Jonathan Sethna Harvardwood LGBTQ+ Fellowship

Applications are now closed

Harvardwood is excited to announce the inaugural Jonathan Sethna Harvardwood LGBTQ+ Fellowship for projects that elevate LGBTQ+ characters, themes, and stories by creatives and screenwriters who are Harvard University alumni.

The purpose of the Fellowship is to polish, develop, elevate, and amplify projects for the screen with LGBTQIA+ characters, themes, and stories. The gift, generously donated by Jonathan Sethna (HGSE ’03), will support at least two projects. The minimum amount of grant funding is $5,000. In addition to grant funds, Fellows will receive one-on-one guidance and mentorship from Harvard Alumni that want to empower artists to make the world a better place through their stories. 

The inaugural Sethna Harvardwood Fellow(s) will be announced by August 31, 2023, and the Fellowship will run from September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024. Applicants may be at any stage of their career, and their chosen project must be a project for the screen (fiction or nonfiction, film or television). However, applicants can hold any relation to the work: writer, director, producer, etc. 

Each Fellow will receive additional guidance and assistance through Harvardwood via programs, resources, and access to the wider Harvardwood network during their fellowship year.

“Harvardwood is so excited to have the opportunity to cultivate and promote art and artists’ work featuring LGBTQ+ stories, thanks to the generosity of donor Jonathan Sethna,” said Harvardwood Director Laura Frustaci (AB ‘21). “Growing up with two moms, there was a dearth of onscreen representation when it came to families that looked like mine. I hope that this fellowship and others like it can rectify that for younger generations. Now more than ever, we rely on art to heal and raise awareness about identities and communities that are frequently overlooked and even persecuted. We believe that this fellowship will bring to light impactful stories centered around talented and emerging LGBTQ+ voices and experiences.”

The Fellowship selection committee is comprised of Harvardwood board members, other industry professionals, and/or Harvard University staff with expertise in various artistic disciplines.

2023-24 Eligibility

To apply, individuals may identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or ally to the community, as long as the proposed project meets the fellowship goals of uplifting LGBTQIA+ characters/themes/stories. Applicants must be Harvard University alumni in order to complete the application, which must include a resume and an artist statement with a brief description of the envisioned project to be completed or substantially developed during the term of the Fellowship. Applicants should also include a work sample or portfolio.

The finalist round may include a virtual interview. Individuals who have previously been beneficiaries of Harvardwood grants or scholarships or have participated in Harvardwood programs are eligible as long as they meet the other terms of eligibility.

Applications will be accepted starting on July 1, 2023 and will be due July 31, 2023, with the recipient(s) announced in August 2023. 

Applications are now closed

Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Harvardwood AAPI Artist Fellowship

Harvardwood is pleased to announce the inaugural Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Harvardwood AAPI Artist Fellowship for artists who are Harvard University alumni (or students expecting their degree in May 2023) and identify as Asian American Pacific Islander. The purpose of the Fellowship is to develop, elevate and amplify AAPI voices and stories. The gift, generously donated by Angela Chao (AB ‘95, MBA ‘01) in honor of her mother, Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, will support one or more artists as they pursue their creative projects over the course of a year.

Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao was a philanthropist, mother of six daughters, and lifelong advocate for equitable education. Like her namesake, Chinese folk heroine Hua Mulan, Mrs. Chao faced adversity with extraordinary grace, courage, and determination. In 2016 she became the first woman and Asian American to have a building named in her honor at Harvard University.

Angela Chao, Mrs. Chao’s youngest daughter and CEO of Foremost Group, states: "My mother was an inspiration to my sisters and me. She worked very hard and made many sacrifices to support her daughters' educations and potential in life. It is my hope that this fellowship will help honor her legacy and inspire others to embrace her values and generosity.  She would have been proud to support a cause that provides opportunities for AAPI students to make their voices heard and break down barriers as an important step toward celebrating and protecting our heritage and the Asian American Pacific Islander community.”

The inaugural Chao Harvardwood Fellow(s) will be announced by May 31, 2023, and the Fellowship will run from June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. The total amount of grant funding for the year is $10,000 (more than one Fellow may be named, and individual award sizes may vary). Grant funds can be used at the grantee’s discretion in support of their creative work for the duration of the Fellowship period. Applicants may be at any stage of their career, and there is no restriction on the artistic discipline; musicians, dancers, visual artists, actors, comedians, writers, filmmakers and artists/creators in all mediums are encouraged to apply.

Each Fellow will receive additional guidance and assistance through Harvardwood via programs, resources, and access to the wider Harvardwood network during their fellowship year.

