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Art students viewing and creating their own on artwork

The Annette & Paul Smith Visual Arts Scholarship

To honor and sustain the power of the arts in Omaha, to which Annette and Paul Smith have greatly contributed, this scholarship was established in 2020 is to advance educational opportunities for students from Joslyn Art Museum’s Kent Bellows Mentoring Program who intend to explore career fields in the arts at Metropolitan Community College (MCC). Annette and Paul Smith have been members of the Board of Directors for the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program and Joslyn Art Museum, respectively. This scholarship in their name aptly honors their commitment and support of the arts and art education in Omaha.

Upon entering college at MCC, the awarded student will be provided with $1,000 for tuition and fees. Students at MCC engage in a broad curriculum that begins with art foundations of drawing and design, and narrows to include specialization in the student’s choice among a broad array of media.

This scholarship will be awarded to students who pursue studies in the following majors:

  • Studio art
  • Design, Interactivity & Media Arts: Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration, Web Design, Media Generalist, Motion Graphics, DIMA Entrepreneur
  • Photography
  • Video-Audio Communication Arts

Additionally, students receive an education that guides them in career planning and professional development. Opportunities for coursework in entrepreneurship and business are also encouraged.

Scholarship Eligibility

  • This scholarship is open to high school seniors, juniors, and sophomores who will have participated in the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program for at least two semesters.
  • Applicants must be active in the Program during the semester of application.
  • Applicants must be 16 years of age or older at time of enrollment.

Scholarship Criteria

  • Financial need is not required, but may be considered.
  • Students who will be high school graduates must choose at least part-time enrollment, or a minimum of six credit hours per quarter.
  • Recipients must meet with the Visual Arts Advisor prior to enrollment and once quarterly during subsequent quarters.
  • The Student must take RDLS 1200: College Success Strategies, or ARTS 1050: Creative Careers in the award period.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in art courses and 2.0 in all other courses

Scholarships are usually offered during the spring and fall quarters. Scholarship availability varies depending on donor giving.