# Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Prize in the Visual Arts

**Source**: https://arts.mit.edu/camit/awards/schnitzer/
**Parent**: https://act.mit.edu/about/jobs-opportunities/

### **The Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Prize in the Visual Arts**

The Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Prize in the Visual Arts is presented to current MIT students, undergraduate and graduate, for excellence in a body of work in the visual arts. Students submit an artistic portfolio for consideration. Applications are considered each spring.

Portfolios are evaluated based upon the coherence and scope of the body of work, as demonstrated by the clarity of inquiry or vision; quality of execution of artistic product; command of medium; use of materials, including technology, computation, fabrication, and research; and demonstrated ability of the artist to contribute to and impact artistic conversations and practices at MIT and beyond.

A generous endowment allows for the award of graduate student prizes of $5,000 each, and undergraduate prizes of $2,500. Recipients also participate in a joint exhibition in the Wiesner Student Art Gallery.

The Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Prize in the Visual Arts was established in 1996 through the generosity of Harold and Arlene Schnitzer of Portland, Oregon. Schnitzer, a real estate investor, graduated from MIT in 1944 with a degree in metallurgy.

For more information, please contact council-arts@mit.edu.

#### **[Apply for the 2026 Schnitzer Prize by March 13](https://artsmit.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/87901)**

[Installation view of the 2025 Schnitzer Prize in the Visual Arts exhibition. Credit: HErickson/MIT.](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2025/)

## [2025](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2025/)

[Vinzenz Aubry](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2025/#Vinzenz-Aubry) \
Graduate Student

Art, Culture, and Technology

[Cheung Qin](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2025/#Cheung-Qin)\
Graduate Student

Architecture

[Chenyue xdd Dai](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2025/#Chenyue-xdd-Dai)

Graduate Student

Architecture

[Visit the online exhibition](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2025)

[2024 Schnitzer Prize recipient Dexter Callender III's Cloud Light, courtesy of the artist.](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2024/)

## [2024](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2024/)

[Dexter Callender III](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/dexter-callender-iii/)

Graduate Student

Media Arts and Sciences

[Zhanyi Chen](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/zhanyi-chen/)

Graduate Student

Art, Culture, and Technology

[HONMI](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/honmi/) (Bryan Hon Ting Wong and Namhi Kwun)

Graduate Students

Architecture

[Visit the online exhibition](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2024/)

[Read an article](https://arts.mit.edu/2024-schnitzer-prize/) about the 2024 Schnitzer Prize recipients.

[Reina Mun's "Creatures of the Current." Courtesy of the artist.](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2023/)

## [2023](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2023/)

Felix Li ’23**\**Art and Design

[Manar Moursi](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/manar-moursi/)\
PhD Candidate\
History, Theory and Criticism of Architecture and Art

[Reina Mun](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/reina-mun/)\
Graduate Student\
Art, Culture, and Technology

[Karyn Nakamura ’23](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/karyn-nakamura/)\
Art and Design

[Visit the online exhibition](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2023/)

[Read an article](https://arts.mit.edu/looking-backward-seeing-forward/) about the 2023 Schnitzer Prize recipients.

## [2022](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2022/)

[Christopher Joshua Benton](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/christopher-benton/)\
Graduate Student in the Program in Art, Culture and Technology at MIT

[Kwan Q Li](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/kwan-q-li/)\
Graduate Student in the Program in Art, Culture and Technology at MIT

[Irmandy Wicaksono](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/irmandy-wicaksono/)\
PhD Candidate in Media Arts and Sciences

[Visit the online exhibition](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2022/)

[Read an article](https://arts.mit.edu/2022-schnitzer-prize/) about the 2022 Schnitzer Prize recipients.

