Faculty of Arts

Harold Wright Scholarship and the Sarah & William Holmes Scholarship

Two scholarships are offered each year – the Harold Wright Scholarship and the Sarah & William Holmes Scholarship – to allow holders to carry out an intensive study of prints at the British Museum, London, for a period of up to twelve months and may be awarded jointly.

Although the objects of each scholarship are identical, the first is named in honour of the late Harold Wright, who was an authority on prints with a world-wide reputation. In addition to academic honours and other marks of recognition, his advice was sought by almost every major art gallery with a department of prints. His association with Australia and New Zealand derives from his honorary services to the Felton Bequest and his life-long friendship with Sir Lionel Lindsay, as well as private collectors in both countries.

The second scholarship is named in honour of the parents of Mrs. Wright.

Because Harold Wright acquired his unrivalled mastery of the field at the time more favourable to private studies than the present, it is not intended that the scholarship should be linked to a specific project, specialized research or even a publication. Mrs. Wright felt that application for such purposed were adequately provided for by other awards. She had in mind a completely free year, in which the holder would be able to work as widely in one of the greatest collections of print in the world as her husband did for many years. In later life he made many distinguished contributions to specialized knowledge in print scholarship, but what distinguished his work was the width of the original background on which it was based.

These Scholarships are very rare and privileged. Previous recipients of the scholarship are now in museums and galleries throughout Australia and continue to work in preserving art history in Australia.

For more details, see Harold Wright Scholarship and the Sarah & William Holmes Scholarship Background and guidelines (55kb pdf)

 

Eligibility

The scholarship is open to applicants who meet ALL of the following criteria:


Note: The scholarship is available to graduates of Australian or New Zealand Universities, or to other persons deemed by the Selection Committee to be of sufficient scholarly standard.

It is expected that the successful candidate would be a person with a background involving a serious study of prints and that the study at the British Museum would be useful for the furtherance of his/her career.

 

Applicants can only apply online for this scholarship.

You must supply the following documents to support your application and can upload these into the electronic application form:

  1. Statement and any information that supports your application
  2. Estimate of travel and living expenses (Budget)
  3. Some evidence of other financial resources available apart from scholarship funds
  4. A curriculum Vitae (including present position) [no more than 2 pages]
  5. Academic transcripts (Including previous studies in the art of the print)
  6. Certified copy of Australian or NZ Citizenship (Passport, Birth Certificate, Citizenship Certificate)
  7. Two (2) academic references
  8. Any other information to support application that may assist the committee in making its decision

Please note: work(s) submitted will not be returned.

Please ensure you have the above information available before you commence your online application.

Applications must be submitted by closing date.

 

The judges' decision will be final and the University reserves the right not to award the prize in the event it is considered that no work of sufficient merit has been submitted. Winning applicants please note the University of Melbourne reserves the right to publish the name of the winning applicant on its websites and other University of Melbourne publications.

 

Closing date:

Monday 7 May 2012


Prize value:

Approx. $ 7,500


University Trust Record:

None

 

Students walking throught the University of Melbourne Arts precint

 

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