The FOCUS Fellowship Program

Now accepting applications to the 2024/2025 academic year.

Photo by Kamini Purushothaman

Wábi Teen Photography Program

Wábi offers a one-year FOCUS Fellowship in Photography based in New Haven for the current academic year. The program targets teens and young adults from 14-19 years old who demonstrate a true interest in a career as a fine art or commercial photographer. Please consider a donation to help pay the tuition for current and future students. Click here to donate.

The FOCUS Fellowship will focus on technical skills in photography, the history of photography, exposure to contemporary photographers, portfolios, and a final exhibition. Wábi will provide professional training and development with photographer and educator, Kim Weston. Each Fellow will benefit from Weston’s extensive education, experience, and network of professional artists and teachers both locally and nationwide. At the completion of the program, each Fellow will have a professional group exhibition and professional portfolio to continue a career in the arts. 

Students in the fellowship will be sponsored by art enthusiasts, artists, and fellow community leaders who have graciously donated to the gallery to cultivate young photographers in the New Haven community. Their gracious donations of time, money, and talent will allow each student to explore and cultivate their love of photography without any financial restrictions or concerns. This program is one of the core goals of Wábi; to help young talented artists learn, explore, network, and enhance their understanding of the business of being an artist.

Educational Objectives

  • Develop competency in digital photography, editing, and printing.

  • Ability to properly choose and operate a professional DSL camera, compose and edit images, and curate and showcase their work for a final exhibition.

  • Understand the business of fine art photography and commercial photography.

  • Cultivate a professional network of artists and commercial photographers.

Activities

Each week the Fellows will engage in two hours and half of instruction which will include weekly assignments and critiques. The program will include professional visits from established artists who will engage with the students sharing their unique objective to the art of Photography. The students will see their personal growth over the course of the program and be able to edit and curate their own final exhibition. The portfolio the students create can be used to further their artistic talents and pursuits such as applying to other art, programs or colleges.

Requirements

Students must have a commitment and desire to learn the skill of fine art photography. Each candidate will have a personal interview and be required to submit images and a written statement as instructed. 

Stipends

All photography equipment will be provided by the FOCUS Fellowship program.  At the successful completion of the program, each Fellow will be awarded a DSL camera or needed equipment to contribute to their pursuit of professional photography.

 

Photo by: (L) Tywain Harris,
(R) Alex Guzman

Donate to the FOCUS Fellowship Program.

Consider sponsorship for our FOCUS Fellowship program. Your donations will go towards the Canon DSLR cameras and printing for the fellows’ final exhibition.