[Po-Hao Chi, *Performative Aramono*, 2020. Presented at Chung Hsing Cultural and Creative Park, Taiwan.](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2021/)

## [2021](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2021/)

[First Prize: Po-Hao Chi](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/po-hao-chi/)\
Graduate Student in the Program in Art, Culture and Technology at MIT

[Second Prize: Chucho Ocampo](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/chucho-ocampo/)\
Graduate Student in the Program in Art, Culture and Technology at MIT

[Third Prize: Carolyn Tam](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/carolyn-tam/)\
Graduate Student in Architecture

[Honorable Mention: Nina Lutz](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/nina-lutz/)\
Graduate Student in Media Arts and Sciences

[Visit the online exhibition](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2021/)

[Read an article](https://arts.mit.edu/2021-schnitzer-prize/) about the 2021 Schnitzer Prize recipients.

[2020 Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Prize in the Visual Arts First Place Winner Nicole L'Huillier's *El Poema de la Fábrica Cósmica*. Image courtesy of the artist.](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2020/)

## [2020](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2020/)

[First Prize: Nicole L’Huillier](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/nicole-lhuillier/)\
Graduate Student in Media Arts and Sciences, Media Lab (Opera of the Future)

[Second Prize: Rae Yuping Hsu](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/rae-yuping-hsu/)\
Graduate Student in the Program in Art, Culture and Technology at MIT

[Third Prize: Jonathan Zong](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/jonathan-zong/)\
Graduate Student in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (CSAIL) Visualization Group

[Honorable Mention: Elaheh Ahmadi ’20](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/elaheh-ahmadi/)\
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

[Honorable Mention: Siranush Babakhanova ’20](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/siranush-babakhanova/)\
Physics

[Visit the online exhibition](https://arts.mit.edu/start/wiesner-student-art-gallery/schnitzer-2020/)

[Read an article](https://arts.mit.edu/2020-schnitzer-prize/) about the 2020 Schnitzer Prize recipients.

[Image: Guillermo Bernal. Courtesy of the artist.](https://arts.mit.edu/2019-harold-and-arlene-schnitzer-prize-in-the-visual-arts/)

## [2019](https://arts.mit.edu/2019-harold-and-arlene-schnitzer-prize-in-the-visual-arts/)

[First Prize: Guillermo Bernal](https://youtu.be/LY0k3P0C-ic)\
Graduate Student in Media Arts and Sciences, Media Lab (Fluid Interfaces Group)

Second Prize: Erin Genia\
Graduate Student in the Art, Culture, and Technology Program (ACT)

[Third Prize: Emily Toomey](https://www.emilytoomeyart.com/)\
Graduate Student in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Honorable Mention: Dipo Doherty\
Graduate Student in Integrated Design and Management

[Watch a video about the 2019 recipients of the Schnitzer Prize.](https://youtu.be/Dx7WL8Ofalw)

[Read an article](https://arts.mit.edu/2019-harold-and-arlene-schnitzer-prize-in-the-visual-arts/) about the 2019 Schnitzer Prize recipients

[2018 Schnitzer First Prize Recipient Andrea Ling's *Girl in Wood Frock*.](https://arts.mit.edu/2018-harold-and-arlene-schnitzer-prize-in-the-visual-arts/)

## [2018](https://arts.mit.edu/2018-harold-and-arlene-schnitzer-prize-in-the-visual-arts/)

First Prize: [Andrea Ling](http://www.andreasling.com/) G, Media Lab

Second Prize: Nicolás Kisic Aguirre G, ACT

Third Prize: Brian Huang ’18, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Honorable Mention: [Gary Zhexi Zhang](http://zhexi.info/) G, ACT

[Watch a video about the 2018 recipients of the Schnitzer Prize.](http:// )

[Read an article](https://arts.mit.edu/2018-harold-and-arlene-schnitzer-prize-in-the-visual-arts/) about the 2018 Schnitzer Prize recipients

[2017 Schnitzer First Prize Recipient Ani Liu's *Mind Controlled Spermatozoa,* 2017.](https://arts.mit.edu/2017-winners-schnitzer-prize-visual-arts/)

