Field Work Term Fellowships in Social Change

Creative Legacy Fellowship

What forces and individuals contribute to shaping an artist’s legacy? What happens to all of the objects, materials, and correspondence that artists create during their lifetime? What is a catalogue raisonné?

Through the Creative Legacy Fellowship, selected students are placed into internship positions at artist-endowed foundations to investigate these questions. In addition to their internships, Fellows develop together as a peer-supported cohort through pre- Fellowship meetings, coursework and mentorship, led by Liz White, faculty member in Visual Arts and director of the Museum Fellows Term program. By combining hands-on work experience with a complementary educational component, this Fellowship aims to introduce participants to the nascent field of artist-endowed foundations, and invite the consideration of philosophical and creative questions, while simultaneously offering practical knowledge applicable to future professional opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

This opportunity is available to returning students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors). Candidates’ previous research work and field(s) of interest will be considered, along with need and merit factors, and finalists will be interviewed to determine which students are best qualified for the fellowship. The program is designed for any and all students who are interested in how creative legacies are shaped and is open to applicants from all discipline areas. It is particularly well-suited to students with interests in visual art, art history, curatorial studies, history, archives, and related cultural work.

Successful applicants are expected to have an excellent academic record, and maturity, responsibility, independence, and professionalism are essential.

Remote & On-Site Options

Both remote and on-site positions will be available, and applicants will indicate their preference in their application. Your preference for either type of work setting will not negatively impact your application in any way. No student is required to pursue on-site work, and the decision to do so is entirely voluntary. Like all students, as outlined in the Field Work Term (FWT) Waiver, fellows completing on-site work are fully responsible for the health and safety risks, and for adhering to all official health/safety guidelines for their location and work setting.

Fellowship Sites

Selected fellows will be matched with an internship at a participating foundation partner, based on each student's skills, interests, and geographical preferences, as indicated in their application. Positions may be in-person, remote, or hybrid, according to each foundation’s preferences. Confirmed sites include the Gordon Parks Foundation (Pleasantville, NY), Helen Frankenthaler Catalogue Raisonné, and Al Held Foundation (Boiceville, NY), but additional opportunities may be available.

Program Details

• Fellowship positions will be paid a stipend of at least $3,000
• Internships will take place during the Winter Field Work Term (FWT) period, which runs from January 2 through February 16, 2024. Fellows will complete 200 internship hours and all other FWT criteria. (The full FWT Handbook is available here.)
• Fellows are required to participate in Pre-Fellowship Preparatory Meetings in Fall 2023 as well as a 1-credit remote class that runs over FWT, concurrently with their internships. 
• Fellows are expected to give a formal presentation about their work at the Field Work Term Fellowship Spotlight event in Spring 2024, date to be announced. This presentation meets the FWT Reflective Project requirement.

How to Apply

To apply for the Winter 2024 Creative Legacy Fellowship, submit the following via this Handshake listing by Monday, October 9, 2023 at 5:00 pm:

1. Your resume
2. A one-page cover letter, clearly indicating why you want to take part in this Fellowship, your related areas of interest, and the experiences and skills you have relevant to these interests.
3. The FWT Budget form attached to this Handshake listing. Complete this form to indicate your anticipated FWT costs, and any personal and/or family resources you are able to contribute to your FWT costs.

Students selected for advancement in the admissions process will be notified of their provisional acceptance and proposed institutional matches. Additional materials and or refinements to existing materials may be requested. Final selection of fellows is dependent on foundation interviews and internship offers. Acceptance into the fellowship is not guaranteed until internship assignments have been confirmed.

Endeavor Foundation Environmental Action Fellowship

Through the Endeavor Foundation Environmental Action Fellowship Program, selected students are placed into internship positions at nonprofits with a focus on environmental protection and environmental justice. In addition to their internships, Fellows develop together as a peer-supported cohort through pre- and post-Fellowship coursework and mentorship, led by Judith Enck, Senior CAPA Fellow and founder of the Beyond Plastics project. By combining hands-on work experience with education and mentorship, this Fellowship aims to equip participants with the experiences, skills, and capacities to advance environmental justice causes, address complex societal challenges, and become effective changemakers in the world.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are open for the Winter 2024 Fellowship, which is available to 15-20 students from all academic years. Fellows are selected based on need and merit factors. A keen interest in environmental protection and learning advocacy skills will make your application stand out.

