FROM THE ARCHIVES TO THE MIC
HIP HOP SONGWRITING COMPETITION
presented by the Reece Museum
Competition Purpose:
Presented by the Reece Museum, the Black American Studies Program and the Institute of Appalchian Music and Culture, From the Archives to the Mic invites artists to create an original hip hop song using one of four approved tracks developed from historic recordings located in the Archives of Appalachia (AoA).
The competition extends the Reece Museum’s commitment to showcasing Appalachia's diversity and cultural inclusivity. By bringing historical recordings into contemporary creative expression, the museum gives artists and audiences a space to explore connections among archives, history, sampling, songwriting, and hip hop.
Participants are encouraged to engage thoughtfully with the people, places, and cultural traditions represented in their selected recording while contributing their own stories and perspectives.
All entries due by Tuesday, October 27. The winner will notified by Friday, October 30. The winning artist(s) will perform their track on Thursday, November 5 during the Reece Museum’s Hip Hop History Celebration.
--ENTRY FORM--
Approved Tracks & Archival Sources: Downloads available here. Individual track downlods below.
Cinema: Disc 261 Side A, “Jesus walking through the land” — Congregation of the Church of the Ten Elders; recorded by Mary Elizabeth Barnicle at Pineville, Kentucky, January 1938.
Down Bad: Disc 11 Side A-2, “He’s a dying bed maker” — John Davis and group; recorded by Mary Elizabeth Barnicle, Alan Lomax, and Zora Neale Hurston at Frederica, St. Simons Island, Georgia, June 1935.
Favored: Disc 1 Side A-2, “Sweet Liza Jane” — unidentified girls; recorded by Mary Elizabeth Barnicle, Alan Lomax, and Zora Neale Hurston at Frederica, St. Simons Island, Georgia, June 1, 1935.
Ring a Ding: Disc 2 Side A, “Rise, Sally rise” — unidentified girls; recorded by Mary Elizabeth Barnicle, Alan Lomax, and Zora Neale Hurston at Frederica, St. Simons Island, Georgia, June 1, 1935.
Eligibility & Submission Requirements
1. Create an original hip hop song using one of the four approved competition tracks.
2. Use the provided instrumental/sample as a meaningful element of the finished song.
3. Recommended song length: 2–5 minutes.
4. Submit original lyrics written by the contestant. Collaborations may be permitted, but all contributors must be identified.
5. Do not add unauthorized copyrighted samples, beats, or recordings beyond materials specifically approved for the competition.
6. Submissions must be suitable for presentation at a university/community public event.
7. Include a 100–200-word artist statement identifying the selected track, explaining the song’s inspiration, and describing how the archival material influenced the work.
8. Submit the final recording and a written copy of the lyrics by October 27 using this form.
Judging Rubric — 100 Points
Category Points What Judges Consider
Originality & Creativity: Original concept, lyrics, flow, storytelling, and creative approach. 25 points
Use of Archival Sample: How effectively, intentionally, and creatively the archival-based track is incorporated. 20 points
Lyrics & Songwriting: Wordplay, structure, message, storytelling, rhyme, and lyrical development. 20 points
Connection to History & Culture: Evidence that the artist considered the history, people, place, or cultural context connected to the source material. 15 points
Performance & Delivery: Flow, timing, vocal presence, energy, and relationship to the beat. 10 points
Overall Impact: Memorability, emotional impact, cohesion, and effectiveness as a complete hip hop song. 10 points
TOTAL 100
Finalist Presentation
Finalists may be invited to perform or present their songs during the Reece Museum’s Hip Hop History Celebration. Each finalist may be asked to briefly introduce the archival source and explain how it influenced the finished song.
Through these presentations, the Reece Museum connects historical collections with contemporary artists and community audiences. Each song becomes an opportunity to explore how historical voices and cultural traditions can inspire new forms of storytelling.
Prize & Sponsorship
Current sponsor contribution: A $100 gift certificate from Laced Up Cuts and Kicks.
Additional sponsors may be invited to support first-place, second-place, third-place, and/or People’s Choice awards. Possible additional prizes include studio time, photography or video services, performance opportunities, barber services, merchandise, or other donated awards.
Additional awards will be announced as sponsorships are confirmed.
Rights & Use of Materials
Contest organizers should provide participants with clear written authorization identifying the specific competition tracks and archival materials they may use. Participants should not assume that a recording is copyright-free solely because of its age.
Any submission/release agreement should also explain how submitted songs, performances, photographs, and recordings may be presented, promoted, archived, or otherwise used in connection with the Reece Museum’s Hip Hop History Celebration.
Suggested Tiebreaker
If two entries receive the same total score, the higher score in Connection to History & Culture will serve as the first tiebreaker, followed by Originality & Creativity.
From Archives to the Mic is presented by the Reece Museum, featuring tracks developed from historic recordings held by the Archives of Appalachia, Prize support provided by Laced Up Cuts and Kicks
STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD-REECE
SABR, the only museum student organization on campus, fosters connections between the ETSU student body and the Reece Museum through the collaborative development of student-focused museum programming. All ETSU students are eligible to join!
