Deadline: April 22, 2024
For the second year, Museum London will award the Melanie A. Townsend Scholarship for Museum and Curatorial Studies. This opportunity is designed to assist students at Western University who demonstrate exceptional dedication to curation, museum studies and museology.
As Head of Exhibitions and Collections at Museum London for 14 years, Melanie made valuable contributions to our organization, to the visual arts community in London, Ontario, and across Canada. The team at Museum London and artists and colleagues across Canada remember Melanie for her insightful and original curatorial work and her sense of humour. Industrious and down-to-earth, Melanie believed in the importance of cultural institutions to critically engage audiences through contemporary art and cultural artifacts to foster a deeper understanding of history. This award honours Melanie’s contribution and is one of the ways her legacy lives on!
Eligibility: This opportunity supports an undergraduate student currently enrolled in any Museum and Curatorial Studies module at Western University (including the Minor in Museum and Curatorial Studies; the Major in Museum and Curatorial Studies; the Honors Specialization in Art History and Museum Studies). Applicants must demonstrate passion for and commitment to curatorial practice.
Amount of Award:
$2,500
Application deadline: April 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM EST
What you should provide:
-a compelling letter that summarizes your work to date and your vision for the future of curatorial practice
-your CV (2 pages maximum)
-documentation of your enrollment status at Western University
-contact information for two references from personnel at Western or community members with whom you’ve worked
Your application should demonstrate excellent research skills, strong communication skills, a passion for and commitment to the field of curatorial studies, museums, your contributions to arts and culture, and include strong recommendations from Western Faculty and/or others in the community with whom you have worked.
All materials must be received by the deadline to be considered. Send your complete application in a single PDF with the subject line “Townsend Scholarship” to scholarships@museumlondon.ca
Applications will be reviewed by a committee and final decisions will be communicated by the end of April 2024. The successful applicant will be invited to submit a photo and short bio for an announcement and will be invited to receive the award at Museum London’s Annual General Meeting on May 8, 2024.