In The Room - PA Humanities

The submission period is now CLOSED.

Imagine if the concept “nothing about us, without us” were true about the US Constitution.

Think about it… how different would our nation’s governing document be if YOU were in the room where it happened? What would you change? What would you add or delete?

In honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of our country, PA Humanities invited you to consider the US Constitution and its impact on your life and community, and create a video, drawing, photograph or poem about what you would change if you took part in its creation.

This initiative was open to Pennsylvania residents between the ages of 16-22.

Selected submissions were included in a short film.

10 participants were invited to attend a curated educational experience, including two tickets to Hamilton on Broadway, to see the room where it happened.

Here’s How It Worked

1. Choose a prompt:

Imagine you were in the room where it happened…

• Who would you bring to the table (past, present, future) to write the Constitution? Where would you meet? What would the gathering look like, feel like, sound like?

• How would you change the Constitution? What amendment would you change or take away? What amendment would you add?

• What does the Constitution mean to you?

2. Pick a format to respond

• Video- Submit up to 1 minute of video recorded on your phone or computer. Must NOT include copyrighted music/content.

• Creative with caption-Draw a picture, take a photograph, write a poem. Must include accompanying text to explain (100 word limit.)

3. Submit your response between May 1st through July 31st 2022

Submissions will be reviewed and considered for inclusion in a short film. Ten submissions will be recognized for their creativity and content and will be awarded two tickets to see the musical Hamilton on Broadway (NYC) and up to $250 in travel funds. Selected submissions will be announced on August 15, 2022.

Please read the Official Rules for full details.

Participants are encouraged to share their entries on social media! Please include a PA Humanities mention, an #InTheRoom hashtag, and a link to this page. Note: to qualify for tickets to Hamilton, all entries shared online must also be submitted through the below form.

Help us promote this project in your community, school, or elsewhere by sharing this page and/or distributing our informational flier.

THE SUBMISSION PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED.

We believe the humanities in action are a tool for civic engagement and leadership, through education, critical reflection, storytelling and dialogue. Centering marginalized voices, including those of young people, is how we counter dominant narratives and create equitable futures. The challenges young people face today are impacted by the decisions of our past.

We can all learn from the vision, creativity, and courage young leaders have to understand the past and shape our collective future.

If You Were In The Room has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of the A More Perfect Union initiative. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or PA Humanities.