• Create Museum-Related Events for the Student Body
• Be involved with Regional & State Museum Organizations
• Gain Hands-On Experience with Museum Artifacts and Curation
• Provide a Student Voice to the Museum Committees
• Engage with Museum Professionals
• Network & Explore the Museum Field as a Career
For more information visit the SABR page on Buc-Hub! or contact SABR Chair, Margaret Johnson.
SABR Staff Advisors: Spenser Brenner and Savannah Bennett.
INTERNSHIPS
The Reece Museum offers internships for both undergraduate and graduate students interested in gaining hands-on training in the museum profession and a comprehensive overview of museum operations. As an intern, you may focus on one of the following areas: Visitor Services, Exhibitions, Collections, or Special Projects. To apply, send your resume and a cover letter describing the type of experience you seek to proffittrj@etsu.edu .
STUDENT WORK OPPORTUNITIES
Summer 2026
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Visitor Services & Marketing Assistant 1 (Museum Assistant; FWS; Job Id: 5008)
Responsible to the Reece Museum Director
Direct Supervisor – Education Curator
The Reece Museum seeks creative, organized, and personable applicants for the Visitor Services and Marketing Assistant role. This position supports the daily operations of the Reece Museum, assisting the Education Curator with front-desk management and the development of print, digital, and social marketing materials. Interest and experience in graphic design, art, history, or a related field is highly valued.
Key Responsibilities
Visitor Services: Warmly greets and orients visitors, providing information about current exhibitions and answering their questions.
Front Desk Operations: Completes daily opening and closing tasks, responds to phone inquiries, and performs routine gallery maintenance and safety checks.
Administrative: Oversees visitor count and data collection, maintaining an archive of these records and tracking visitation growth.
Social Media: Assist in social media content development, highlighting Museum exhibitions, events, collections, and announcements.
Marketing: Assist with graphic design of collateral, including flyers, posters, and advertisements.
Photography: Photograph events, exhibitions, artifacts, and artworks for social media and archival purposes.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to assist in content creation and visitor interfacing.
Organizational Skills: Strong attention to detail for managing inventory and administrative tasks.
Preferred Skills and Qualifications
Experience: Previous experience in art gallery/museum or customer service setting is preferred.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, photography, and graphic design is preferred.
Schedule Flexibility: This role occasionally requires working weekends and evenings to accommodate museum receptions and events.
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Visitor Services & Marketing Assistant 2 (Museum Assistant; FWS; Job Id: 5008)
Responsible to the Reece Museum Director
Direct Supervisor – Education Curator
The Reece Museum seeks creative, organized, and personable applicants for the Visitor Services and Marketing Assistant role. This position supports the daily operations of the Reece Museum, assisting the Education Curator with front-desk management and the development of print, digital, and social marketing materials. Interest and experience in graphic design, art, history, or a related field is highly valued.
Key Responsibilities
Visitor Services: Warmly greets and orients visitors, providing information about current exhibitions and answering their questions.
Front Desk Operations: Completes daily opening and closing tasks, responds to phone inquiries, and performs routine gallery maintenance and safety checks.
Administrative: Oversees visitor count and data collection, maintaining an archive of these records and tracking visitation growth.
Social Media: Assist in social media content development, highlighting Museum exhibitions, events, collections, and announcements.
Marketing: Assist with graphic design of collateral, including flyers, posters, and advertisements.
Photography: Photograph events, exhibitions, artifacts, and artworks for social media and archival purposes.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to assist in content creation and visitor interfacing.
Organizational Skills: Strong attention to detail for managing inventory and administrative tasks.
Preferred Skills and Qualifications
Experience: Previous experience in art gallery/museum or customer service setting is preferred.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, photography, and graphic design is preferred.
Schedule Flexibility: This role occasionally requires working weekends and evenings to accommodate museum receptions and events.
Fall 2026
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Exhibition Archival Technician (Reece Museum Assistant; APS; Job Id 4891)
Responsible to the Reece Museum Director
Direct Supervisor – Exhibition Coordinator
Primary duties are organizing and digitizing physical 35mm slides, negatives, or photo prints into high-resolution digital files using specialized scanners and software. The Exhibition Archival Technician preps, scans, and performs quality control on images, ensuring accurate color, orientation, and resolution. Secondary duties include photography, historic file organization and research.
Key Responsibilities
Scanning Operation: Operate flatbed to convert slides into digital formats.
Preparation & Handling: Clean, inspect, and organize physical slides, often handling fragile materials with care.
Quality Control: Review digital images for color accuracy, focus, orientation, and resolution.
Data Management: Rename files, assign metadata, and transfer images to storage devices or cloud systems.
Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance and calibration on scanning equipment.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Attention to Detail: High capability to spot, fix, or report dust, scratches, or color issues in images.
Technical Proficiency: Comfort with computers, file management, and photo editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop).
Efficiency: Ability to work quickly and maintain high-volume production quotas.
Organization: Strong organizational skills to manage large volumes of physical media and corresponding digital files.
Physical Requirements
Stationary Work: Frequent sitting or standing at a workstation for long periods.