Internship Sites

Selected Fellows will be matched with an internship at a participating nonprofit, based on each student's skills, interests, and geographical preferences as indicated in their application.

Internship sites for Winter 2024 are forthcoming. Endeavor Fellowship sites from previous years have included:

• Food & Water Watch
• Clean Air Coalition of Western NY
• Story of Stuff
• Cafeteria Culture
• Clean Ocean Action
• Bronx River Alliance
• Grassroots Alliance Against Incineration
• Center for Biological Diversity
• New York Communities for Change
• Rural and Migrant Ministries
• Sane Energy
• Grassroots Environmental Education
• Conservation Law Foundation
• Community Action Works
• National Young Farmers Coalition
• Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
• Resonant Energy
• Make The Road New York

Program Details:

• Students with eligible financial need, as determined by the Office of Financial Aid, will receive partial scholarships, typically ranging from $1,000–$3,000.
• Internships will take place during the 6-week Winter Field Work Term period, which runs from January 2 through February 16, 2024. Fellows will complete 200 internship hours and all other FWT criteria.
• Fellows are required to participate in a 1-credit Pre-Fellowship Class in Fall 2023 and a 1-credit Post-Fellowship Class in Spring 2024. The Pre-Fellowship Class will take place Mondays 1:40PM–3:30PM during the second seven weeks of the term.
• Fellows will also participate in group mentorship activities during the Field Work Term period.
• Fellows are expected to give a formal presentation about their work at the Field Work Term Fellowship Spotlight this upcoming Spring. (This presentation will satisfy the FWT Reflective Project requirement.)

How to Apply

To apply for the Winter 2023 Endeavor Foundation Environmental Action Fellowship, submit the following via this Handshake listing by Monday, October 9, 2023 by 5:00 pm:

1. Your resume
2. A one-page cover letter, clearly indicating why you want to take part in this fellowship, your areas of interest within environmental justice, and the experiences and skills you have relevant to these interests.
3. The "FWT Budget and Site Preferences" form attached to this Handshake listing. Complete this form to indicate your anticipated FWT costs, and any personal and/or family resources you are able to contribute to your FWT costs. You will also be asked to indicate your top three preferred sites, and any sites for which you do not wish to be considered.

30-minute interviews with Judith Enck will be scheduled as applications come in. Applicants will be notified of selection decisions the week of October 24, and are expected to attend the first Pre-Fellowship Class on October 31.

Henry Luce Foundation Fellowship

Program Details

The Henry Luce Foundation Fellowship in Public Action will support a six to seven-week research internship for at least one Bennington College student per year in or more of CAPA’s focus areas: Activating Democracy, Art and Public Action, Environment and Public Action, Human Rights and Peacebuilding, and Progressive Education. Promoting innovative scholarship and cultivating a new generation of changemakers, this fellowship will offer Bennington students a unique opportunity to combine theory with real-world practice.

This fellowship will offer 1–2 Bennington students a unique opportunity to combine theory with real-world practice. The fellowship will be supervised by Susan Sgorbati, Director of CAPA, who will provide ongoing support throughout the term. Candidates’ previous research work and field(s) of interest will be considered, and finalists will be interviewed to determine which student is best qualified for the fellowship. Bennington will employ its broad network of employers and alumni to identify host organizations that would be a good fit for this program.

Students with eligible financial need will receive need-based living stipends, typically ranging from $1,000–$3,000. Fellows will formally present their work during our Fellowship Spotlight event, this upcoming Spring, or its equivalent presentation in the fall. This presentation will satisfy the FWT Reflection Project requirement.

How to Apply

To apply for the Henry Luce Foundation Fellowship, submit the following via Handshake by Monday, October 9, 2023 by 5:00 pm:

1. Your resume
2. A cover letter addressing the following in approximately one page, or one paragraph per question:
   • Please elaborate on the research aspect of your proposed work. What type of research will you be conducting? What methods will you employ? What data will you be collecting?
   • How does this work promote innovative scholarship? 
   • How does this work cultivate changemakers in a particular community?
3. The FWT Budgeting Form attached to this Handshake listing (see "Attachments" on the righthand side). Complete this form to indicate your anticipated FWT costs, and any other personal and/or family resources you are able to contribute to your costs.

