Summer Arts Institute: Arts and Culture of African, African American, or African Diasporic Communities, 03/03

The David C. Driskell Center for the Study of the African Diaspora at the University of Maryland is hosting its first Summer Arts Institute from June 28 to August 4, 2003, designed primarily for upper class undergraduates intending to pursue a master's of fine arts or doctoral degree in any humanistic field with a focus on the arts and culture of African, African American, or African diasporic communities. The goal of the Institute is to encourage promising students to pursue careers in the arts and study of African diasporic culture.

The Institute will entail five weeks of seminars; hands-on workshops in a range of media (such as visual, musical, or performance arts, video, creative writing, web technologies); visits to local arts and cultural institutions; conversations with accomplished artists and scholars. Students will work on a scholarly or creative project to be shared in a culminating exhibit or roundtable. Participants will receive round trip air travel, a modest stipend, a meal card, appropriate supplies, and access to the UM library, computer labs, and other facilities; they will be housed on the UM campus.

ELIGIBILITY

Upper class undergraduates or the equivalent, and recent graduates (within two years of the BA).

AWARD

Approximately sixteen students will be chosen to participate. They will be provided round trip air travel from their home to the UM campus in College Park, lodging and meals for the duration of the program, access to UM facilities, a stipend.

DEADLINE

The deadline for receipt of all materials and supporting documents is March 21, 2003.

APPLICATION There is no application form. The application consists of 1) a personal statement, 2) an official undergraduate transcript, 3) a 500 - 1000 word project proposal, outlining either a scholarly question of interest or a creative work the applicant wishes to realize, 4) two letters of recommendation, which may be sent separately. The applicant should send also any relevant supporting materials such as slides, a writing sample (not to exceed 3000 words), etc.

Applications should be sent to: The David C. Driskell Center
Attn: Summer Arts Institute Program 2114 Tawes Fine Arts Building University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742

NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE

The Driskell Center will notify those selected for participation in the Institute by April 30, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Please contact Michelle Henderson at the Driskell Center: 301-405-6835 or via email <mlhender@umd.edu>. Please consult our website <www.driskellcenter.umd.edu> for information on the Driskell Center.