Event-Wide Content Standards
(All Programs)
Applies to:
Visual art, performances, music/lyrics, multimedia, costumes, choreography, vendor booths, signage, handouts, merch, sponsor materials, and all pre-event promotion (web/social/email).
1) Purpose: A Safe, Family-Friendly Space
We’re building a community event where everyone—kids, teens, and adults—feels welcome, respected, and safe. Clear standards:
protect youth and families,
keep the environment positive and inclusive,
allow us to showcase uplifting, helpful work, products, and services, and
make it easy for schools, families, and partners to participate confidently.
2) Core Principles
- Family-friendly: Suitable for all ages.
- Respectful: No degrading or dehumanizing content.
- Uplifting & helpful: Spotlight creativity, community, education, health, entrepreneurship, and positive culture.
- Legal & compliant: Follow all laws and venue rules—no age-restricted promotions.
- Consistency: The same standards apply to every medium and channel.
3) Standards for Content & Presentation
A) Language, Lyrics, and Spoken Word
- No profanity, slurs, hate speech, or harassment.
- No sexually explicit or suggestive content.
- No graphic or glorified violence; no threats or intimidation.
- No promotion of illegal activity.
Important: A “clean”/radio edit (bleeps/censors) does not make a piece acceptable if the overall theme remains sexual, violent, or otherwise inappropriate. The full context must be family-friendly.
B) Visuals, Costumes, Choreography
- No nudity, sheer or overly revealing attire; avoid sexually suggestive movement/gestures.
- No visuals that depict or promote sexual content, drug/alcohol/tobacco use, hate symbols, or graphic violence.
- Backdrops, projections, reels, slideshows, booth displays, banners, and table setups must meet the same standard.
C) Products, Services, Vendors, and Sponsors
- Prohibited promotions: marijuana/cannabis/THC/CBD, alcohol, tobacco, vaping, or related paraphernalia—even if legal for adults.
- No adult/sexual products or services.
- No illegal or unsafe goods/services.
- Encouraged: education, health & wellness, youth programs, financial literacy, arts & culture, career pathways, community services, local small businesses, and positive family resources.
D) Tone & Conduct
- No vulgarity or disrespect toward the venue, community, cultural values, or other participants.
- Professional, courteous behavior with staff, volunteers, and attendees.
4) Accessibility & Inclusion (Brief)
- Use clear, inclusive language.
- Avoid graphic content or themes that could reasonably distress all-ages audiences.
- When relevant, provide brief, neutral context for sensitive historical topics and keep visuals age-appropriate.
5) Submission, Review, and Changes
- Everything is reviewed: artwork images, audio tracks/lyrics, scripts, visuals, slides, social posts, booth mockups, and sponsor materials.
- Deadlines: Submit by the stated deadline. Late changes (tracks, visuals, costumes, choreo, signage, offers) must be re-approved.
- Approval may include required edits, substitutions, or placement changes.
6) Enforcement
- If content doesn’t meet standards, organizers may require edits, remove items/signage, alter the run-of-show, or stop a performance.
- Non-compliance can result in ejection without refund and may affect future participation.
- Organizers’ decisions are final to maintain a safe, family-friendly environment.
7) Why These Standards Matter
- Safety & trust: Families, schools, and partners attend when they know the space is appropriate.
- Access & belonging: Clear guardrails invite wider participation across ages and backgrounds.
- Community impact: We amplify legal, positive, and helpful offerings that strengthen our neighborhoods.
8) Examples (Quick Guide)
- Uplifting songs/poems; modest costumes; dance without sexual gestures.
Art about culture, resilience, community, or history (age-appropriate depictions).
- Vendors offering education, wellness, youth programs, financial services, local crafts, books, family resources.
Not OK:
- Songs with sexual themes (even censored), violent/brutal content, or drug/alcohol hype.
- Costumes/poses meant to be provocative; explicit choreography.
- Booths/signs promoting cannabis, alcohol, vaping/tobacco, adult products, or illegal services.
- Visuals with gore, hate symbols, or sexually explicit imagery.
9) Acknowledgment (use on forms/contracts)
“I have read and agree to the Event-Wide Content Standards. I will submit materials for review, make requested edits, and understand that non-compliance may result in removal or cancellation without refund. I understand that cannabis/alcohol/tobacco/vaping promotions are not permitted.”