Home Blog The Manitoba Studio Fund launches to support BIPOC design students.

The Manitoba Studio Fund launches to support BIPOC design students.

- posted March 18, 2021

Do you know a future graphic designer who could use a design scholarship?

At Honest, we believe that Graphic Design should reflect the community it stems from, and in our back yard, in many ways, it is improving. More and more advertising and corporate communication is looking, feeling and sounding inclusive. The obvious disparity though is in representation from historically marginalized people, particularly Indigenous and Metis and people of colour working in graphic design fields.

So, we are pleased to announce that, along with the Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) Foundation and six other Manitoba design studios, we have launched the Manitoba Studio Fund. This collective endeavour provides two annual scholarships of $2,000 each to support historically marginalized students, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, (BIPOC), who are pursuing a degree or certificate in the field of design and design communications. The scholarships will be awarded annually for at least the next five years, one to a student at Red River College and one to a student at the University of Manitoba.

“We recognize that BIPOC youth face greater obstacles to achieving their educational goals than many of their peers and we hope this scholarship helps to reduce this imbalance,” says Callum Beattie, Partner and Director of Brand Strategy at Honest Agency. “By supporting the Manitoba Studio Fund, we can provide some needed support to a few individuals, build a stronger, more vibrant industry for future generations and ensure that our communication continues evolving to accurately reflect our community.”

The idea for the fund came from Andrew Boardman, Principal at Manoverboard, who approached a number of agencies and design studios about the opportunity to collaborate on the development of the scholarship. Around half of the firms Boardman approached joined the passion project without hesitation, including Brandish Agency, Guppy Design, Manoverboard, Relish New Brand Experience, ‘Segun Olude and Sly Bird Creative. After several months and several meetings, the details of the fund were hashed out and the criteria for applying was established. The visual identity was contributed by Brandish Agency and the fund will be administered and awarded by the GDC Foundation.

About the Scholarship

The Manitoba Studio Fund will offer $2,000 each to two BIPOC graphic design students — one from the University of Manitoba and one from Red River College — every year for at least the next five years. Scholarship recipients will also receive paid internships at one of the design studios. This scholarship is available to graphic design, UX/UI, and digital media design students who are residents of Manitoba and who are attending either the University of Manitoba or Red River College.

How to apply

The scholarship application form is now open and submissions are due by May 1, 2021. Click here for information on how to apply.

How to support the Manitoba Studio Fund

We strongly encourage other agencies, design firms and those who benefit from a strong creative industry to help support the Manitoba Studio Fund. Our hope is that the fund will continue to provide support to BIPOC students for as long as they need it.

To support the Fund, contact Peggy Cady CGD, FGDC, at:

foundation@gdc.net

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