Manual Dexterity: Ability to handle small, delicate slides, and light lifting (e.g., up to 40 pounds).
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Exhibition Gallery Assistant (Museum Assistant; FWS; Job Id 5749)
Responsible to the Reece Museum Director
Direct Supervisor – Exhibition Coordinator
The Exhibition Gallery Assistant supports the daily operations of the Reece Museum, assisting the Exhibition Coordinator in the installation, care, and maintenance of exhibitions in the museum’s gallery spaces. Key responsibilities include, managing inventory, assisting with exhibition development, exhibition installations/ de-installations, and assisting in facilitating events. Secondary duties include visitor services and reception on occasion/ during events.
Key Responsibilities
Exhibition Support: Assist with exhibition installation, de-installation, packing, shipping, and handling artworks and artifacts. Exhibition Gallery Assistant will also assist in other aspects of exhibition work including matting, framing, label making, lighting, and signage prep.
Maintenance & Security: Assist in the keeping the galleries and exhibition prep spaces (shop, frame room, pedestal room, and work room) clean, organized, and secure during shifts.
Administrative Support: Assist with exhibition filing and data analysis (visitor count, exhibition numbers break-downs.)
Marketing & Events: Assist with set up and facilitation of Museum receptions, special events.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to assist in content creation for exhibitions.
Organizational Skills: Strong attention to detail for managing inventory and administrative tasks.
Schedule: This role occasionally requires working weekends and evenings to accommodate museum receptions and events.
Preferred Skills and Qualifications
Experience: Previous experience in art gallery/museum setting, manufacturing/ construction, and/or fine art framing is highly valued.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe creative Suite is preferred. Experience with hand tools and crafting supplies is highly valued. Able to handle minor repairs and maintenance to gallery walls and museum display furniture (spackling, sanding, painting, etc.)
Physical Requirements
Physical Stamina: Ability to stand for long periods and assist with lifting/moving artwork and artifacts, often up to 40 lbs.
Typical Working Conditions: This role often requires working in installation/ construction areas requiring appropriate attire (comfortable clothes that may get dirt/paint on them.) The role involves the use of ladders and knowledge of/ a willingness to learn how to safely use equipment and tools is necessary.
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Visitor Services & Marketing Assistant (Museum Assistant; FWS; Job Id 5749)
Responsible to the Reece Museum Director
Direct Supervisor – Education Curator
The Reece Museum seeks creative, organized, and personable applicants for the Visitor Services and Marketing Assistant role. This position supports the daily operations of the Reece Museum, assisting the Education Curator with front-desk management and the development of print, digital, and social marketing materials. Interest and experience in graphic design, art, history, or a related field is highly valued.
Key Responsibilities
Visitor Services: Warmly greets and orients visitors, providing information about current exhibitions and answering their questions.
Front Desk Operations: Completes daily opening and closing tasks, responds to phone inquiries, and performs routine gallery maintenance and safety checks.
Administrative: Oversees visitor count and data collection, maintaining an archive of these records and tracking visitation growth.
Social Media: Assist in social media content development, highlighting Museum exhibitions, events, collections, and announcements.
Marketing: Assist with graphic design of collateral, including flyers, posters, and advertisements.
Photography: Photograph events, exhibitions, artifacts, and artworks for social media and archival purposes.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to assist in content creation and visitor interfacing.
Organizational Skills: Strong attention to detail for managing inventory and administrative tasks.
Preferred Skills and Qualifications
Experience: Previous experience in art gallery/museum or customer service setting is preferred.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, photography, and graphic design is preferred.
Schedule Flexibility: This role occasionally requires working weekends and evenings to accommodate museum receptions and events.
RESEARCH AWARD ENDOWMENT:
Scholarship Amount: Up to $1,000
Eligibility: Applicants must be full-time students of ETSU, and preference will be given to those who are currently enrolled in heritage interpretation and museum studies, Art History, or other relevant programs.
Scholarship funds will be awarded to students who provide a research-based deliverable that furthers the Reece Museum’s mission to serve the Appalachian region through exhibitions, collections, and community engagement.
Selected recipients may continue to apply for future awards, as long as they continue to meet eligibility requirements.
Outcome: The successful candidate will propose an achievable and well-articulated project, and will submit copies of any research paper, project, or publication that is funded through this scholarship. The museum may exhibit work, publish digital media, or develop educational content using the project deliverables.
We welcome creativity and value projects that further the museum’s educational goals. Material culture artifacts are historical documents, and this scholarship provides space for emerging museum professionals to study and engage with the museum’s distinguished permanent collection and/or gain experience as an exhibitor in a museum setting.
Timeline: Applications will be accepted January 29 – March 1, 2026
Applicants will be notified of the Scholarship Committee’s decision by April 1, 2026
Research projects must be completed and submitted to the director of the Reece Museum by December 11, 2026. Exhibitions must be scheduled with the exhibition coordinator and installed during the 2026 academic year.
Application: Please log in with your ETSU credentials to complete the application at Reece Museum Research Award Endowment Applications Accepted through March 1 – Fill out form