Through resources provided by R. Don and Shirley Oscarson, the Brigham Young University College of Fine Arts and Communications has created a new endowment to help talented seniors in the college showcase their work in professional settings and facilitate their transition from the university to their chosen profession.
The Oscarson Discovery Endowment will provide grants in support of student initiatives that will increase their public and professional exposure, secure greater opportunities in the marketplace, help them learn business-related aspects of the arts, communications industries and networks with highly placed and influential professionals.
Discovery Grants will support auditions, exhibitions, internships, performances, publications and many other activities that will help seniors launch their careers in the arts or in communications.
"Oscarson Discovery Grants have already helped a number of students in the college fulfill lifelong professional goals," according to K. Newell Dayley, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications at BYU.
"This new endowment will secure similar opportunities for countless students in the years to come. Not only will students receive essential support at an important time of their lives, but the world will benefit from having these highly qualified artists and communicators where they can best serve and provide an influence for good," said Dayley. "We are so grateful to the Oscarsons for their generosity and vision."
R. Don Oscarson has participated in numerous arts ventures, including authorship of "The City of Joseph" pageant, held annually in Nauvoo, Ill. His professional experience includes extensive involvement in advertising and marketing.
The Oscarson Endowment was formally announced and celebrated at a recent private dinner with the Oscarsons and several recipients of Oscarson Grants at the Harris Fine Arts Center on the BYU campus.
Writer: N. Elaine Huntsma
