Women In Animation Announces 2021 Scholarship Partnerships

Women In Animation Announces 2021 Scholarship Partnerships

October 22nd, 2020

Jerry Beck

Women in Animation is continuing to expand its ongoing WIA Scholarship Program with workshops and software packages for recipients of the 2021 cycle from industry partners Animation Mentor, Autodesk, Toon Boom and Unity. The WIA Scholarship Program is an annual award devoted to furthering the academic efforts of deserving animation college students who demonstrate artistic talent, a passion for animation, a financial need, and a promising future in the industry. Applicants who have identified themselves as female or non-binary, and who are enrolled in schools all over the world to pursue various aspects of animation production, are encouraged to apply.

“WIA is thrilled to have leading 3D software developer Autodesk and Unity, the world’s leading platform for creating and operating interactive, real-time 3D (RT3D) content, join returning partners Animation Mentor and Toon Boom for the 2021 Scholarship Program,” said Marge Dean, President of Women in Animation. “We’ve been extremely fortunate to have ongoing support from Animation Mentor, the premium mentoring program for our industry, as well as Toon Boom, the leader in storyboard and 2D animation software, which—in addition to providing access to their innovative software and training—has very generously supported WIA’s scholarship fund, further enabling the next generation of diverse talents. We are grateful to all of this year’s industry partners for their commitment to furthering educational opportunities and resources for scholarship recipients.”

Animation Mentor will offer one WIA Animation Scholarship winner a six-week workshop and will allow that awardee the choice of several courses. With their choice of 13 different classes, including Maya Workshop: Animation Basics, Cartoony Animation for 3D Animators, and Animation Mentor’s brand new workshop 2D Animation: Walk Cycles & Character Movement, the student winner will have many options to best personalize 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 is supporting this year’s recipients with licenses of their 3D modeling and animation software. Winners will have the choice between one-year subscriptions of Autodesk Maya or Autodesk 3ds Max. “At Autodesk, we are excited to be partnering with WIA to support incredible women pursuing careers in animation,” said Jocelyn Moffatt, Industry Marketing Manager, Entertainment at Autodesk. “It’s inspiring to be part of a project like the WIA Scholarship Program which provides rising 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 will be supporting the WIA Scholarship Program with both software and scholarship funds. One-year bundled licenses of Storyboard Pro and Harmony Premium will be awarded to each finalists as well as virtual training and contribution to the WIA scholarship fund to be split among the three winners. “Toon Boom Animation is focused on strengthening its partnership with WIA by working together on projects that encourage diversity and female leadership in animation arts and business,” stated Stephanie Quinn, Director Marketing, Toon Boom Animation. “By providing women animators the best software and training, we look to support their creative journeys from inspiration to big screen.”

To further support the participants, Unity will be providing 15 Annual Unity Pro licenses and 15 Annual ArtEngine licenses to help female animators gain employable skills and practice of real-time 3D tools and technologies used in the animation industry.

The deadline to submit applications for the WIA Animation Scholarship is December 1, 2020. More details can be found on the WIA website here. Scholarship winners will be announced in February 2021.

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Jerry Beck

Writer, cartoon producer and author of more than 15 books on animation history. A former studio exec with Nickelodeon and Disney; currently on the faculty at both CalArts in Valencia and Woodbury University in Burbank, California.