Schaeffer-Sharadin Fellows & KU Arts Hall of Fame
The KU Arts Society’s Schaeffer-Sharadin Fellow designation is intended to be a mark of distinction that recognizes Kutztown University alumni, faculty, faculty emeriti, and other KU-affiliated individuals, couples, or groups of individuals from around the world who have made outstanding contributions to the study, teaching, and/or practice of the visual and/or performing arts.
FELLOW: An individual, couple, or group of individuals that are honored by the KU Arts Society and named as a Fellow, which includes them joining the ranks of other distinguished artists and art supporters who each maintain the prestigious title in perpetuity and, as such, will be added to the Kutztown University Arts Hall of Fame.
Each year, no more than six new Schaeffer-Sharadin Fellows will be awarded, including no more than two from each of the following three Fellowship categories:
Performing Arts Fellow—An individual, couple, or group that has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the study, teaching, and/or practice of a discipline that falls under the Performing Arts: i.e. music (instrumental and/or vocal), dance, drama, theater and musical theater, writing (screen and/or stage), directing, producing, production and design (costuming, sets, props, audio, lighting, and editing for screen and/or stage), spoken word, comedy, magic and illusion, mime, puppetry, circus arts, and performance arts. A Performing Arts Fellow must be a KU Alumnus, Faculty, or Faculty Emeriti in good standing with the University.
Visual Arts Fellow—An individual, couple, or group that has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the study, teaching, and/or practice of a discipline that falls under the Visual Arts: i.e. painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, digital design, crafts, woodwork, metalwork, stone, mixed media, conceptual arts, textiles and architecture. A Visual Arts Fellow must be a KU Alumnus, Faculty, or Faculty Emeriti in good standing with the University.
Patron of the Arts Fellow—An individual, couple, or group that has demonstrated substantial support to the arts and Kutztown University through philanthropic support, arts administration, arts education, and/or advocacy. A Patron of the Arts Fellow is not required to be a KU Alumnus, Faculty, or Faculty Emeriti but must be in good standing with the University.
KU ARTS HALL OF FAME
The KU Arts Hall of Fame will be located in the PSECU Wing of Schaeffer Auditorium on the campus of Kutztown University. Those named Schaeffer-Sharadin Fellows will be featured on display for all time, highlighting the prominence of KU’s relationship with the highest caliber of artists and art supporters.
NOMINATION: Kutztown University administration, faculty, staff, students, Kutztown University Foundation, leadership of regional arts organizations, other stakeholders of Kutztown University, and community members with ties to KU may submit nominations on an ongoing basis to the Kutztown University Arts Society for consideration. The Society will select successful candidates in the spring of each year. Selection is limited to two individuals (or couples or groups) in each category annually. Since the Fellows will be awarded based on merit, there is no requirement that each category must have representation, and there may be years where no Fellows are awarded at all.
For a nomination to be formally accepted, a completed nomination form must be submitted to the KU Arts Society’s selection committee. The nomination form can be completed online by clicking NOMINATION FORM, or a paper version can be picked up/dropped off at the KU Presents! Box Office on the second floor of Schaeffer Auditorium (during Box Office hours).
*For nominees to be considered in the upcoming award year, the nomination must be received by no later than the first Friday of the calendar year, except when the New Year holiday falls on that day and therefore extending the deadline to the second Friday in January. Once an individual, couple, or group is formally nominated, that nomination will remain eligible for three consecutive years. After that time has passed, they must be formally nominated again to be considered for selection. The Kutztown University Arts Society will manage and maintain the nomination pool.