Jerome Abrams ‘46 Memorial Scholarship
The Jerome Abrams ‘46 Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of MICA alumnus Jerome Abrams through a 1976 bequest from his father, Joseph Y. Adams, and contributions from other family members and friends. A talented photographer whose work was included in The Architecture of Baltimore, Jerome Abrams died at age 27. This scholarship commemorates his achievements at MICA and helps ensure that other gifted and deserving photographers have the opportunity to study their craft. Designated for a student with demonstrated financial need.
Aperture Foundation Internship
The Maryland Institute College of Art and Aperture have partnered together to create a ten-week summer internship designed for qualified photography majors in their junior or senior year. The purpose of this program is to expose a soon to graduate photography student to a wide range of activities that define Aperture, from editing, design, production, circulation, sales, and marketing of photography’s most significant publications; the creation of web content; educational programs for children and adults, and other business and development operations essential to a non-profit organization. The MICA Intern will work closely with the Aperture staff and contribute to the day to day work flow of the office, and will also make contacts within the photo community through meetings with various professionals in the photography field. The award is competitive, three finalists are put forward by the department and Aperture interviews and selects the intern. Funding for this program has generously been provided by alumni SB Cooper and RL Besson.
Jim Burger '82 Senior Thesis Project Award
The Jim Burger ’82 Senior Thesis Project Award is an annual award that grants a cash prize to one senior to aid in the completion of their Senior Thesis coursework. Jim Burger graduated from MICA with a photography degree in 1982 and has spent nearly 30 years as a professional photographer. Since Jim’s earliest days developing pictures in a bathroom turned darkroom in his parents’ basement, he has used a camera to tell stories. This became part of his professional life, as he honed his skill at the Baltimore City Paper and the Baltimore Sun. As a freelance photographer, his varied clients have included AARP, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and the Lou Gehrig’s Disease Association. Jim’s work has also appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, The San Francisco Examiner, and the Los Angeles Times. All students entering Senior Thesis are eligible to apply for this competitive award.
Friends of Photography
Friends of Photography is an ongoing resource driven by alumni donors that offers funding for rolling proposals to boost student professional development opportunities. Funded projects have included travel for workshops and conferences, internship support, and exhibition materials support. We are grateful for donations and contributions to this important fund - please reach out to discuss possibilities.
Leonard L. Greif, Jr. Scholarship in Photography
The Leonard L. Greif, Jr. Scholarship in Photography was established in 2007 by the Greif Family in honor and memory of their father, Baltimore Photographer Leonard L. Greif, Jr. Mr. Greif was born in Baltimore in 1913. He attended Park School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College. After serving in the Coast Guard during World War II, he returned to Baltimore and joined the family business. It was not a career fit. He moved to New York, took photography courses, and opened a portrait studio on Baltimore’s West Madison Street, later moving to Cross Keys. When asked his approach to photography, he simply said, “I like people.” Mr. Greif often asked his subjects, “When was the last time you had a portrait done that you liked?” Their reply was generally, “Never.” But, as his daughter related, “his charm, wit, banter and joie de vivre put his subjects at ease and produced memorable pictures.” Mr. Greif ’s portraits of brides and debutantes appeared for many years on the society pages of the Sun, and occasionally the New York Times. They also lined corridors and offices at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Designated for a photography major for their senior year of study at MICA demonstrating both need and merit.
Maryland Photographic Society Scholarship
The Maryland Photographic Society Scholarship is given annually to a returning Photography major who exhibits excellence in photography. MICA Photography Department chair Jack Wilgus and several others interested in photography and the history of Maryland photography founded the Maryland Photographic Society (MPS), formerly the Chesapeake Antiquarian Photographic Society, in 1971, and it operated until 2010. MPS’s membership included amateur and professional photographers, collectors, and historians, and its mission was to promote photographic excellence. To this end, the group held meetings, invited speakers and guest critics, and published a quarterly newsletter. In the past, MPS also put on photographic shows, the proceeds from which were used to create this endowed scholarship and similar scholarships at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Designated for a returning Photography major demonstrating excellence in photography. Financial need is not a consideration for this scholarship.
Netherwood Memorial Scholarship
Alumnae Joan Clark-Netherwood and her husband, Paul Netherwood, generously bequeathed an endowment to the department that will award an annual scholarship to a Photography major. This scholarship will cover full tuition for the recipient’s senior year, with selection based on a combination of financial need and good academic standing (GPA).
Alumni Project Support Program
The Alumni Project Support Program recognizes that alumni may need continued support to work on post-graduation projects. We are able to support one alumni project per semester through access to our facilities and resources for defined projects with professional outcomes. Please reach out to see if your project is a possible fit.