September 30 - Reed T. Cooper Bursary Deadline

The Reed T. Cooper Bursary in Visual Arts is here to support local artists

A reminder that the deadline for applications is September 30 (or earlier). Now is the time to work on your submissions!!

Please note that artists are now required to submit FOUR copies of their application and supporting material in order to be considered for the Bursary.

For more information:

Visit the Dufferin Arts Council website at www.dufferinartscouncil.com. On the website you will find an Information Sheet about the Bursary, as well as a simple Application Form that you can print off and complete.

Contact Arnold DeGraaff with any questions you may have: 519-942-3283 or degraaff-reitsma@sympatico.ca.

2013 DAC Scholarship and Bursary Winners

Each year the distibution of scholarship and bursary dollars has its own flavour, and this year again presented its own challenges. Though the Endowment Fund is healthy, the investment climate remains weak. However, the numbers, needs and qualities of our applicants are strong indeed. We are awarding funds to no fewer than nine deserving applicants, a few of whom we have assisted before.

Congratulations to another outstanding slate of talented young arts scholars:

Aaron Bosnjak, a Centre Dufferin grad and previous DAC scholarship recipient, has just completed a successful first year at OCAD University experimenting with digital media. His focus has been on art and creative invention in the digital age, and his projects this year included a theme music generator, game design and an apocalyptic comic. Aaron would eventually like to find an internship or position with an independent software/game development firm. He will receive a Continuing Education Scholarship in Visual Arts.

Coulter Baker, who has been wholly home-schooled, was last year’s recipient of the George Shepherd Bursary. He has had a tremendously successful year in Art Fundamentals at the Oakville campus of Sheridan College, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Things have gone so well that he has been accepted into an exciting new limited-enrolment degree course in Gaming Design. Coulter will also receive a Continuing Education Scholarship in Visual Arts.

Rebecca Postma of Centre Dufferin, whom many of you have had the pleasure of hearing perform, is another of our previous scholarship recipients. Never one to rest for long, she continues to study privately, honing both her vocal and piano skills. In the fall, she will again be working on her performance degree at Wilfred Laurier University, specializing in both opera and oratorial repertoire. Rebecca will receive a Continuing Education Scholarship in Music.

Richard Revie is a current graduate of Centre Dufferin and has already had considerable artistic success locally. He has been able to sell some of his work and has won awards, including the 2013 Headwaters Art Award at the Dufferin County Museum. Richard has a particular interest in vehicles, and has been accepted into the Industrial Design program at OCAD. He will receive a DAC Scholarship for Excellence in Visual Arts.

Heather Halliday is a former graduate of Orangeville District Secondary School who has just completed her Honours BFA at Queen's University. During her studies there, she has been a very active visual artist, with three solo exhibitions and six group shows to her credit. She has also been very busy with sundry other activities, both in Canada and overseas, including Bible studies in Germany. This year, she embarks on her Bachelor of Education degree at Queen’s, specializing as Artist in Community Education (ACE). Heather will receive a Continuing Education Scholarship in Visual Arts.

Grant MacDonald is a current graduate of Westside Secondary School. His referee describes him as a “dedicated prolific force with great insight and maturity”. Grant is a very busy fellow, and is intrigued by a range of expressive art forms, from traditional to digital media. He has been accepted at OCAD in the Design 2D Illustration program, and will receive a DAC Excellence in Visual Arts Scholarship.

Nicholas White is another of this year's ODSS grads who comes to us with glowing reports from his referees. He is described as a “deep thinker with excellent communication skills and a wide range of abilities”. He is especially interested in film, but is also an accomplished guitarist who has excelled in his school's guitar program. Nicholas has been accepted into the Department of Film degree program at York University. He will receive the George Shepherd Bursary.

Patrick Clark, who received a music scholarship from DAC last year, has completed his studies at Mohawk College and is now embarking on courses with the Boston campus of the Berklee College of Music. Patrick's goal is to complete a degree as a songwriting major. He will receive a DAC Continuing Education Scholarship in Music.

Kaitlyn Gallant, a member of this year's ODSS graduating class, has been described by one of her referees as a “triple threat, accomplished in singing, dancing and acting”. Kaitlyn submitted an inventive and entertaining DVD as part of her application which demonstrated just what a versatile and energetic student she is. This impression was strongly reinforced in her letter of reference, which itemized her involvement in a wide range of school activities. Kaitlyn has been accepted into the Theatre Degree program at York University and receives a DAC Scholarship for Excellence in Dramatic Arts.

Glenn Godfrey, Scholarship Chair