Beautiful Minds

Calling All Beautiful Minds

The National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA) is an organization dedicated to fostering an understanding of the vital relationship between creative expression and the quality of life of older people. NCCA has partnered with Martek Biosciences, a company committed to brain health research, to help shine a light on people who are keeping their minds beautiful, and raise awareness of the actions people can take to maintain the most important organ in the body—the brain.

NCCA and Martek are seeking people 55 and over to be featured in a national photo essay exhibit showcasing women and men who are doing beautiful things with their minds without letting age be a barrier. The photo essay exhibit will travel to multiple cities as part of this educational campaign to inspire all Americans to follow suit in maintaining their brain health.

Beautiful Minds candidates who are selected will receive $500 to be given to the nonprofit charity of their choice and a prize package valued at $500.

Nominate by May 13, 2011.

Beautiful Minds Essay Criteria

If you are 55 or over, and have looked at aging as an opportunity to do something extraordinarily beautiful with your mind, you are a good candidate.

Do you or does someone you know:
·	Commit to a healthy lifestyle?
·	Maintain a healthy diet?
·	Engage in intellectual or brain-healthy activities on a daily basis?
·	Take measures to overcome a serious illness through mind, body, spirit and nutritional methods?
·	Receive accolades for work as an educator?
·	Participate in high-impact physical activities, such as running marathons?
·	Have a strong commitment to social well-being and volunteer to help others?

Click here for rules and regulations

Tips on adding pictures or videos to your entry

Images:
Include a personal photo with your entry
·	Select 'Upload a Photo' from the entry form
·	Choose 'Browse' to locate a photo saved on your computer
·	Select the photo you want to share
Note: Images should be clear, focused on the Beautiful Minds candidate (no group shots please), and less than 1MB in size

Video:
Share a video that tells your story
·	Create a short video and upload it to a video website (for example: YouTube or Vimeo)
·	Copy the url address to the video (for example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp1VPhmzQ7Y)
·	Paste the url into the entry form box 'Video Submission or Brief Essay'
Note: Videos should feature the candidate speaking or illustrating how they keep their mind beautiful. Please limit videos to 3 minutes in length.