WHAT IS THE FAILURE FAIR SCHOLARSHIP?
The Failure Fair Scholarship is an annual scholarship award available for graduating, college-bound, Colorado high-school seniors. The Failure Fair Scholarship is open to all seniors, regardless of intended field of study in college. Students must submit a proposal for a creative project, which, if selected as a finalist, they will present to the visiting public during the annual Failure Fair on Saturday, April 23, 2016. Projects of all types will be considered, including, but not limited to visual arts, performing arts, fashion, technology, design, and others. For guidance on what kinds of projects to submit to the Failure Fair, please see “What Does Failure Mean to Us?”
From all submissions, twelve students will be selected as finalists and invited to present their projects at MCA Denver’s annual Failure Fair.
The Failure Fair Scholarship is an annual scholarship award available for graduating, college-bound, Colorado high-school seniors. The Failure Fair Scholarship is open to all seniors, regardless of intended field of study in college. Students must submit a proposal for a creative project, which, if selected as a finalist, they will present to the visiting public during the annual Failure Fair on Saturday, April 23, 2016. Projects of all types will be considered, including, but not limited to visual arts, performing arts, fashion, technology, design, and others. For guidance on what kinds of projects to submit to the Failure Fair, please see “What Does Failure Mean to Us?”
From all submissions, twelve students will be selected as finalists and invited to present their projects at MCA Denver’s annual Failure Fair.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Failure Award $10,000 scholarship
Second prize $5,000 scholarship
Third prize $2,500 scholarship
Up to five additional winners will be granted one-time awards of $500 each.
Failure Award $10,000 scholarship
Second prize $5,000 scholarship
Third prize $2,500 scholarship
Up to five additional winners will be granted one-time awards of $500 each.
The Failure Award, second, and third prizes will be distributed over four years, providing that recipients maintain full-time (minimum 12 credit hours per semester) enrollment in an accredited four-year college or university, have a 2.5 or higher cumulative grade point average, and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by their institution.
The winner of the Failure Award will be invited to attend the Quarterly Forum Executive Breakfast in May.
The winner of the Failure Award will be invited to attend the Quarterly Forum Executive Breakfast in May.
WHAT DOES FAILURE MEAN TO US?
We are looking for projects that incorporate creative risk-taking. MCA Denver recognizes that artists put forth something new in the world without knowing if what they create will be embraced or ridiculed; in short, risking failure. MCA Denver created the Failure Fair to encourage this artistic spirit among young people. We encourage submissions of projects that demonstrate the courage to go against the grain of the everyday – to be risk being ridiculous, impossible, fantastical, or merely impractical. We are looking for students who have found the freedom to create something new in the world. For example, designing an elaborate stage set for an imaginary theatre production would be an example of a project that embodies creativity without attempting to be purposeful. Or designing an outfit made from trash that the creator wore to his/her prom shows a willingness to risk ridicule. Or creating a Kickstarter campaign to purchase the land surrounding Denver to reserve it for wildlife conservation embraces a fantastical idea.
We are looking for projects that incorporate creative risk-taking. MCA Denver recognizes that artists put forth something new in the world without knowing if what they create will be embraced or ridiculed; in short, risking failure. MCA Denver created the Failure Fair to encourage this artistic spirit among young people. We encourage submissions of projects that demonstrate the courage to go against the grain of the everyday – to be risk being ridiculous, impossible, fantastical, or merely impractical. We are looking for students who have found the freedom to create something new in the world. For example, designing an elaborate stage set for an imaginary theatre production would be an example of a project that embodies creativity without attempting to be purposeful. Or designing an outfit made from trash that the creator wore to his/her prom shows a willingness to risk ridicule. Or creating a Kickstarter campaign to purchase the land surrounding Denver to reserve it for wildlife conservation embraces a fantastical idea.
- Student must be a Colorado resident and high school senior
- Student must be graduating from a public, private, parochial, charter, or online high school in Colorado
- Student must plan to attend an accredited four-year college or university
- Student must demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, and a willingness to risk failure
- Student must submit a proposal for a creative project, which, if selected, they will present to a panel of judges and the visiting public during the Annual Failure Fair on Saturday, April 23, 2016
- Projects of all types will be considered, including, but not limited to visual arts, performing arts, fashion, technology, design, and others,
HOW DO I APPLY?
Eligible students are invited to submit proposals to MCA Denver between February 17 and March 20, 2016. Finalists will be announced on Friday, April 1, 2016. Twelve students will be selected to present their projects at the Failure Fair on Saturday, April 23, 2016. To be eligible to receive the scholarship, students must be available for the full day on Saturday, April 23 to present their project in person.
Eligible students are invited to submit proposals to MCA Denver between February 17 and March 20, 2016. Finalists will be announced on Friday, April 1, 2016. Twelve students will be selected to present their projects at the Failure Fair on Saturday, April 23, 2016. To be eligible to receive the scholarship, students must be available for the full day on Saturday, April 23 to present their project in person.
DEADLINES
Submission deadline: March 20, 2016
Finalists announced: April 1, 2016
Failure Fair: April 23, 2016
Submission deadline: March 20, 2016
Finalists announced: April 1, 2016
Failure Fair: April 23, 2016
HOW ARE APPLICATIONS REVIEWED?
Participants will be evaluated on creativity, innovation, and their ability to work within the theme of risking failure as an integral part of the creative process. Students must meet all eligibility criteria.
Participants will be evaluated on creativity, innovation, and their ability to work within the theme of risking failure as an integral part of the creative process. Students must meet all eligibility criteria.
- Title and brief description of their project. Projects can include drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, dance, theatre, fashion, technology, games, original instrumental or voice composition, design, or other creative practice.
- 500 word essay about how their project embraces failure, creativity, and/or risk-taking, describing what risks were taken and the context in which the project was made.
- Photos, videos, and/or YouTube videos/links to illustrate the project.
- Up to 300 word description of how they plan to present the project at the Failure Fair, including how they will use their five minutes of time.
- Letter of recommendation from a teacher or coach.
- Current high school transcript.
- List of colleges applied to.
- Intended course of study (if known).
SELECTION CRITERIA FOR FAILURE FAIR PRESENTATIONS
- Quality of submitted projects
- Project embraces idea of risk/failure
- Academic rigor
- Engaging plan for public presentation
- Diverse selection of applicants
- Spectrum of proposed projects
- Spectrum of students/schools
SELECTION CRITERIA FOR SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
- Presentation
- Incorporation of risk
- Academic rigor
- Q&A Session
Visit http://mcadenver.org/failure.php
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