Open Space for the Visual Arts, a summer immersion program provided by Hastings College and the College’s Jackson Dinsdale Art Center, is now accepting applications for the summer of 2019 experience.
For 2019, Open Space for the Visual Arts will accept up to 35 high school students who are currently juniors and who display a high level of artistic ability. Selected students will spend June 2-8, 2019, at the world-class Jackson Dinsdale Art Center where they will gain hands-on experience in a range of art mediums and meet Hastings College faculty, through which they’ll discover opportunities about a career in art.
During Open Space, Hastings College faculty will lead students through daily intensive studio experiences, exploring glass blowing, ceramics, sculpture and animation/digital art. Amenities in Open Space include lodging in the Hastings College residence halls, instruction, art supplies, meals and entertainment.
“The Open Space summer immersion program has rapidly become the preeminent visual arts experience for our state’s most gifted student artists,” said Chris Hochstetler, Hastings College dean of innovation and creativity. “I’m excited about what this means for our state and our region as these students are presented with the creative challenge of world class facilities, instruction and opportunity, achieving what only their imagination has, to this point, held.”
High school juniors interested in applying to Open Space at hastings.edu/openspace must have an interest of studying art in college, submit a digital portfolio that includes 5-8 high resolution photos of their work, be in good academic standing and have a letter of recommendation from an art teacher.
Josie Polacek, a senior at Skutt Catholic High School in Omaha, attended Open Space last year and enjoyed the experience so much that it helped solidify her decision to attend Hastings College for the upcoming school year.
“The Open Space program was an amazing opportunity; I’m so happy I made the decision to apply,” Polacek said. “Hastings came to feel like such a happy place for me that it felt like home. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities I had at Open Space. I learned so much about new media and about myself as an artist.”
Student applications can be found online at hastings.edu/openspace. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2019.
Open Space for the Visual Arts is valued at more than $1,000, but the Jackson Dinsdale Endowment Fund at the Hastings College Foundation is generously granting each student an $750 scholarship to attend. Therefore, the student commitment will be only $250. However, no student will be turned away due to finances, as additional financial assistance is available to families who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program.
Hastings College is a private, four-year institution located in Hastings, Nebraska, that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Hastings College has been named among “Great Schools, Great Prices” by U.S. News & World Report and a “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review. For more, go to hastings.edu.
