Mervyn Bishop Regional Arts and Media Scholarship

The Mervyn Bishop Regional Arts and Media Scholarship is to support students who are enrolled full-time in the Visual Art and Contemporary Craft Course or Media Course from TAFE Western, Dubbo College  who find it hard to access opportunities in the arts.   One scholarship will be offered in 2011 which will cover enrolment fees for the Certificate IV in Visual Arts & Contemporary Crafts and $500 towards the cost of equipment and materials.

The scholarship is supported by Orana Arts, TAFE Western and Western Plains Cultural Centre.

Selection Criteria

The Mervyn Bishop Regional Arts and Media Scholarship will be awarded to allow the pursuit of studies in the areas of Visual Art and Media at TAFE Western, Dubbo College.

Candidates with one of the follow qualifications and/or experience are eligible to apply:

  • Higher School Certificate with successful completion of art units
  • Cert III in Visual Arts & Contemporary Crafts
  • At least 5 years experience as a practicing artist

To be eligible candidates must also t:

  • Intend to enrol full-time in 2011 in Visual Art or Media
  • Be prepared to forgo any other TAFE sponsored discounts or fee waiver in acceptance of the scholarship
  • Be over 18 or of school leaving age
  • Demonstrate artistic merit and potential for an arts career

Applications will be assessed on merit and financial need. The Selection Committee will also consider the extent to which you will execute the aims of the program and your future contribution to the regional arts community.

How will the applicants be selected?

An independent Selection Committee consisting of representatives from all the partners will meet to select the recipient. If a large number of applications are received, the staff of the Arts & Media Section at the Dubbo College of TAFE will assist with short listing. Decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into. Unsuccessful applicants may contact the convenor of the panel for feedback on their applications.

Are there any conditions attached?

If you are awarded a Mervyn Bishop Regional Arts and Media Scholarship you must be prepared to abide by the conditions of the scholarship. The scholarship will be conditional upon continued progress in the course of study. TAFE NSW and the partners reserve the right to cancel or withdraw a scholarship if, in its opinion, the purposes for which the scholarship was approved change substantially. You must also provide an end of year acquittal report to TAFE NSW and the partners.

How will the scholarship be paid?

If you are awarded a scholarship your tuition fees will be paid on your behalf in full for the coming academic semester. $500 will be paid in two parts at the beginning of each semester by direct deposit or cheque. Where scholarship funds are not used for the purpose of the scholarship, or if there is non-compliance with the conditions, funds must be returned to TAFE NSW.

How do I apply?

  1. Read the scholarship guidelines and complete the Mervyn Bishop Regional Arts and Media Scholarship entry form
  2. Provide the relevant support material (Introductory letter, CV, 2 images of work, 2 referee letters)
  3. Send your application to the panel via one of the following methods:
  4. Late applications will not be considered.

What do I need to include in my application?

Support material including:

  • An introductory letter (one page) briefly outlining the benefits to you and the regional arts community if awarded the scholarship, and addressing the Selection Criteria for the scholarship
  • CV (maximum 2 pages)
  • 2 images of recent work
  • Descriptions of artwork submitted including title, year produced, dimensions, media and a statement about the work
  • 2 referee's letters
  • Results to date of previous studies in the arts and/or demonstrated experience in the arts industry

The two requested referees should come from two people who know the applicant in different capacities, for example personally, professionally or academically. Additional letters will not be considered. Referee letters should be no more than one A4 page. Referee letters may be sent by the referee directly to the above address by the closing date or be sent as an inclusion with the application.

Where can I get an application form?

Download a form here or from the WPCC website http://www.wpccdubbo.org.au/. You can also contact Orana Arts on 02 6817 8704 and arrange for a form to be posted.

What happens after my application is sent in?

The convenor will notify you to confirm receipt of your application within 7 days of the closing date for applications. A receipt of application will be forwarded to the email address, postal address or fax number provided on your application.  

If you do not receive notification after the closing date, it is your responsibility to contact TAFE NSW by phone and follow up on your application. This must be on the 7th day after the closing date.

Applications received via mail after the closing date will be accepted if they are post marked on or before the closing date.

Your application will be assessed by a selection committee, who may contact you for clarification. Final decisions will be made within one month after the closing date.

When final selection decisions have been made, successful applicants will be notified by telephone and unsuccessful applicants will be notified via mail within 1 month after the closing date.

Successful applicants will receive a letter of offer, which will include a grant agreement and grant payment form to be completed and signed by the successful applicant and a witness, and returned to TAFE NSW.

Successful applicants will also receive an acquittal report form to submit upon completion of the initiative, outlining the extent to which the initiative met its goals and objectives. This is to be returned to TAFE NSW by the date specified in the applicant's agreement.