## [2017](https://arts.mit.edu/2017-winners-schnitzer-prize-visual-arts/)

First Prize: [Ani Liu](http://ani-liu.com/) G, Course 4 (Media Arts and Sciences)

Second Prize: [Angel Chia Ling Chen](http://chenchialing.com) G, Course 4 (Art, Culture and Technology)

Third Prize: [Jessica Sarah Rinland](https://jessicarinland.com/) G, Course 4 (Art, Culture and Technology)

Honorable Mention: [Edwina Portocarrero](http://edwinaportocarrero.com) G, Course 4 (Media Arts and Sciences)\
Honorable Mention: [Anne Marie Graziano](https://architecture.mit.edu/student/anne-graziano) G, Course 4 (Architecture)

[Read more](https://arts.mit.edu/2017-winners-schnitzer-prize-visual-arts/) about the 2017 Schnitzer Prize recipients.

Ani Liu’s *Mind Controlled Spermatozoa.*

[Watch a video about the 2018 recipients of the Schnitzer Prize.](ttps://www.youtube.com/embed/e5I2qqPiMHo)

[Installation of photographs by Qiuying Lai, 2016 Schnitzer Prize Recipient.](https://arts.mit.edu/2016-recipients-student-art-awards/)

## [2016](https://arts.mit.edu/2016-recipients-student-art-awards/)

First Prize: Joshuah Jest G, Course 4 (Art, Culture and Technology)

Second Prize (tie): [Laura Perovich](http://lauraperovich.com/) G, Course 4 (Media Arts and Sciences)

Second Prize (tie): Emily Tow G, Course 2 (Mechanical Engineering)

Third Prize: Chris Kerich G, Course 21W (Comparative Media Studies/Writing)

Honorable Mention: Qiuying Lai ’17, Course 6 (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)\
Honorable Mention: Deniz Tortum G, Course 21W (Comparative Media Studies/Writing)

[Read more](https://arts.mit.edu/2016-recipients-student-art-awards/) about the 2016 Schnitzer Prize recipients.

Installation of photographs by Qiuying Lai in the Wiesner Student Art Gallery.

[Image: *Shadow Donation* by Alan Kwan, 2015 Schnitzer Prize Recipient.](https://arts.mit.edu/2015-recipients-of-the-schnitzer-prize/)

## [2015](https://arts.mit.edu/2015-recipients-of-the-schnitzer-prize/)

First Prize: [Tsz Wai Alan Kwan](http://www.kwanalan.com) G

Second Prize: Elaine Kung ’15

Third Prize: [Lan Li](http://lan-a-li.com/) G

Honorable Mention: [Jia Zhang](http://www.dataminding.org/jiazhang/) G

[Read more](https://arts.mit.edu/2015-recipients-of-the-schnitzer-prize/) about the 2015 Schnitzer Prize recipients.

Alan Kwan’s *Shadow Donation*.

[Image: "Boxes for Rocks" by Anne Macmillan, 2014 Schnitzer Prize Recipient. Photograph by Thery Mislick.](https://arts.mit.edu/mit-students-wins-annual-schnitzer-prize/)

## [2014](https://arts.mit.edu/mit-students-wins-annual-schnitzer-prize/)

First Prize: [Anne Macmillan](http://www.annemacmillan.com/) G

Second Prize: [Sophia Brueckner](http://www.sophiabrueckner.com/) G

Third Prize: [Floor van de Velde](http://www.floorvandevelde.com/) G

Honorable Mention: Alison Malouf ’14\
[Read more](https://arts.mit.edu/mit-students-wins-annual-schnitzer-prize/) about the 2014 Schnitzer Prize recipients.

Anne Macmillan’s *Boxes for Rocks*, photograph by Thery Mislick.

Image: Jie Qi's Dandelions, 2013 Schnitzer Prize Recipient. Credit: Jason Pastorello.

