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Scholarship & Studio Assistant Information
Summer, 2008

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Work-study job descriptions and sample schedules

Each year, about 40 percent of Penland’s students receive financial assistance. Penland offers financial assistance in four categories:

Although scholarship selection is made after the lottery, some spaces are reserved in each class for scholarship students. Scholarships are intended for students who would have difficulty attending Penland without financial assistance. You may not apply as a full-paying student if you are applying for a scholarship. If you are not selected, you may reapply as a full-paying student if space is available.

Applications for scholarships and studio assistantships (including letters of reference) must be received by February 25; applicants will be notified by March 28.


Work-Study Scholarships

Work-study students are an integral part of life at Penland. This program is supported by annual fund gifts, foundations, the sale of work donated to end-of-session auctions, the Alvin Lehman Foundation Fund, the Windgate Charitable Foundation, the Claire Lucas Fund, and Penland’s general operating budget. The work-study program is designed to make Penland’s classes available to the widest variety of students. Work-study students accept the challenge of balancing studio time with work for the school.

International students note: because the U.S. government considers our work-study scholarship program to be work for hire, students who are not U.S. citizens may not receive work-study scholarships unless they have a work permit. International students may apply for the full scholarships that have no work requirement.

Work-study students work 20–25 hours per week on a variety of service tasks, usually cleaning, food service support, and dishwashing. All work-study students are given a schedule on the first day and generally work part of each day during the session as well as a full day before and after the session. The work is manual labor and the schedule, while reasonable, requires work-study students to carefully balance their time and energy between the studio and their work obligation.

Work-study students receive dormitory housing. Dormitories are large, open, common living areas accommodating up to 13 students.

If you have physical limitations, please send a separate note explaining what kinds of work you are able to do. This will not factor into selection, but will help us with work assignments if you are selected.

Work-study students are required to work from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the day before and the day after their session. You are responsible for making travel arrangements which will allow you to meet this requirement. If you cannot meet this requirement, please do not apply.

Your letter of application should be no longer than two pages and should address the following areas:

Financial need: Why attending Penland would be a financial hardship for you.

Seriousness of intent: Your background and experience in craft, if any (prior experience in craft is not a requirement). The individual artistic goals you hope to pursue in each of the classes you are applying for.

Work ethic: Work-study students have an experience which is different from yet equally valuable to that of regular students. Do you feel you are capable of balancing studio work with physical labor for the school?

You will also need to supply a resumé and two letters of reference which address your work ethic and your commitment to learning.

Applications must be received no later than February 25, and must include your letters of reference. After this deadline, applicants will be considered only in the event of cancellations. Work-study students will be notified by the end of March and once accepted will be asked to submit full payment.

Special Work-Study

There are twenty-eight special work-study scholarships available. These scholarships carry the same work requirement as regular work-study, however they cover all room, board, and tuition. They target students with exceptional talent and financial need and some have no other requirement. Specific information about the different special work-study scholarships is here.

To apply for special work-study, send all the materials required for general work study plus five printed images (maximum size 8-1/2 x 11, no slides or CDs) of your work even if it is not in the same media as the class you are applying to take. Check the special work-study box on the application form.

Most of these scholarships are awarded based on exceptional talent and financial need with no other qualifications. Some of these scholarships have particular qualifications in addition to exceptional talent and financial need. If you meet any of the following qualifications, please include this information in your letter.

Students applying for special work-study are encouraged to also apply for general work-study. You will be considered for the most advantageous scholarships first.

Full Scholarships

There are twenty full scholarships available. These scholarships cover room, board, and tuition with no work requirement. These target students with exceptional talent and financial need and a number of them have no other requirement. Specific information about the different full scholarships is here.

To apply for a full scholarship, include a letter explaining your financial need and your interest in the class(es) you are applying for, a resumé, two letters of recommendation and five printed images (maximum size 8-1/2 x 11, no slides or CDs) of your work even if it is not in the same media as the class you are applying to take. Check the full scholarship box on the application form.

Most of these scholarships are awarded based on exceptional talent and financial need with no other qualifications. Some of these scholarships have particular qualifications in addition to exceptional talent and financial need. If you meet any of the following qualifications, include this information in your letter.

Students applying for full scholarships are encouraged to also apply for general work-study. You will be considered for the most advantageous scholarships first.

Teacher Training Scholarship
There is one full scholarship for a teacher taking a teacher training class. In summer of 2008, it is only available to teachers applying for the fourth session class titled You Are Here: Mapping Our Stories. To apply, include a letter explaining your financial need and your interest in the class, a resumé, and two letters of recommendation. Check the teacher training scholarship box on the application form.

Other Scholarships

Furniture Society and Powermatic Student Workshop Scholarship
Funded by Powermatic in partnership with The Furniture Society, this scholarship supports Furniture Society members who are currently enrolled in a full-time educational program or in an apprenticeship program of six months or longer and wish to take a one-, two-, or eight-week workshop at Penland or several other schools. Application and selection is through The Furniture Society. The deadline is March 1, 2008. Complete information available here.

The Steele-Reese Scholarship Fund
 Established by the Steele-Reese Foundation, this endowment fund provides one full scholarship for an art education student at East Tennessee State University and one full scholarship for an art education student at Appalachian State University. Contact Wayne Dyer at ETSU or Dr. Eric Purves at ASU.

The Antony Swider Scholarship
 This scholarship, for art teachers residing in Forsyth County, NC is administered by the Winston-Salem Foundation; contact Jan Detter, 336-778-2181.

William R. Keenan Jr. Fellowships
Funded annually by the Kenan Institute for the Arts to provide Penland scholarships for alumni of the North Carolina School of the Arts visual arts program. More information here.

Studio Assistantships

Studio assistants are students who work for Penland assisting instructors and fellow students and are responsible for maintaining the school’s standards for studio operation. Assistants receive housing and meals, and pay only the $45 nonrefundable processing fee. Assistants are selected based on their knowledge of a working studio. In addition to 25–40 hours of work each week, studio assistants are required to work from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the day before and the day after their session. You are responsible for making travel arrangements which will allow you to meet this requirement. If you cannot meet this requirement, please do not apply. Many instructors select their own assistants; call Penland or check our website to determine availability of positions before applying. Send a letter explaining your experience in the field and your interest in the class along with a resumé, two letters of recommendation, and five printed images of your work (maximum size 8-1/2 x 11, no slides or CDs).

Applications must be received by February 25, and must include letters of reference. Applicants will be notified by March 28.

Penland Registration Information