Iftekhar Entrepreneurial Fellowship and the Entrepreneurial Option

Eligibility

The Entrepreneurial Option is available to students interested in learning how to start and run their own business or nonprofit, and/or launch themselves as an independent artist or freelancer. Returning students with demonstrated need may also apply to the Iftekhar Entrepreneurial Fellowship.

Program details

Through the Iftekhar Entrepreneurial Fellowship, selected students receive funding and mentorship to spend their FWT pursuing an entrepreneurial venture, such as starting and running their own business or non-profit, or launching themselves as an independent artist. Work may take place anywhere across the globe. This opportunity is available to 1–2 returning students (3rd-term through 7th-term) who meet a minimum need threshold and demonstrate strong merit in their application.

Grants typically range from $1,000–$3,000. Fellowship funds must be used for the FWT plan proposed; if your FWT plans change after being awarded a Fellowship, you will be asked to submit a revised budget, and your award may be reduced or rescinded.

This fellowship is made possible by Adnan Iftekhar '97, who is committed to helping students design their own jobs and advance their business ideas. Fellowship recipients agree to:

• Participate in a preparatory meeting;
• Give a formal presentation about their work during our Fellowship Spotlight event, this upcoming Spring, or its equivalent presentation in the Fall. This presentation will satisfy the FWT Reflection Project requirement
• Complete regular individualized coaching assignments over FWT, given by Adnan

Since the Entrepreneurial Fellowship requires exceptional planning and commitment in order to be successful, students must be in good academic standing and have successfully completed at least one FWT job in a prior year in order to be accepted.

How to Apply 

To apply for the Iftekhar Entrepreneurial Fellowship, submit the following via the Handshake listing by Monday, October 9, 2023 by 5:00 pm:

1. Your resume
2. A cover letter addressing the following in approximately one page, or one paragraph per question:
   • What is your proposed entrepreneurial venture or freelance project?
   • How will this project advance your work as an entrepreneur and/or artist?
   • What key goals do you have for this project over FWT, and how you will measure success? What key milestones (deliverables, meetings, events, and/or actions) will need to happen over the seven weeks of FWT, and by when, in order to reach your goals?
3. The FWT Budgeting Form provided in the Handshake listing. Complete this form to indicate your anticipated FWT costs, whether your proposed FWT provides compensation (and the amount, if applicable), and any other personal and/or family resources you are able to contribute to your FWT costs.

Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation Fellowship

Program Details

Through the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation Fellowships, selected students are placed in internship positions with select off-Broadway theatres and drama organizations. In addition to their internships, Fellows develop together as a peer-supported cohort and receive group mentorship from George Forbes, Executive Director of the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation, and fellowship advisor Shawtane Bowen. Selected students with eligible financial need also receive partial scholarships, which typically range from $1,000-$3,000.

This opportunity is available to 8-12 rising sophomores through seniors (2nd-term through 7th-term), selected based on need and merit factors. The Fellowship is open to students in all disciplines, and a range of internship roles will be available to meet the interests of Drama students and students in other discipline areas.

The 2024 Lortel Fellowship will take place during the Winter Field Work Term (January 2 through February 16), and will include remote and on-site internship options. Host theatres include National Black Theater, Harlem Stage, Pregones/PRTT, INTAR Theatre, Ma-Yi Theater Company, Classical Theatre of Harlem, Billie Holiday Theatre, Amerinda Inc, and Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.

How to Apply

To apply for the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation Fellowship, submit the following via the Handshake listing by Monday, October 9, 2023 by 5:00 pm:

1. Your resume
2. A one-page cover letter. Please clearly indicate your skills or experience in any of the following areas:
   • ​​​​Any skills or experience you have in the following administrative areas:
     • Artistic Management
     • General Management
     • Patron Services
     • Special Events/Marketing
     • Company Management
     • House/Concessions Management
     • Box Office
     • Production Management
   • Any skills or experience you have in the following production areas:
     • Set Construction
     • Scene Painting
     • Wardrobe
     • Properties
     • Lighting
     • Sound
     • Stage Management
   • Any skills or experience you have in other fields, such as:
     • Arts Administration
     • Education
     • Business or Finance
     • Web Design
     • Graphic Design
     • Photo/Video
     • Social Media
     • Communications, Social Media, Writing
3. The FWT Budgeting Form and Remote/Onsite Preference Form, attached to the Handshake listing.