## 2013

First Prize: [Jie Qi](http://highlowtech.org/?p=738) G\
Second Prize: Rizal Muslimin G\
Third Prize (tie): [Floor van de Velde](http://www.floorvandevelde.com/) G\
Third Prize (tie): Amit Zoran G\
Honorable Mention: Xiao Xiao G

Jie Qi’s *Dandelions*, photograph by Jason Pastorello.

2012 Schnitzer exhibition, photograph by Greg Kuperman.

## 2012

First Prize: Matthew Everett Lawson G\
Second Prize: [Narda Alvarado](http://act.mit.edu/people/grads-alumni/narda-alvarado/) G\
Third Prize: Nathan Lachenmyer G\
Honorable Mention: [Emily Tow](http://touch-sit-sleep.blogspot.com) ’12\
Honorable Mention: [Elizabeth Anne Watkins](http://elizabethannewatkins.com) G

2012 Schnitzer Exhibition, installation photograph by Greg Kuperman.

Poster for 2011 Schnitzer Prize Exhibition, photograph and design by first-prize-winner Sarah Witt.

## 2011

First Prize: [Sarah Witt](http://www.sarahwitt.net/sarahwitt/i_am_sarah_witt.html) G\
Second Prize: [Otto Ng](http://www.ottocad.net/blog/?p=481) G\
Third Prize (tie): [Hannah Perner-Wilson](http://www.plusea.at/?page_id=1605) G\
Third Prize (tie): [Sohin Hwang](http://act.mit.edu/people/grads-alumni/sohin-hwang/) G

2011 Schnitzer Exhibition poster, designed by Sarah Witt.

*Appeel,* installation by Richard The. Credit: Willy Sengewald

## 2010

First Prize: Richard The G\
Second Prize: Jaekyung Jung G\
Third Prize: [Sam Kronick](http://newuntitledpage.com) ’10

Richard The’s *Appeel*, photograph by Willy Sengewald.

Poster for the 2009 Schnitzer Prize exhibition, designed by first-prize-winner Matthew Mazzotta.

## 2009

First Prize: [Matthew Mazzotta](http://matthewmazzotta.com/home.html) G\
Second Prize: [Jay Silver](http://web.media.mit.edu/~silver/) G\
Third Prize: [Jess Wheelock](http://jesswheelock.com) G\
Honorable Mention: [Leah Brunetto](http://www.leahbrunetto.com) ’12

2009 Schnitzer Exhibition poster, designed by Matthew Mazzotta.

Poster for 2008 Schnitzer Prize exhibition, designed by Caitlin Berrigan

## 2008

First Prize: [Caitlin Berrigan](http://membrana.us) G\
Second Prize: [Mary Hale](http://www.designboom.com/design/mary-hale-itinerant-home/) G\
Third Prize (tie): [Sabrina Kleinenhammans](http://www.dexigner.com/news/19222) G\
Third Prize (tie): Talieh Rohani G

2008 Schnitzer Exhibition poster, designed by Caitlin Berrigan.

MIT pre-frosh pose with spoons made from molds of their tongues, part of Hope Ginsburg's Sponge project.

## 2007

First Prize: [Hope Ginsburg](http://hopeginsburg.com) G\
Second Prize (tie): Katherine James G\
Second Prize (tie): [Neri Oxman](http://www.materialecology.com) G\
Honorable Mention: Stephanie Hsu G

Hope Ginsburg’s *Sponge* project.

