Kaempfer Summer Art Grant

The Kaempfer Summer Art Grant, supported by the Kaempfer Fund, provides financial assistance for summer student projects within the Visual Arts Department at Bowdoin College.

The grant is intended to encourage students to work independently with advice from a faculty member to execute a long-term studio project outside of the context of the classroom. The grant awards up to $1,000 to allay expenses, such as supplies and travel, associated with the project. The funds will not be used to provide a stipend.

Awarding of grants each year is contingent upon the availability of Kaempfer Funds.

Summer 2023
April 2023
Application Deadline
April 2023
Awardees Announced

Eligibility

Only returning students are eligible to apply.

Selection

A committee comprised of the current studio faculty and the Visual Arts Department Chair will review the applications. Selection criteria for an award includes the proposal’s effective articulation of central questions driving the project, a full consideration of the specific ways the student intends to explore these questions, and the feasibility of completing the proposed project during the summer. Applications should indicate technical proficiency in relevant media and the proposal should indicate how access to any necessary resources or facilities might be obtained. Proposals should be as detailed and clear as possible and emphasize an exploration of stated themes.

Requirements

Grant recipients are required to:

  • Prepare a fall exhibit of their summer work in the Edwards Center for Art and Dance.
  • Give a public presentation about the project during the fall semester.
  • Turn in a paragraph about the project and web-ready photographs for the Visual Arts department website.

Application Process

Please submit the following materials for consideration:
  1. Narrative proposal, no more than 1,500 words in length, outlining:
    • topic or problem to be examined
    • student's background on the proposed project
    • methods to be used
    • identification of a faculty advisor
    • expected outcome by summer’s end
  2. Proposed budget, as detailed as possible, outlining intended use of funds (rounded to the nearest $10.00).
  3. Link to an online portfolio of 20 images (Picasa, Blogspot, Flickr, etc.) to allow the committee to familiarize itself with the student’s previous studio work.
  4. A brief note from a faculty member stating a willingness to oversee the project during the summer (may be sent directly to the committee).

Applications that fail to include all required material will not be considered.

Email applications to the Visual Arts Department Coordinator (g.edwards@bowdoin.edu) by 5:00 pm on the application deadline.