 Applicants will be notified of selection decisions the week of Monday, October 23, 2023.

Mellon Foundation Food Insecurity and Population Health Fellowship

Program Details

Through the Mellon Foundation Food Insecurity & Population Health Fellowship, students will be selected for winter Field Work Term internships focused on various dimensions of population health, with a special focus on food insecurity. Population health is an interdisciplinary approach that leverages non-traditional partnerships across various sectors of a community to achieve positive health outcomes. As access to nutritious food is one of the key social determinants of health, Fellowship roles will be specifically focused on food insecurity.

Population health emphasizes an ecosystem of health-support organizations across a community. As such, fellowship roles will be situated with organizations across the Bennington community working on various dimensions of population health and food insecurity.

Fellowship positions will be paid a stipend of $2,500. 

The Fellowship positions are:

Population Health Community Action Fellow

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) is excited to host a fieldwork term student to partner with SVMC’s VISTA fellow and develop and implement community-based projects. You will work closely with a Bennington College graduate (Sha'mar Dennison '22) to drive innovative community projects that address the critical needs of some of the most vulnerable. You will also be asked to develop and implement an independent project of your own design that aligns with your personal plan at Bennington College.

Population Health Data Mining Fellow

SVMC is excited to host an FWT student interested in partnering with a seasoned healthcare leader (James Trimarchi) and innovative academic faculty member (Katie Montovan) to explore patterns in healthcare data to illuminate opportunities to change people’s health. You will work closely with leaders who will develop your ability to turn concepts into reality through data-driven inquiry and encouragement.

Fellows are expected to participate in a series of two FWT preparatory meetings, dates and location to be announced. Fellows will formally present their work during our Fellowship Spotlight event, this upcoming Spring, or its equivalent presentation in the fall. This presentation will satisfy the FWT Reflection Project requirement.

How to Apply

To apply for any of the Mellon Foundation Food Insecurity & Population Health Fellowship positions, submit the following via the Community Health Project Coordinator Handshake listing by Monday, October 9, 2023 by 5:00 pm:

1. Your resume
2.  A cover letter clearly describing your interest in and qualifications for the position at hand and answering the prompt question outlined in the appropriate listing.
3. The FWT Budgeting Form attached to this Handshake listing (see "Attachments" on the righthand side). Complete this form to indicate your anticipated FWT costs, and any other personal and/or family resources you are able to contribute to your costs.

Newman and Cox Public Action Student Fellowship

Program Details

Through the Newman and Cox Public Action Student Fellowship, selected students complete an FWT position or Independent Study focused on public action, either domestically or internationally, each supported by a grant. Work may take place anywhere across the globe. The Newman and Cox Public Action Student Fellowship is made possible by the generous support of the Jerome A. and Estelle R. Newman Assistance Fund and the Spencer Cox '90 Field Work Term Fellowship for Student Activists.

This opportunity is available to 5–10 returning students (3rd-term through 7th-term) who meet a minimum need threshold and demonstrate strong merit in their application. Grants typically range from $1,000-$3,000. Fellowship funds must be used for the FWT plan proposed; if your FWT plans change after being awarded a Fellowship, you will be asked to submit a revised budget, and your award may be reduced or rescinded.

Fellows are expected to participate in a series of two FWT preparatory meetings, dates and locations to be announced. Fellows will formally present their work during our Fellowship Spotlight event, this upcoming Spring, or its equivalent presentation in the fall. This presentation will satisfy the FWT Reflection Project requirement.

How to Apply

To apply for the Public Action Student Fellowship, submit the following via the Handshake listing by Monday, October 9, 2023 by 5:00 pm:

1. Your resume
2. A cover letter explaining in 1–3 paragraphs (approximately one page) your proposed FWT plan and how it is associated with responding to a pressing world issue and/or advancing the quality of public life.
3. The FWT Budgeting Form provided in the Handshake listing. Complete this form to indicate your anticipated FWT costs, whether your proposed FWT provides compensation (and the amount, if applicable), and any other personal and/or family resources you are able to contribute to your FWT costs.