To encourage diversity in the live event design community, TSDCA, in partnership with Live Design International (LDI) and USITT, announces the second annual Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships for undergraduate students. To support the underrepresented and unique voices in the field of entertainment, this scholarship is funded by LDI and awards $5,000 per student.
The Diversity In Design scholarships are named for Pat MacKay, formerly publisher of Theatre Crafts and Lighting Dimensions magazines and founder of the LDI Trade Show and Conference. She is a USITT Fellow and has served as a mentor for multiple generations of industry professionals.
TSDCA will select the sound design scholarships, while USITT will select those for lighting and digital media design. Both organizations have non-profit 501(c)(3) status.
Students enrolled in lighting design, digital media and projection design, and sound design programs on an undergraduate level, as well as high school seniors who have already been accepted to an undergraduate college or university design program, are eligible to apply online here.
Students applying for the scholarships will be requested to provide:
- Copies of their work, such as a digital design portfolio, or audio samples;
- References/recommendations from teachers/collaborators;
- A short essay on why they would like to win this scholarship and their career goals;
- List the underrepresented communities they identify with.
Each student that is selected for one of the Pat MacKay Scholarships will receive up to $5,000, spread out over a maximum of eight semesters, or $1,250 per year, paid by semester directly to the school. Recipients of the scholarship will be required to act as an influencer for Live Design International (LDI) via social channels for one year. In order for the students to get the next year’s payment, they must show progress toward their degree, maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, and provide a letter of support from their mentor with an update on how they are progressing as designers.
The application process will open on March 2, 2020 with the deadline for applications and support materials on May 4. The 2020 scholarships will be announced in late May.
For additional information, visit the application page on USITT website.
