Stephen Hillenburg, marine biologist, cartoonist, animator, director, producer, writer, voice actor, and creator of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” has yet another title to add his growing list of labels. Stephen and wife Karen Hillenburg have endowed a new scholarship that will be offered and managed through the Princess Grace Awards (PGA) - USA.
Named after Mr. Hillenburg, the Stephen Hillenburg Animation Award will be available through a nomination process for students enrolled in university undergraduate or graduate animation programs. Nominations are invited from deans or department chairs of approved animation programs, and are open to select schools by invitation only. Schools invited to apply may nominate one undergraduate and one graduate student for the award.
Per PGA, the Stephen Hillenburg Animation Award “seeks to identify and support innovative, emerging animators who show outstanding artistic promise and a potential to have a lasting impact on the field of animation.” PGA-USA is interested in “identifying artists who push the boundaries of animation; creating new forms, as well as expanding the potential of classic technologies, narrative structures and methods.”
In evaluating applications, PGA-USA will consider the “quality, originality and mastery of the subject and approach of the proposed animation project.” Primary consideration will be given to the “unique vision and talent of the artist” per PGA. “Special consideration may be given to artists exploring innovative approaches within the practice of animation.”
To qualify for the scholarship, students must be full-time or matriculated, but have not yet completed a final project, they must have completed at least one piece of animation as the primary creator, and be the creator of the proposed project. The program is open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents only, and the deadline for applications and all materials is June 1, 2018 (11:59 PST). The next available grant period is September 1, 2018 thru August 31, 2019.
Stephen Hillenburg received a Princess Grace Film Scholarship while a graduate film student in animation in 1991. He received the Statue Award in 2012, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Foundation on a prior award winner. Mr. Hillenburg is the first Prince Grace Award winner to endow the Foundation with a gift that will support an animation scholarship.
For more information about the Stephen Hillenburg Animation Award, visit the official Princess Grace Foundation website.
Sources
Milligan, Mercedes. "New Animation Scholarship Named for 'SpongeBob' Creator Stephen Hillenburg." Animation Magazine. Animation Magazine, 25 Oct. 2017. Web. 22 Jan. 2018.
"Princess Grace Foundation-USA To Introduce The Stephen Hillenburg Animation Scholarship." NickALive! Viacom International Inc., 11 Sept. 2017. Web. 22 Jan. 2018.
"Stephen Hillenburg Animation Scholarship." Princess Grace Foundation. Princess Grace Foundation - USA, 2017. Web. 22 Jan. 2018.