The Imagining America consortium (IA) brings together scholars, artists, designers, humanists, and organizers to imagine, study, and enact a more just and liberatory ‘America’ and world. Working across institutional, disciplinary, and community divides, IA strengthens and promotes public scholarship, cultural organizing, and campus change that inspires collective imagination, knowledge-making, and civic action on pressing public issues.
Imagining America annually selects a cohort of student artists from IA member institutions who receive a tuition scholarship, mentorship, and financial support for a community arts project, support to attend the IA National Gathering, and other professional development opportunities as part of joining a national working group of engaged photographers and digital media makers.
Ivy Miller, Senior Bonner, Oberlin College
Mai Moua Thao, Junior Bonner, Macalester College
Eight undergraduate students from across IA’s national consortium were chosen as this year’s fellows, including two Bonners. Ivy Miller, a senior studying psychology and studio art at Oberlin College and Mai Moua Thao, a junior studying media and cultural studies at Macalester College.
The goals of the IA/JGS Fellows Program are to elevate photography and digital media as pathways for undergraduate students to pursue their careers and to make a difference in their communities. The program specifically aims to support students for whom economic and family circumstances render such career pathways particularly challenging.
Over the course of the fellowship year, each JGS Fellow will:
• Receive a $2,000 tuition scholarship.
• Receive mentorship and financial support for a community project.
• Attend the Imagining America National Gathering in October. Complimentary registration and travel awards are included.
• Participate in regular, virtual learning exchanges.
• Be connected to the consortium’s national network of scholars, artists, and community organizers.
More information about Imagining America and the JGS Fellowship can be found here.