Harvardwood Founder Mia Riverton Alpert (AB ‘99) said, "Angela Chao has long been a champion for the arts and the AAPI community. This generous and impactful Fellowship in honor of her mother, Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, continues a legacy of extraordinary leadership and demonstrates a deep commitment to supporting AAPI artists, bringing their rich and diverse stories to global audiences."

The Fellowship selection committee is comprised of Harvardwood board members, other industry professionals, and/or Harvard University staff with expertise in various artistic disciplines.

2023-24 Eligibility

To apply, individuals must identify as AAPI, be Harvard University alumni or expect to receive their degree in May 2023 (i.e. in their final few months of an undergraduate or graduate program), complete the application form, provide a resume, a work sample or portfolio, an introductory video, an artist statement (in written, audio, or video format), a letter of recommendation, a creative plan with an overview of envisioned projects to be completed or substantially developed during the term of the Fellowship, and a projected budget indicating how grant funds would be used for the term of the Fellowship. The finalist round may include a virtual interview. Individuals who have previously been beneficiaries of Harvardwood grants or scholarships or have participated in Harvardwood programs are eligible if they meet the other terms of eligibility.

Applications will be accepted starting on March 1, 2023 and will be due April 30, 2023, with the recipient(s) announced in May 2023. Unless Fellowship funds need to be utilized at a particular time for project-related expenses, funds will be distributed quarterly to the Chao Harvardwood Fellow(s) beginning in June 2023 and ending in May 2024.

Mia and David Alpert Harvardwood Artist Launch Fellowship Original Announcement (Sept. 2021)

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Harvardwood is pleased to announce the Mia and David Alpert Harvardwood Artist Launch Fellowship for graduating seniors or recent Harvard alumni working or seeking to work in the arts, media, and entertainment fields. The multiyear gift, generously donated by Harvardwood Co-Founder Mia Riverton Alpert ’99 and her husband, producer and media entrepreneur David Alpert ‘97, includes a $24,000 per-artist grant, awarded annually, to support one or more recent graduates from the College for one year as they pursue their artistic projects. Each Alpert Harvardwood Fellow will also be paired with a mentor in their field of interest to help guide their creative endeavors and will receive additional assistance through Harvardwood.

The Harvardwood Artist Launch Fellowship will be awarded annually to a different artist or artists. Grant funds can be used at the grantee’s discretion. The purpose of the funds is to provide the opportunity for an individual to choose the pursuit of artistic endeavors without consideration of financial need for the duration of the grant period. There is no restriction on the artistic field; musicians, dancers, visual artists, actors, writers, filmmakers and artists/creators in all disciplines are encouraged to apply. 

“Creating more equitable access to careers in the arts has been a lifelong passion for us and was a motivating force behind Harvardwood’s founding 22 years ago.  David and I are honored to support the next generation of emerging Harvard artists as they begin their professional journeys,” said Mia Riverton Alpert.

Harvardwood President Allison Kiessling said, "We have long known that to have a greater impact we need to invest more deeply in individual artists. This fellowship will allow Harvardwood to amplify our efforts to promote diversity, equity and the positive impact of new voices in the arts. We are incredibly grateful for the Alperts’ generosity."

The Fellowship selection committee is comprised of Harvardwood board members, other industry professionals, and Harvard University staff with expertise in various artistic disciplines.

Read last year's Crimson article on the Mia and David Alpert Harvardwood Artist Launch Fellowship here. Read about the 2022-23 HALF winners here!

2023-24 Fellowship Winners

Harvardwood is pleased to announce that filmmaker/visual artist Uzo Ngwu (AB ‘23) and conductor/composer Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg (AB ‘21) are the recipients of the second annual Mia and David Alpert Harvardwood Artist Launch Fellowship. In addition to receiving a $24,000 grant to support their work, each Fellow will be paired with a mentor in their field to offer professional guidance and support during the term of the Fellowship.

Ms. Ngwu will spend her fellowship year focusing on completing the production of her 2D animated film  MMANWU, which began as her thesis project. Uzo will be mentored by renowned filmmaker Mark Osborne. Mr. Osborne is known for his work in both animation and live-action directing. He gained acclaim for co-directing the highly praised film Kung Fu Panda, which garnered an Academy Award nomination and earned over $630 million worldwide. Mr. Osborne's other notable achievements include his award-winning stop-motion animated short More and his contributions to the popular TV series SpongeBob SquarePants, as well as being a recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship. His diverse portfolio showcases his talent and creativity in both animation and live-action storytelling.

