The Alma Schapiro Prize
For a Three-month Classical Design Fellowship at The American Academy in Rome

The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is pleased to offer the Alma Schapiro Prize, which alternates years with the Rieger Graham Prize. The Alma Schapiro Prize is to advance the career of an artist recipient and to foster the continuity of knowledge of the classical tradition as a vital aspect of contemporary culture around the globe.

The centerpiece of the prize is a three-month affiliated fellowship at the American Academy in Rome, the premier American overseas center for independent study and research in the fine arts and humanities. The total award will include Academy fees, travel allotment and award stipend. The proposed three-month stay must begin between September of the prize year and May of the following year.

The prize is open to United States citizens who are at least 21 years of age. A formal Bachelor of Fine Arts or Master of Fine Arts degree is not required, although some rigorous training and above all career accomplishment in painting or sculpture tied in expression and technique to contemporary classicism are essential for competitive applications.
View 2018 Submission Criteria

Context 

The Alma Schapiro Prize is the result of an endowment grant from the Morris and Alma Schapiro Fund of New York City. The Schapiro family was eager to create this fitting prize in Alma Schapiro’s name. Proceeds from this restricted endowment will allow its award every other year beginning in 2007 and continuing on a permanent basis. Fund trustees Linda Schapiro Collins and painter Jacob Collins were guiding advocates and the Institute acknowledges them gratefully.


Award categories
Three-month Classical Design Fellowship at The American Academy in Rome
Winners from
Katie Whipple
Will St. John
D. Jeffrey Mims
Michael Grimaldi

Portrait of Pat, Jon Brogie

Ara Pacis Relief, Anthony Baus

Anna, Will St. John, Oil on Canvas, 11 x 14 inches, 2009

Dying Man, Will St. John, Finished Clay, 32 inches, 2010

Allegory Of Painting, D. Jeffrey Mims

Submissions

Please note that the deadline for submissions to the 2019 Alma Schapiro Prize has passed.

Application Documents

Applicants must submit the following:

  • Statement of intent which describes how you would use your fellowship at the American Academy in Rome, and why this point in your career is an opportune time for this experience. (Maximum 500 words)
  • Seven images showcasing your work, whether accomplished in school or in the field as a practicing professional (must describe your role and others’ roles, if applicable). Images must be TIF, PNG or JPG with a maximum file size of 2MB
  • CV/Bio (Maximum 2 pages)
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • All submission materials should be submitted via this online application. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

Criteria

In addition to the merits of the applicant’s career accomplishment, whatever its respective length along with persuasive expression of interest in living and working in Rome as an affiliated Academy Fellow, the jury will look for exceptional artistic talent and technical skill as measured by the submitted samples of past work. The jury will judge such talent by both its conception and its manual execution. Evidence of strong theoretical underpinnings as expressed in the accompanying essay will enhance the application.

Requirements

Winners are expected to join the great legacy of artists finding the classical tradition in Rome. The fellowship provides an opportunity for the winner to advance his or her art by drawing from the unique milieu of the American Academy and its host city as inspiration and interlude.

The ICAA reserves the right to publish, electronically post or display at its national headquarters a representative sampling of the work(s) of art produced at the Academy within one year of the fellowship’s completion. One image may be used in future promotion of the Alma Schapiro Prize for subsequent application rounds. Such work results will remain the property of the artist but permission to so reproduce or display must be granted by the artist recipient prior to departing; decisions about where and how to so show will be made by Institute staff in partnership with the Prize jury. It is the responsibility of the ICAA to cover any and all related display costs such as digital photography or transport as deemed most appropriate.

Eligibility

A formal Bachelor of Fine Arts or Master of Fine Arts degree is not required, although some rigorous training and above all career accomplishment in painting or sculpture tied in expression and technique to contemporary classicism are essential for competitive applications. The prize will be limited to citizens of the United States of America. Candidates must be at least 21 years of age.

Timetable

The proposed three-month stay must begin between September of the prize year and May of the following year.

Please Inquire 

Contact Edith Platten ([email protected]) or call 212-730-9646 ext. 113 with questions.