The Bemis Center for Contemporary Artsrecently partnered with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to offer a new annual prize for Master of Fine Arts graduates.
Adam Price is Executive Director of the Bemis. He says the Center wanted a way to show their support for emerging artists in Nebraska.
Price says though the Bemis is known as internationally-oriented, he says they felt it was important to support the community that supports them.
"And out of those conversations came the idea of working with the MFA program at UNL and offering them an annual prize for one of their graduating students to start their careers by coming to the Bemis for three months and working alongside other artists from around the world.”
Marissa Vigneault, Professor in UNL’s Department of Art and Art History, says students are already excited.
She announced the new prize at the back to semester convocation, and says she’s already received tons of inquiries from students asking her how to apply.
"They know the reputation of the Bemis. It’s a 2% acceptance rate into this residency so they know this is a well-respected line to have on their resume but also an important experience to have. So I’ve gotten crazy, positive feedback from students and from faculty.”
The first award winner will be announced at the annual UNL Department of Art and Art History award ceremony at the end of March 2014.
The residency prize will include three months of self-directed work time, a monthly stipend and a large live/work studio.