A two-minute short film
Visual Arts
  • A poster campaign of two or three designs
  • A small exhibition concept with a floor plan and sample pieces
Format limits
Video and audioUp to 3 minutes. MP4 or MP3, or an unlisted link.
Written piecesUp to 1,500 words, as a PDF.
Visual piecesUp to 5 images (PDF, PNG or JPG).
Exhibition conceptsUp to 5 pages, as a single PDF.

Any link you submit must open without a password and stay live until results are announced.

How entries are judged

Two judges, two lenses.

Social impactA professional from the social impact sector
Creative industriesA professional from the creative industries

The panel's decision is final. Every entrant gets a short note of written feedback after results.

  • Fit to the problem

    Responds to the specific problem and place in the brief, and uses its evidence.

  • Creative quality

    The prototype is well made, original, and likely to hold the attention of the people it's meant for.

  • Feasibility

    A local NGO or council could realistically run it with the time and money described.

  • Likely impact

    A believable link between the work and a change in the problem, and a way to check it.

  • Clarity

    Easy to follow. Someone who has never met you could act on it.

What the winner gets

Your idea, in the right hands.

A formal introduction

YCC forwards your proposal to a relevant local NGO or cultural organization and introduces you directly as its author.

A production grant

Help with materials or equipment access, so you can build the idea out further.

We can't promise the organization will adopt your idea. We can promise the right people will read it, with your name on it.

Pairs share any prize equally and are both credited in the introduction.

Who can take part

  • Enter on your own or as a pair. Teams larger than two aren't accepted.
  • Each person can appear on only one entry per cycle.
  • You don't need to live in the city in the brief, but your proposal must show you understand the place. Talking to people who live there helps a lot.
  • No previous experience in the arts or in social impact work is needed.

Rules of entry

  • All work must be your own and made during the build window.
  • If you use anyone else's music, images or footage, you need the right to use it, and you must credit it.
  • If you used AI tools, say which ones and how in one line at the end of your proposal. It doesn't count toward the page limit.
  • Content must suit a general audience and must not target or mock any group.
  • You keep ownership of your work. YCC may share it with partner organizations and show it on our channels, always credited to you.
Working with real people

Talking to people affected by the problem is encouraged. If you interview, record, film, photograph or quote anyone, get their written consent first, plus a parent or guardian's consent if they're under 18. Take extra care with people who may be vulnerable, and respect a "no". Entries that include real people without consent are disqualified. Ask us for the consent form template.

Questions

Frequently asked.

Can I use more than one art form?

Yes. Several strong ideas will combine forms, such as a song with a poster campaign. Just make sure the prototype shows each part clearly.

Do I need expensive equipment?

No. A phone camera and free editing software are enough.

Can I enter if the problem is in a city I've never been to?

Yes, but your research will need to be stronger. Speaking to even one or two people who live there can make a big difference.

Can I enter every cycle?

Yes. The problem changes every quarter, so each cycle is a new challenge. Past winners are welcome to enter again.

Can I edit my entry after submitting?

You can replace your files any time before the deadline. After the deadline, entries are locked.

Stay in the loop

The first brief drops soon.

Join the Discord or follow us on Instagram and you'll see it the day it goes live.

Questions about the brief or the rules? We aim to reply within two working days.