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Admission » Financial Aid and Scholarships » Kalamazoo College Merit Scholarships » The Enlightened Leadership Award for Creative Expression

The Enlightened Leadership Award for Creative Expression

Qualified candidates will demonstrate outstanding talent/accomplishments in one or more of the following areas: vocal/instrumental music, theatre arts, photography, studio arts, creative writing, or journalism.

Students interested in applying for this scholarship must provide information specific to the area in which they are applying. Students are welcome to submit materials in more than one area, but students are not able to win more than one of these scholarships.

Please pay very close attention to the requirements for each area as incomplete applications will NOT be considered. We encourage you to ask questions if you need clarification; please email lara.magdzinski@kzoo.edu.

Application cover page must be completed by each student.

Music

  • A current resume of music study, teachers, ensembles, competitions, awards, and other evidence of artistic leadership.
  • At least one letter of recommendation from a music teacher describing your commitment to developing your musical abilities; two recommendations would be preferable.
  • An essay, 500-750 words, addressing how you plan to pursue your musical interest in a liberal arts college setting.
  • One of the following:
    • A live, on-campus audition consisting of two or more contrasting works which best illustrate the breadth and quality of your technical and artistic achievements. To arrange an on-campus audition, please schedule an Individual Visit through our website.
    • A real-time Skype audition. This option is geared toward those students whose location may prevent a campus visit. To arrange a Skype audition, please contact Lara Magdzinski at lara.magdzinski@kzoo.edu or call (800) 253-3602.
    • Audio or video (CD, DVD, YouTube link, etc.) of two or more works which best illustrates the breadth and quality of your technical and artistic achievements. This option should be utilized only when an on-campus or Skype audition is not feasible; although all submissions will receive equal consideration, a live audition is strongly preferred.
  • Recipients of this prestigious award will meet at the beginning of the academic year to discuss musical opportunities available to them. Each recipient is expected to participate in an ensemble related to his/her scholarship.
    Note: An Enlightened Leadership Award application may count as your Arts Supplement if submitted before your application deadline.

Visual Arts: Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Photography

  • Portfolio ~ 10 to 20 images using link to a website (such as Flicker or You Tube) or a CD/DVD: maximum size 7” by 9” at 150 dpi.
  • Image List ~ titles and specifications of images/pieces on website or CD
  • Resume ~ list of accomplishments and involvements
  • One letter of recommendation from someone who knows you and your work well.
  • An essay, 500-750 words, addressing how you plan to pursue your artistic interests in a liberal arts college setting.
  • Recipients of this prestigious award will meet at the beginning of the academic year to discuss artistic opportunities available to them. Recipients are expected to be involved in the artistic community on campus for at least one academic term per year.

Creative Writing:

  • Collection of writing ~ please submit four to six poems or eight to fifteen pages of prose (fiction or creative nonfiction), or a combination of eight to fifteen pages of poetry and prose.
  • One letter of recommendation from someone who knows you and your work well.
  • Recipients of this prestigious award will meet at the beginning of the academic year to discuss writing/literary opportunities available to them. Recipients are expected to be involved within the writing community on campus for at least one academic term per year.

Journalism:

  • Collection of writing ~ please submit your best five to eight published clips. You are encouraged to show the variety and breadth of your work with this sample. Also include a cover letter describing your classroom, publishing, and professional experience as well as what your submitted clip file demonstrates about you as a journalist.
  • One letter of recommendation from someone who knows you and your work well.
  • Recipients of this prestigious award will meet at the beginning of the academic year to discuss writing and editing opportunities available to them. Recipients are expected to be involved within the writing community on campus for at least one academic term per year.

Theatre Arts

  • A current resume listing all activities you have participated in related to theatre, dance, music or art.
  • One letter of recommendation from a theatre director or drama teacher.
  • Recipients of this prestigious award will meet at the beginning of the academic year to discuss theatrical opportunities available to them. Recipients are expected to be involved in the theatrical/theatre community on campus for at least two academic terms per year.
  • Submit the requirements specified below for Performance and/or Design/Technical.
    • Performance (Acting/Directing)
      • DVD of a memorized performance of two contrasting monologues. The total time of both monologues together must not exceed four minutes. Time your pieces!
      • Introduce your pieces only by giving the name of your character, play, and author.(EXAMPLE: “Hello, my name is Ellen Barker. Today I will be performing Betty from Vinegar Tom by Caryl Churchill. And Viola from Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.”) Please do not give any other information about the character or the plot of the play.
      • Choose single character monologues. Refrain from impersonating several characters talking with each other. Also, do not choose a piece that requires a dialect.
      • Try to find a character within your own range (age, personality, type, etc). It’s best to do a character from a play, rather than a screenplay for film or television. Make sure you make EVERY effort to read the whole play if your piece is from a book of monologues. Select monologues that you personally find exciting. They should be pieces you LOVE to do! Definitely have an acting teacher or drama coach help and evaluate your pieces before submitting your work.
    • Design/Technical:
      • Portfolio of artwork; scenic, lighting or costume designs; and/or technical projects, which may include photos, poster designs, renderings, draftings and models.
      • You may also perform the two monologues (details above) if you wish