Activist Artist Scholarship honors artists’ contribution to human rights
CONCORD: Today the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice launched a new scholarship contest for graduating New Hampshire high school seniors. The Activist Artist Scholarship challenges applicants to examine the influence of a particular Activist Artist and show how that artist used his/her medium to influence, inform and inspire during their lifetime or beyond. Alternatively, applicants may choose to submit their own original piece of activist art.
The scholarship competition is open to all New Hampshire residents who will graduate high school in Spring 2021 and intend to enroll in a 2- or 4-year college program in the Fall of 2021. The scholarship winner will receive $5,000, while up to two runners-up will each receive $2,500 – to be paid directly to their intended college or university. Funding for the scholarship is generously provided through a grant from the Bank of New Hampshire.
“Giving back to our communities is not just about making the donation, it’s about making a difference,” stated Cydney Shapleigh, EVP – Chief Wealth Management Officer for Bank of New Hampshire. “We embrace our responsibility to be a leading corporate citizen. By supporting organizations like the Lantos Foundation, we can help strengthen our communities and enhance the lives of our neighbors in impactful ways.”
The Activist Artist Scholarship program falls within the Lantos Foundation’s “Global Citizenship” area of work. The Foundation recognizes the powerful, yet often overlooked, role that artists play in the human rights movement. They use their talents to challenge, educate and move communities toward understanding, acceptance and change. Through the Activist Artist Scholarship, and other programs, the Foundation seeks to encourage, support and elevate the work of Activist Artists.
Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation, issued the following statement:
“My father Tom Lantos was a noted human rights hero, but he was also an educator by profession and a great admirer of the arts. This scholarship combines many of the things that he valued, while encouraging the next generation to understand and embrace the powerful connection between the arts and human rights. I am very excited to see what I’m sure will be amazing ideas and contributions from students from across the Granite State.”
2021 Scholarship Timeline, Eligibility & Award
Timeline:
Monday, October 26, 2020: Activist Artist Scholarship Application Opens
Friday, January 8, 2021: Deadline for Activist Artist Scholarship Application Submissions
Friday, February 26, 2021: Activist Artist Scholarship Winner(s) Announced
Eligibility Requirements: Scholarship eligibility will be limited to graduating high school seniors who are residents of New Hampshire that intend to enter a 2- or 4-year undergraduate degree program in the Fall of 2021.
Award: The Activist Artist Scholarship winner will receive a $5,000 award payable to his/her intended college or university. Up to two runner-up awards will be awarded in the amount of $2,500 each, payable to the intended college or university.
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About the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice: The Lantos Foundation was established in 2008 to carry forward the legacy of Congressman Tom Lantos, the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to the U.S. Congress and a leading human rights champion. Based in Concord, NH, the Foundation works with a range of partners and often in cooperation with the U.S. Government on issues that span the globe. The Foundation’s key areas of focus include human rights issues related to religious freedom, rule of law, internet freedom and activist art. The Foundation also administers the Lantos Congressional Fellows Program, supports human rights advocates, activists and artists through its Front Line Fund grant program, and awards the annual Lantos Human Rights Prize to honor and bring attention to heroes of the human rights movement. Past recipients of the Prize include His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Professor Elie Wiesel, Israeli President Shimon Peres, Iraqi Parliamentarian Vian Dakhil, “Hotel Rwanda” hero Paul Rusesabagina, and Hong Kong Democracy activist Joshua Wong, among others.