education
Scholarships open doors to art
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ccessibility to art education has been an important part of the Worcester Art Museum since its earliest days. In 1898, only six months after the Museum opened its doors, the first class of 30 studio art students sat down for their lessons. At the same time, WAM introduced free evening classes, with some form of tuition relief continuing through the decades. Today our 55 instructors offer dozens of classes every semester, attended by at least 1,200 registered students every year. Thanks to scholarship programs generously supported by both individuals and foundations, 25% of our studio class students attend tuition-free every year.
While most adult and youth scholarships are awarded based on financial need, Ruth Hemenway, studio class programs supervisor, says there are sometimes extenuating circumstances. “We always take children in foster care, regardless of the family’s financial situation, as well as cases of medical necessity, too.” Medical groups—including both hospital and patient support organizations—sometimes refer patients to WAM classes to help recover muscle control or coordination after an accident.
Referrals also come from organizations supporting recent immigrants. “Some of these students were professional artists in their home countries. Some come for the social interaction and a chance to meet others.” Many referrals are received from schools, churches, veteran groups, homeless shelters—as well as from other scholarship students.
As part of the application process, Ruth inquires about interests, goals, and experiences. “Some are very good artists who just can’t afford their own studio. Many are adults who haven’t taken an art class since high school. They raised their families, had their careers, and now are retired and want to start again.” Studio art classes range from introductory lessons to advanced studies in a variety of media. “I look at their strengths, interests, desires, and schedules—then put them where they belong.”
WAM’s current model of need-based scholarships was introduced in the 1970s, after the opening of the Higgins Education Wing. Prior scholarship funding had always come from private donors and funds, most notably the Knowles Memorial Art Fund and the George I. Alden Trust Fund. However, a class sizes continued to grow, it became difficult to provide a proportional number of scholarships.
“This place has genuinely changed my life. Without the Worcester Art Museum...I literally don’t know who I would be.” —Angela Germain, scholarship recipient, who is now a student at Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
During the 1980s, large gifts from several donors allowed the scholarship program to become one of the largest of its kind among art museums nationwide. Thanks to the Hoche-Scofield Fund, the Jacob Hiatt Scholarship Fund, and many private donors, WAM can consistently offer scholarships to all who need them— and keep our classes open to students from all walks of life.
Our program has generated many success stories. Among them is Jarrett J. Krosoczka—local artist, author, and illustrator of Lunch Lady and Star Wars: Jedi Academy fame—who took many classes at the Museum as a young child. He now holds a Sketcha-Thon every year to raise money for the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarship Fund, in honor of his grandparents. Many more students have gone on to attend art school, show their art in galleries, or teach art to children. Perhaps most importantly, about half of scholarship students, especially the younger ones, return year after year to continue working on their art, meeting with their favorite instructors, and simply enjoying the experience. “Our classes help accomplish the Museum’s mission of connecting people, communities, and cultures through the experience of art,” says Hemenway. “They foster a life-long love of art that keeps them coming back.” To donate to our scholarship program, please visit our website (portal.worcesterart.org/give) or email Elizabeth Buck, studio classes manager, at ElizabethBuck@worcesterart.org.
Scholarship Restricted and Endowed Funds Abbie S. and Mildred L. Cather Fund David Freelander Scholarship Fund Edward F. Goggin Fund
Charles A. Hamilton Fund
Edith Florence Hendricks Scholarship Fund Chester D. Heywood Scholarship Fund Jacob Hiatt Scholarship Fund Hoche-Scofield Foundation
Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarship Fund Mary E. and Irene L. Piper Scholarship Fund St. Wulstan Society Fund
Stoddard Charitable Trust
Sudbury Foundation Scholarship Fund Alice Eliza Waite Memorial Fund
Karl B. A. Wass/Lundquist Family Scholarship Fund
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