WIA Announces Partners of the 2021 Scholarship Program
Women in Animation continues to expand its ongoing WIA scholarship program with workshops and software packages for the 2021 cycle recipients of Animation Industry Partners Mentor, Autodesk, Toon Boom and Unity.
Il WIA Scholarship Program is an annual award dedicated to promoting the academic efforts of deserving animation college students who demonstrate artistic talent, a passion for animation, financial need and a promising future in the industry. Female applicants who are enrolled in schools around the world to pursue various aspects of animation production are encouraged to apply.
“WIA is thrilled to have Autodesk and Unity, the industry-leading 3D software developer, the world's leading platform for creating and using interactive real-time 3D (RT3D) content, joining partners from Animation Mentor and Toon Boom return for the 2021 scholarship program, ”said Marge Dean, President of WIA. “We have been extremely fortunate to have ongoing support from Animation Mentor, the premium mentoring program for our industry, as well as Toon Boom, a leader in 2D storyboard and animation software, who, in addition to providing access to their innovative software and education - very generously supported WIA's scholarship fund, further enabling the next generation of diverse talent. We are grateful to all industry partners this year for their commitment to promoting educational opportunities and resources for scholarship recipients. ”
Animation Mentor (www.animationmentor.com) will offer a WIA animation scholarship winner a six-week seminar and allow that winner to choose different courses. With their choice of 13 different classes, including Maya Workshop: Animation Basics, Cartoony Animation for 3D Animators and Animation Mentor's brand new Animation 2D: Walk Cycles & Character Movement workshop, the winning student will have many options to best customize this educational opportunity.
"Animation Mentor is so excited to continue our partnership with Women in Animation!" commented Animation Mentor co-founder Bobby Beck. "WIA's many great resources and worthy mission benefit not only our students but the animation industry as a whole."
Autodesk (www.autodesk.com) supports this year's recipients with licenses of their 3D modeling and animation software. Winners will be able to choose between one-year subscriptions to Autodesk Maya or Autodesk 3ds Max.
“At Autodesk, we are thrilled to partner with WIA to support amazing women pursuing careers in animation,” said Jocelyn Moffatt, Industry Marketing Manager, Entertainment at Autodesk. "It is exciting to be part of a project like the WIA Scholarship Program, which provides emerging talent with the resources to take their careers to the next level and paves the way for more diverse storytellers and leaders in our industry."
For yet another year toon Boom (www.toonboom.com) will support the WIA scholarship program with both software and scholarships. One-year bundled licenses of Storyboard Pro and Harmony Premium will be awarded to each finalist, as well as virtual training and contribution to the WIA scholarship fund to be divided among the three winners.
“Toon Boom Animation focuses on strengthening its partnership with WIA by working together on projects that encourage diversity and female leadership in the arts and animation business,” said Stephanie Quinn, Director of Marketing, Toon Boom Animation. "By providing women animators with the best software and training, we seek to support their creative journeys from inspiration to the big screen."
To further support attendees, Unit (Unity.com) will provide 15 annual Unity Pro licenses and 15 annual ArtEngine licenses to help animators acquire usable skills and practice 3D tools and real-time technologies used in the animation industry.
The deadline for submitting applications for the WIA Animation Scholarship is December 1, 2020. The scholarship winners will be announced in February 2021.
Visit womeninanimation.org/scholarship for more information.
