The scholarships are offered annually
and are very competitive, with selection based on academic
excellence, professional qualifications and ambassadorial
skills. The University of New Mexico (UNM) has offered
to host Garry during his scholarship.
His Story:
"I was studying at the School of Creative Arts
at UOW until 2001. Unfortunately I did not complete
the BCA (majoring in sculpture). I left with 12 credit
points outstanding (due to work and family committments).
"I applied to Canberra School of Art to undertake
an Honours there (they accept external entrants with
max 12 credit points short of their degrees at other
institutions) dependent on the award of an honours
scholarship.
"With the Fulbright Postgraduate Studies Scholarship,
I transferred to ANU, where I am now completing honours.The
scholarship I've been awarded is sponsored by the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission,
which is appropriate because I have been working for
around 15 years now in Aboriginal community/housing
development throughout Australia.
My proposal to the award committee was that I want
to undertake research into current developments in
Native American visual arts and how social, political
and economic issues influence contemporary art practices.
This will be a self initiated research project which
allows me to travel freely and consult with people
and organisations I consider appropriate.
I hope to learn more about the issues facing Native
American peoples, how these issues manifest in contemporary
arts practices, and what connections these have with
issues here in Australia. I also hope to meet lots
of people and engage in some collaborative arts practices,
and/or produce a small body of my own work.
"Lastly I hope to develop a proposal for further
postgraduate research at UoW in 2004 (Masters of Creative
Arts Research program)". - Garry
