Art History Undergraduate Awards, Prizes, Scholarships

2022 opportunity TBA coming soon

The John and June Allcott Art & Social Justice Fellowship for summer 2021 offers an opportunity for Studio and Art History students who want to gain experience with social practice and community engagement or to develop a more socially conscious method. The 2021 Allcott Art & Social Justice student fellows will pursue projects at the nexus of art, local history, and social justice, using as their springboard the oral history archives of the Marian Cheek Jackson Center for Oral History Trust in Chapel Hill. Throughout the summer of 2021, students will work towards a creative response to the MCJC’s community-first history site, From the Rock Wall, which offers a “rich, layered, and multi-perspectival view of the historically Black neighborhoods that make up what are currently known as Northside and Pine Knolls in Chapel Hill, NC– areas that emerged as labor enclaves under Jim Crow”. The goal of this socially engaged initiative is to support students in creating social impact projects that help build bridges between and within historically marginalized and underrepresented groups and the wider community.

The proposed art or research project could be socially engaged, education-based, community-integrated, or historically focused, but should emphasize a creative engagement of the histories and cultures of local communities by utilizing the oral archive as research or influence. The completed project should focus on demonstrating the value of art-based interventions and creative strategies for promoting social and racial justice.

Amount of the Award:

Two fellowships of $3,500 each, one for Studio and one for Art History, will be awarded to support the pursuit and development of this project. The nature of the proposed engagement with the archives is flexible but requires attending two workshops hosted by the Carolina Center for Public Service during the 2021 Spring semester. These will help fellows develop their projects and obtain new skills and strategies to link their academic endeavors to making a difference in communities across North Carolina. Project work may be pursued at any time from selection to the day before the 2021 Fall semester begins.

Eligibility:

Currently enrolled UNC-Chapel Hill Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors* are eligible to apply, but preference will be given to majors and minors in the Department of Art and Art History. All applicants must have taken a course in the Department of Art and Art History. *Seniors are eligible if they are returning for the fall 2021 semester.

Terms of the Award:

Fellows will be expected to:

1. Be enrolled at UNC-Chapel Hill for the Fall 2021 semester.
2. Use the award by the end of Summer 2021 as described in their project proposal.
3. Present a written and oral report in the 2022 Spring semester after the completion of the project.
4. Present the outcome of the project in a 10-15 minute presentation at the Department of Art and Art History Honors Symposium (TBD) in the 2022 Spring semester.

Basis for Selection:

The Department of Art and Art History will coordinate a Selection Committee comprised of Studio and Art History Faculty, a member of the Carolina Center for Public Service, and/or an affiliate of the Marian Cheek Jackson Center. The best candidates are those who indicate their interest in a community-based project that is tied to their personal and career aspirations. Artistic or community motivation as a learning experience and excitement about the project are also significant factors in the proposal. Strong consideration will be given to candidates whose university records demonstrate academic rigor and who are from underrepresented backgrounds in North Carolina or the Campus community, as well as those who plan on remaining in the Chapel Hill area during the summer of 2021. Proposed projects will need to follow MCJC ethics and serve the mission of the organization.

Projects should be well-considered and researched for feasibility in scope and budget. Students should identify a faculty mentor who will support the student during the course of the project. The Selection Committee will also take into consideration the student’s financial needs to pursue the project. Fellows will be selected in March of 2021.

Application Process:

Students should apply by submitting an application, project proposal, and a project budget to Mario Marzan, mmarzan@email.unc.edu, by March 1, 2021, 4:00 pm.

Allcott Fellowship Application 2021 Extended

The proposal must not exceed 1,000 words describing the following:

1. Motivation for pursuing fellowship.
2. Plan for working with the oral archives.
3. Preliminary research and implementation plan.

The project budget can include any of the following costs:

1. Materials and supplies.
2. Production costs including printing or framing costs.
3. Fees or stipends to community members.
4. Fees for contracted work.
5. Stipend to artist of up to $500.
6. Transportation.

The John and June Allcott Undergraduate Travel Fellowship enables two students–one in art history and one in studio art–to travel in pursuit of an independent, career-related project within the United States or Abroad during the summer.

Eligibility:

Currently enrolled UNC-Chapel Hill Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors* are eligible to apply, but preference may be given to majors in the Department of Art and Art History and to juniors. All applicants must have taken courses in the Department of Art and Art History. Students are encouraged to work with a faculty advisor in the Department in preparing their application.

*Seniors are eligible if they are returning for the fall 2023 semester.

Amount of the Awards:

Two fellowships of $4000 each are awarded.

Terms of Award:

Applicants must be available for interviews at UNC-Chapel Hill on Monday, April 20th, 2023.

Fellows will be expected to:

1. Be enrolled at UNC-Chapel Hill for the fall 2023 semester.
2. Use the award during the summer of 2023 as described in their project proposal.
3. Present a written and oral report in the spring semester (2024) after their return.

Basis for Selection:

The Department of Art and Art History coordinates a Selection Committee that will select finalists for interviews. The best candidates are those who indicate their interest in an independent study project that is tied to their personal and career aspirations. Motivation for travel-study as a learning experience and excitement about the project are also significant factors. Strong consideration will be given to candidates whose university records demonstrate academic rigor. Projects should be well-considered and researched for feasibility and cost factors. The Selection Committee will also take into consideration a student’s financial needs to pursue the project.

Application Process:

Application forms are available in the Undergraduate Policies, Procedures, and Resources section of the Department of Art and Art History website.

Deadline:

Completed applications must be submitted to the Department of Art and Art History Office, Hanes Art Center 101, by 4:00 PM, Monday, April 10th, 2023.

Depending on the number of applications, semi-finalists will be announced and contacted to schedule an interview with the Selection Committee. Interviews will take place on Monday, April 17th, 2023.