High school students interested in the arts world will soon have another outlet to help them explore their passions. Contemporary Arts Memphis (CAM), the flagship program of nonprofit organization The Blue Room, is launching its Summer Fellowship Program this year. Selected fellows will be provided with scholarships that let them join the program at no cost.
The CAM Summer Fellowship is a four-week program that includes art-making, contemporary art history, professional development workshops, and artist mentors. During the final week of the program, fellows will travel to New York City to visit museums and artist studios. The program also has partnerships with local institutions like the Brooks Museum, Dixon Gallery & Gardens, and the UrbanArt Commission.
“Memphis has always lifted me up and I am honored to be able to give back and help the next generation of artists live up to their fullest potential,” says CAM founder and native Memphian Derek Fordjour. “By investing in our local talent, we are building a cultural bridge between Memphis and the rest of the world. Over the last century, Memphis has developed an incredible reputation for its global impact on music — we are now making a case for the visual arts by empowering young artists.”
CAM is looking for applicants in the 10th and 11th grade from local public, charter, independent, and municipal schools. Interested students will need to provide an art portfolio and teacher/art professional recommendations, and participate in an interview. Applicants who are accepted will be able to join the program at no cost.
“For many of our potential Fellows, finances are a major concern. We are excited to ease that burden and allow them to focus on their creativity and growth as artists,” says Fordjour. “It is incredibly important for me to build a ladder of artistic development and support in Memphis, the city that nurtured me. It’s a city of great promise that has profound impact on my life and work. I want to empower young artists that will help share our city’s culture with the rest of the world.”