Mr. Wenzelberg will spend his fellowship year continuing in the second year of the National Master in Orchestral Conducting program in Amsterdam, as well as participating in the 2023 Mahler Competition in Bamberg, Germany and pursuing conducting opportunities in Europe. He will also pursue avenues to advance his original opera and senior thesis, NIGHTTOWN, which has just won a 2023 ASCAP Morton Gould Composer Award and whose premiere recording will be featured in the 2023 Bloomsday Film Festival in Ireland. Benjamin’s mentor will be conductor Alan Gilbert (AB ‘89). Mr. Gilbert is principal conductor of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra and music director of Royal Swedish Opera. He was music director of the New York Philharmonic from 2009 to 2017 and principal conductor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra from 2000 to 2008. He holds the title of conductor laureate with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic.

In addition to the two Fellows, Harvardwood named six finalists who will each receive a $500 grant to support their work. The finalists are writer Josette Abugov  (AB ‘23), mixed media artist Treasure Brooks (AB ‘22), comedian Emma Choi (AB ‘23), performer/writer Ashley Cooper (AB ‘21), musician/composer Devon Gates (AB ‘23), and dancer Osazi Al Khaliq (AB ‘23). 

2024-25 Eligibility

To apply, individuals must be current Harvard College seniors or have graduated from Harvard College within the past two years (i.e. class of 2022, 2023 or 2024), complete the application form, provide a resume, a work sample or portfolio, an introductory video, an artist statement (in written, audio or video format), a letter of recommendation, a creative plan with an overview of envisioned projects to be completed or substantially developed during the term of the Fellowship, and a projected budget for the term of the Fellowship. The finalist round will include a video interview. Individuals who have previously been beneficiaries of Harvardwood grants or scholarships or have participated in Harvardwood programs are eligible if they meet the other terms of eligibility.

Applications will be accepted starting on October 7, 2023 and will be due January 9, 2024 (letter of recommendation due Jan. 23, 2024), with the grant announcement in March 2024. Unless Fellowship funds need to be utilized at a particular time for project-related expenses, funds will be distributed monthly to the Alpert Harvardwood Fellows beginning in June 2024 and ending in May 2025.

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Company: PopShift
Type of Position: Internship
Minimum Education Level: N/A
Minimum Years of Experience: N/A

Job Description: The PopShift Entertainment Fellowship is a competitive fellowship for those who care about making an impact, and who love entertainment. We are looking for 5-10 university students to serve as PopShift Entertainment Fellows.

Company: AT&T
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Start Date: DEADLINE TO APPLY IS MARCH 2, 2018
Type of Position: Fellowship
Minimum Education Level: current student
Minimum Years of Experience:

Job Description: Does everything about digital media and television excite you? Do you want insider knowledge on starting a career in TV? The AT&T Media Fellowship is looking for you! AT&T has its own full scale internal production team, and they want to help you get your foot in the door in the media industry. This 4-week workshop is designed to empower aspiring creators to compete for jobs in a rapidly changing media economy with a combination of TV production know-how, marketable assets, and job seeking savvy. You will leave well equipped to plan your career trajectory, develop skills and assets to help you navigate the TV/digital media industry, and be a competitive candidate. Learn directly from AT&T media professionals with tours, job shadowing, presentations as well as educational sessions with industry experts working in the field.

Company: NBC News
Location: Washington, DC
Start Date: Deadline to apply - 3/31/2017
Type of Position: Fellowship
Minimum Education Level: Bachelor's
Minimum Years of Experience: 

Job Description: The deadline for the application for the 2017-2018 Fellowship is Friday, March 31, 2017 at 5PM Eastern Time.
The Tim Russert Fellowship will be awarded to one motivated, passionate graduating senior interested in pursuing a career in political journalism. The Fellowship is a one-year, paid position in the NBC News Washington, D.C. Bureau. The fellow will work on a rotational basis in several areas of the Washington Bureau including “Meet the Press” and the NBC News Political Unit. Responsibilities will include assisting talent and producers, participating in news shoots, and story research. The goal is to give a talented, early career journalist the opportunity to be mentored by seasoned NBC News staff members and experience a yearlong “boot camp” in political journalism.

Company: Storyhunter Fellowship
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Start Date: October 26, 2015
Type of Position: Full-Time
Minimum Education Level: Bachelor's
Minimum Years of Experience: 1-2 years

Job Description: The Storyhunter Fellowship is a 6-month training program that provides a hands-on experience across all of our operations. Fellows will rotate between our community, sales, and tech teams to gain complete insight into how Storyhunter helps leading media companies find, manage and hire journalists and filmmakers around the world. This is a highly competitive program designed to identify future hires.

Compensation: $2,000/month (full time) $1200/month (part time)

Work Schedule: Preference will be given to applicants who are available to work 5 days a week. Applicants who can only work 3 days a week will also be considered.