2006
Diploma Exhibition

Overview
The Diploma Project is designed to assist students in making the transition from instructed learning based on classroom exercises to a greater reliance on independent learning. The goal is for each student to develop at least three related artworks, or in the case of sculpture, plans and maquettes and a single finished piece. As an assignment, the Diploma Project aims to introduce each student to some of the professional considerations of making artwork intended for exhibition. At the midterm review of the Diploma Project II, the Faculty Committee will select one artwork from each student to be included in the DP exhibition and final critique. In the case of a work that includes multiple panels, the Faculty Committee may make an exception to the one-piece rule. The final grade however will take into consideration all thematically consistent work completed during the spring semester, including drawings and maquettes along with the written abstract in support of the project.

The Diploma Project can be executed as painting, drawing or three-dimensional work, in materials agreed upon by the student and primary advisor. The Diploma Project represents a synthesis of the skills and information acquired at the Academy. The main focus of Diploma Projects should be artwork that takes the human figure as its subject matter. The size of individual works will normally be no larger than 6 feet in any one dimension. Multiple paneled paintings and sculptures that have more than one component part are acceptable, but all of the parts must be interdependent and work together to produce a single work.

Awards, Fellowships and Scholarships

The Chairman's Travel Scholarship: Jean-Pierre Arboleda
Made possible by the Chairman of the Board, David Levinson, enables an outstanding graduating student to travel after graduation to visit museums, collections and sites that will stimulate future artistic endeavors.

The Joan S. Brady Travel Scholarship: Yaicha King
This scholarship provides financial support to enable a graduating student to travel abroad.

Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, a premiere global publication for collectors who advocate representational art, awards an Academy graduate in recognition of an outstanding diploma project submission. This year, the Magazine has awarded Bain Butcher.

The Walter Erlebacher Award: Rachel Goldman
For outstanding work in Anatomy Selected by Martha Erlebacher at the end of the semester

The Prince of Wales Fellowships
The first year students are: Melissa Anderson, Ali Banisadr, Brian Drury and Amber Kloppel. The graduates are: Dina Brodsky, Michelle Doll, Katie Hemmer and Michael Smith
Granted in collaboration with the Prince of Wales Drawing Institute and with the kind benefaction of trustee Kip Forbes to fund student painting sojourns at the Chateau de Balleroy in Normandy, France.