Fund for Innovation at Smith College

Let's make a community and let's bring the power back to the arts here. Let's really give the power back to the students. How do you build community, how do you generate funding for students to pursue their passion for the arts? Chelsie Dias, an Art History major is starting a Fund for Innovation to provide monetary support for students of all disciplines who have artistic drive. What if I could have some sort of auction and raise money for a fund for innovation in the arts where you don't have to have a gpa requirement, you don't have to be from any particular major, you don't have to do anything necessarily, there's no restrictions on that front. Chelsie's fund is designed to give students from any discipline an avenue for creativity and innovation. The emphasis is on the potential of the idea proposed, eliminating the hurdles typically associated with obtaining money for a project. It's an idea that creates opportunity for everybody whether you're an artist and you are wanting to sell your artwork and you need something to give you that extra push or that motivation, or, maybe you have this great idea and what is going to make it possible for you to do it? The fund works cyclically: students create artwork to be sold at a silent auction taking place this spring during commencement weekend. Half of the proceeds will go to the artists, and the other half will return to the fund pool, which will be awarded to chosen proposals for innovation the following year. Start thinking outside of the box; and do not think about the cost. Just sort of dream big. Chelsie envisions this Fund as a driving force behind bold, high-caliber work. Think like 10 years out, this fund is successful. All of the brilliant, wild, unbelievable, unheard of things...don't even exist yet. That's the part that excites me about this process. Whether it's an existing project or new endeavor, Chelsie encourages students to get involved and submit their best work. The Fund for Innovation is an exhibition opportunity and a chance to make money, providing the foundation for an ambitious artistic collective. The idea is to make ambition reality, to give artists something to work towards, and to create a passionate and competitive community.