Cellists Khari Joyner and Jia Kim and mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey are among eight recipients of the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship Fund, “in its 10th and final year,” writes Sopan Deb in Monday’s (4/10) New York Times. “The scholarship, based at the University of Pennsylvania, invests in promising artists to help them begin their careers. Past recipients include the ballet dancer Misty Copeland … and the actor André Holland…. The fellowship has collaborated with several institutions every year, including the Lincoln Center Theater and the Juilliard School, to find qualified candidates. It was originally established with a 10-year life span. Including the current group, the fund has distributed $6 million to 70 up-and-coming artists. Gail Levin, the fund’s director, … cited the success of past winners, who in turn have mentored incoming classes of recipients…. The eight scholarship winners will each receive $50,000 in grant money…. The fellowship was established by Leonore Annenberg…. The idea behind the grants was to allow artists at the start of their careers to focus on their discipline without having to worry about making ends meet.”

Posted April 11, 2017