Detail of 2006 Schnitzer exhibition poster, designed by Lira Nikolovska, photograph by Kate Kunath

## 2006

First Prize: [Lira Nikolovska](http://smartgeometry.org/index.php?option=com_community&view=profile&userid=338) G\
Second Prize: [Oliver Lutz](http://www.oliverlutz.com/main.htm) G\
Third Prize: [Azra Aksamija](http://www.azraaksamija.net) G\
Honorable Mention: Jeffrey Dahmus G\
Honorable Mention: Rene Chen ’07

2006 Schnitzer Exhibition poster, designed by Lira Nikolovska.

"Seth Enslow doing Playa Azul Peru" by Luis Berríos-Negrón, 35mm cibachrome, 1189 x 84cm, 2003

## 2005

First Prize: [Luis Berrios-Negron](http://www.luisberriosnegron.org) G\
Second Prize: [Andrew Brooks](http://riaus.org.au/people/zoz-brooks/) G\
Third Prize: [Cecilia Ramos](http://www.ceramosdesign.com/index.html) ’05\
Honorable Mention: [Barry Kudrowitz](http://www.wonderbarry.com/bio.html) G

Luis Berríos-Negrón’s *Seth Enslow doing Playa Azul Peru*, 2003.

Take Off My Tie by Coryn Kempster

## 2004

First Prize: [Christopher Coryn Kempster](https://coryn.see.me) G\
Second Prize: Lisa Bidlingmeyer G\
Third Prize: [Niels Cosman](http://www.nielscosman.com) ’04

Coryn Kempster’s *Take Off My Tie*.

From the N Train at Dusk (detail), by Moneto Ho.

## 2003

First Prize: [Moneta Ho](http://www.monetaho.com) G\
Second Prize: Nadya Direkova G\
Third Prize: Joyce Wang ’04

Moneto Ho’s *From the N Train at Dusk* (detail).

Detail from 2002 exhibition poster, by Jacqueline Martino.

## 2002

First Prize: Jacquelyn A. Martino G\
Second Prize: Augustine M. Urbas G\
Third Prize: [Cecilia Ramos](http://www.ceramosdesign.com/index.html) ’05\
Honorable Mention: Nicole A. Vlado ’02

2002 Schnitzer Exhibition poster, designed by Jacquelyn A. Martino.

Greece 2000, photograph by Marin Clark

## 2001

First Prize: Marin K. Clark G\
Second Prize: Sloan A. Kulper ’03\
Third Prize: Changhuei Yang G

Marin Clark’s *Greece 2000.*

Schnitzer exhibition poster with detail of A Small Bird, by Hiep Nguyen, 2000.

## 2000

First Prize: Hiep Nguyen G\
Second Prize: Vitaly J. Napadow G\
Third Prize: Changhuei Yang G

2000 Schnitzer Exhibition poster with detail of Hiep Nguyen’s *A Small Bird*, 2000.

Colombian Fishermen (detail), photograph by Richard Fletcher.

## 1999

First Prize: Richard R. Fletcher G\
Second Prize: Matthew D. Hollingworth G\
Third Prize: Vince E. Carballo ’01

*Colombian Fishermen* (detail), photograph by Richard R. Fletcher.

Eto Otitigbe '99, winner of the 1996 List Foundation Fellowship in the Arts, at the opening of his exhibition "The Suntoucher Tragedy: Woodcuts and Lithographs" at the Wiesner Student Art Gallery (October 1997) photograph by Gabor Csányi

## 1998

First Prize: [Eto S. Otitigbe](http://www.etosoro.com) ’99\
Second Prize: Kevin Simmons ’98\
Third Prize: Kim Eng ’99

Eto Otitigbe ’99, 1998 Schnitzer First Prize Recipient, photograph by Gabor Csányi.

Women, a painting by by Francisco Ortiz.

## 1997

First Prize: Francisco Ortiz G\
Second Prize: Benjamin Matteo ’97\
Third Prize: Xingheng Wang ’99

Francisco Ortiz’s *Women*.

Reflected Grid Vase (detail), by Christopher Moore.

## 1996

First Prize: Christopher Moore G\
Second Prize: Brant Chamberlain ’97\
Third Prize: [Eto Otitigbe](http://www.etosoro.com) ’99

Christopher Moore’s *Reflected Grid Vase* (detail).