College Center for Research and Fellowships

Source: https://ccrf.uchicago.edu/smart-scholars-program Parent: https://college.uchicago.edu/academics/arts-humanities-collegiate-division

The Smart Scholars Program supports research opportunities at the Smart Museum of Art in close collaboration with curatorial and research staff and affiliated faculty. The museum also promotes excellence in undergraduate education at the University of Chicago by expanding opportunities for object-centered inquiry. The Smart Scholars Program is designed to foster an expanded range of scholarly and creative expressions for undergraduate researchers interested in the visual arts. Completion of the program will result in an original creative work (of visual art, music, dance, writing), exhibition, program, or scholarly essay.

Third- and fourth-year undergraduates from any major may apply for one, two, or three-quarter grants. Each Scholarship carries an optional $1500 research travel stipend requiring a budget and schedule at the time of application.

Program Expectations: Scholars will undertake academic research (library, database, archive, conservation, materials science laboratory, or other museums) into one or more objects at the Smart Museum of Art; regular meetings with a mentor from any of the museum’s departments (to be assigned); successful completion of proposed project. Scholars are expected to dedicate at least 10 hours per week to the program.

Principle Responsibilities: academic research (library, database, archive, conservation, materials science laboratory, or other museums) into one or more objects at the Smart Museum of Art; regular meetings with a mentor from any of the museum’s departments (to be assigned); successful completion of proposed project.

All Smart Scholars will be expected to partipate in the 2020 University of Chicago Undergraduate Research Symposium on 5.15.20 and the annual research scholars curriculum. If selected as an SUR Associate, you will receive more information about these expectations separately.

Eligibility:

• Third- and fourth-year undergraduates from any major, in good standing at the University of Chicago.
• Excellent research and communication skills; time-management skills; some training or experience in the proposed area of creative expression.

Grant funding: Candidates may apply for one, two, or three-quarter grants in the amount $1500 per quarter. Scholars are also eligible for a $1500 research travel stipend requiring a budget and schedule at the time of application.

Application Process:

You will submit your complete application materials ONLINE HEREincluding uploading a single pdf file that includes all of the following:

• (1) Current academic CV (it can be more than two pages)
• (2) 350 Project Proposal, accompanied by a list of one or more focal works from the SMART's art collection. You should consult the collection here: smartcollection.uchicago.edu.
• (3) Names, titles, and emails of two faculty references (one of whom should be willing to act as secondary academic advisor for the proposed project)
• (4) Unofficial Transcript (please download an unofficial copy from the registrars office; do not submit a screen shot of your myuchicago page)
• (5) Budget and timeline for travel (if proposing travel for research; up to $1500)

Candidates will undergo a thorough review by SMART museum staff and finalists will be invited to interview with their research mentor.

Deadline: Application review will begin in October each year;review and selection on rolling basis

A program designed and funded through a collaboration between the Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry, the SMART Museum, the Humanities Collegiate Division and the College Center for Research & Fellowships (CCRF).