(PRESS RELEASE) The Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation announces that its 2021 scholarship program is now open to applicants through April 30, 2021. WJA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that offers a variety of scholarships and grants to support the professional growth and educational endeavors of female and female-identifying students in the jewelry and watch industries. Applications will count for the following spring scholarships: the Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship ($5,000), the WJA-Gabriel Love Foundation Student Scholarship ($5,000), and several student scholarships ($1,000-$7,000).
To complement WJA’s mission of helping women in the jewelry and watch industries advance and develop professionally, every year the WJA Foundation awards approximately $30,000 in scholarships to advance the education of women in areas such as jewelry design, CAD, gemology, and business development. 2021 is the first year that WJA Foundation grants and scholarships will be separated by season. Scholarship applications are open in the spring to maximize the opportunity for students, and grant applications will open in the fall to help small business owners and jewelry professionals plan for the year ahead.
Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship
The WJA Foundation established the Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship in 2016 in memory of one of the jewelry industry’s most beloved and respected members. Cindy Edelstein was a champion of the jewelry design community and understood the unique business and career challenges that new talent faces. WJA’s $5,000 annual scholarship is designed for emerging fine jewelry designers or artisans, and memorializes Cindy’s tireless pursuit of educating, mentoring, and coaching aspiring entrepreneurs.
WJA-Gabriel Love Foundation Student Scholarship
The Gabriel & Co. partnership enables WJA to award the $5,000 WJA-Gabriel Love Foundation Student Scholarship each year. The scholarship is awarded to a deserving student enrolled in design or non-design courses through a jewelry or metalsmithing program at an accredited college, university, or training school.
2021 Student Scholarships
The WJA Foundation provides various scholarships to students enrolled in jewelry or metalsmithing programs at an accredited college, university, or training school between August 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022. Recipients are selected by a jury in early June and are awarded scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $7,000. Student applicants are not required to be members of WJA but are encouraged to join its membership for free. Scholarships in the WJA scholarship program are awarded in three categories:
The first category is the Designer/Creator category, based on images of finished pieces that are designed and created by the student. Second, the Designer category, based on designs by the student, includes CAD and drawings, and third, the Non-Designer category, which is essay-based for those studying to be a gemologist, appraiser, watchmaker, bench jeweler, or retailer.
To apply and to learn more, click here.
To join WJA visit here.
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Questions about scholarships or the Women’s Jewelry Association, can be directed to WJA Executive Director, Jennifer Markas at jennifer@womensjewelryassociation.com.
