community project
Arts festival

Washington Arts and Culture Showcase (WACS)

The Washington Arts and Culture Showcase is an annual cultural initiative presented by Global Elite Arts & Culture Exchange, a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Held in the greater Washington, D.C. region, the Showcase serves as a structured platform for artistic excellence, interdisciplinary performance, and international cultural dialogue. Featuring dance, vocal performance, instrumental music, and multilingual arts, the event brings together emerging artists, educators, and institutions committed to educational integrity and cross-cultural collaboration. As the founding platform for the Washington International Arts Festival, the Showcase reflects a long-term vision to position Washington, D.C. as a regional hub for global arts exchange.

Reviving emotional expression in the Arts, Transforming the Stage into a Platform for Cultural Exchange and Identity.

Showcase Information

The Washington Arts and Culture Showcase (WACS) promotes artistic excellence, aesthetic education, and global citizenship through a professionally structured performance platform.

Event Endorsed by United Nation Education, Science, and Culture Organization, Council of International Dance (UNESCO-CID)  

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Discover
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Explore
Time:
May 30, 2026

Location:
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
4301 East-West Hwy, Bethesda, MD 20814‍Solo/Duet/Trio Performance: 3 mins
Group Performance: 5 minsStudents currently studying the arts are welcome to apply
‍
Performance Categories:
🎻 Instrumental Music
🎤 Vocal Performance
💃 Dance
🎭 Theatrical Performance

Theatrical performances may include:
Speech · Theatre · Standup comedy
Languages can be English or non-English, such as: Chinese · French · Spanish · Latin · and others.
‍
‍Age Requirement:
Open to all ages.

Application Deadline: May 10th
REGISTRATION

Why Participate

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🌍 International Recognition


Supported by the International Dance Council (CID) under the UNESCO framework.
Participant recognitions will be published on the organizer’s official website as part of the festival archive.
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Awards & Performance Documentation


Each participant receives:
• Official trophy
• Recognition certificate
• Professional stage performance recording
• Festival signature wall photo
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Professional Adjudication


Performances will be evaluated by a panel including:
• University arts faculty
• Professional arts organizations
• International arts representatives
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International Cultural Exchange Opportunities


Participants receiving Platinum or Distinguished Recognition may be invited to join future international arts study or cultural exchange programs.
International Extension Pathway
Each framed as developmental milestones rather than “ranking”

Recognition Levels

Gold Recognition

Demonstrates solid technical preparation and stage presence consistent with showcase standards.

Platinum Recognition

Exhibits artistic maturity and performance quality exceeding expectations for the participant’s stage of development.

Distinguished Recognition

Identifies exceptional potential for advanced training, international exposure, or sustained artistic development.

Adjudicators

Professional Artists and college faculties

Susan Shields

Dance Adjudicator

Susan Shields became the Director of the School of Dance once again in June of 2024. She is the recipient of the 2006 Choo-San Goh Award for Choreography, has created dances for numerous professional companies and universities.  Her work appears in the repertoires of Ballet West, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Washington Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Nashville Ballet, American Repertory Ballet, The Juilliard Ensemble, Boston Ballet II, and City Dance Ensemble.

Full Bio

Alice Guo

Theatrical Performance Adjudicator

Alice Guo, the founder president of Impact Speaking Academy since 2013. Alice competed on club, area, division and district levels between 2000-2008 in various international speech contests.  She also served as Club President, Area and Division governor for Toastmasters International. In 2019, Alice resigned from a comfortable corporate job at a Fortune 100 company, in pursuit of classical education for her children and students.

Full Bio

Calvin Evans Jr.

Music Adjudicator

Calvin Evans Jr. is a composer and musicologist based in Northern Virginia. In music
composition, he specializes in chamber music, jazz, and music for visual media. He has
composed music for multiple films, television episodes, and escape room experiences across
America. He was the 1st prize recipient of the 2025 Philip Slates Memorial Competition hosted
by the Southeastern Composers League.

Hornor Wall

Founding Community Recognition

Every inaugural initiative requires vision, trust, and courage. We extend our deepest gratitude to the institutions, guest speakers, community leaders, sponsors, and participants who supported our earliest programs. Their belief in our mission laid the foundation for sustainable global exchange.

Explore

As participants in the inaugural Arts Showcase, student performers, instructors, and participating organizations will be acknowledged on the official website as part of the festival’s historical record.

Rules & Criteria

Download

Global insights

Registration

Application Requirements:

• Invitation-only participation through partner institutions
• No age restriction
• Vocal, instrumental, dance, or multilingual performance (Spanish, French, Latin, Chinese, etc.)

Application Process：
1. Complete the Registration Form.
Fill out the official registration form with all required information.
2. Submit Your Application
Submit the completed Google Form.
3. Complete Payment
Follow the payment instructions provided in the registration form.
4. Email Payment Confirmation
Send your payment confirmation (screenshot or receipt) to:
info@globalelitearts.com
5. Receive Confirmation
Our team will review your submission and confirm your registration within 48 hours.

Documentation Fee:
All fees collected are strictly used to cover stage production and documentation costs Performance Type                                Fee
Solo                                 $140
Duet / Trio                      $80 per
Group Performance     $70 per

The fee covers:
• Venue and stage technical support: Lighting, sound on-site execution
• Basic photography and video
• Documentation: Trophy and certificate
• Adjudication comments
• Festival signature wall photo
• Crowd Management

Online Registration
Partner Institutions

Frequently asked questions

Find clear answers to common inquiries about our programs, events, and participation.

Does the UNESCO-related certification help with college applications?
Will every participant receive an award?
If everyone receives recognition, why participate?
Can students participate if they have limited competition experience?
Can a student perform in multiple categories?
Is participation in the summer international program required?
When do students apply for the summer program?
Can parents attend the event?
Clarification Regarding International Recognition
Regarding College Admissions

Need further assistance? Contact our team.

Contact

Connect with our team

For institutions, educators, and partners. Submit your inquiry below.

Thank you for your inquiry. A member of our team will respond shortly.
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