KANEKO and Hastings College are excited to announce Open Space, a summer art immersion program for high school juniors that will be held at the College’s Jackson Dinsdale Art Center (JDAC).
“Creativity can grow anywhere, but having great instructors and equipment can be a spark to really advance that growth. The Jackson Dinsdale Art Center at Hastings College is the place with the instructors, equipment and technology to be that spark!” said Ree and Jun Kaneko, KANEKO founders.
For this inaugural year, Open Space will welcome 20 Omaha-area students who display a high level of artistic ability. Selected students will spend June 24-29 – six days and five nights – at the world-class Jackson Dinsdale Art Center. As the program grows in future years, more students will be invited to attend.
During this time, Hasting College faculty will lead students through daily intensive studio experiences, exploring glass blowing, ceramics, sculpture and 3D/digital fabrication. Transportation from Omaha to Hastings College, lodging in the Hastings College residence halls, instruction, art supplies, meals and entertainment are included.
High school juniors must have a known interest of studying art in college, submit a digital portfolio including 5-8 high resolution photos of their work and be in good academic standing. In addition to submitting a portfolio, students must also be nominated by an art educator.
Educator referrals and student applications can be found online at hastings.edu/openspace. Applications are due April 13, 2018 and selected students will be notified April, 30, 2018.
Open Space is valued at more than $1,000, but the Jackson Dinsdale Endowment Fund at the Hastings College Foundation is generously granting each student an $800 scholarship to attend. Therefore, the student commitment will be only $200. However, no student will be turned away due to finances, as additional financial assistance is available to families who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program.
Note: For 2018, we are piloting Open Space with Omaha-area high school juniors. In 2019, we plan to increase the number of students selected for Open Space and launch the program to juniors state wide.
Hastings College is a private, four-year institution located in Hastings, Nebraska, that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. With more than 60 majors and 15 pre-professional programs, Hastings College has been named among “Great Schools, Great Prices” by U.S. News & World Report and a “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review. For more, go to hastings.edu.
The Jackson Dinsdale Art Center is an architecturally innovative showplace for the arts and a superb teaching and learning environment for Hastings College students. The 25,000 sq. ft. facility opened in August 2016 and is the premier art center in the region and houses the best college glass studio in the country. The JDAC offers spacious studios, classrooms and gallery space.
KANEKO is a nonprofit arts and cultural organization dedicated to exploring and encouraging the creative process and how it impacts our lives. Established by internationally renowned sculptor Jun Kaneko and his wife, Ree, KANEKO was conceived of as “open space for your mind,” a place where thoughtful examination of others’ ideas through exhibitions and public programs leads us to new and exciting ideas of our own. For more information about KANEKO, visit thekaneko.org.
