The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation is the charitable arm of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The Foundation’s educational and preservation programs include the Summer Internship program, the College Television Awards, the Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship and The Interviews: An Oral History of Television which chronicles the stories of TV's pioneers, innovators, artists and legends.[1]
College Television Awards
The College Television Awards recognize excellence in college student-produced video, digital and film productions. Every year, students from across the nation are given the opportunity to submit their projects to one of twelve categories, including “Animation,” “Documentary,” “Drama,” and “Music (Best Composition)”.[2] The College Television Awards are also known as College Emmy Awards.[3] In the eighties it was also called "Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Frank O’Connor Memorial Award".
The Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship was launched in 2009 to recognize student filmmakers who shed light on people with disabilities.[4] In addition to monetary awards, winners have access to a television industry mentor and in-person pitch meeting.[5] The winners are honored at the College Television Awards Gala, held every March in Los Angeles.[6]
The Summer Internship Program places college students in companies such as NBC, HBO, Sony and Warner Bros.[11] for 8 weeks in Los Angeles to learn hands-on from professionals in a chosen field.[12] There is a $4000 stipend and students work full 40-hour work weeks.[13] The 30 different fields students can choose from include Animation, Casting, Cinematography, Editing, Music, Publicity, Television Scriptwriting and Unscripted Television.[14]
Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship
The Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship, was created to further the values and principles of television icon Fred Rogers, creator and long-time host of the PBS show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” for 34 years.[15] It is annually given to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in children’s media, with a rigorous selection process culminating in a $10,000 award to the three chosen recipients.[16] The grants are underwritten by Ernst & Young and winners also receive mentors who work with them throughout the school year.[17][18] Applicants demonstrate their commitment to children’s programming by having experience in at least two of the following fields: Early Childhood Education, Child Development and Psychology, Television / Film Production, Music or Animation. In 2010, the Scholarships were handed out at the inaugural Fred Forward Conference in Pittsburgh, Fred Rogers’ hometown.[19] There were nearly 100 applicants and around 150 attendees.[20]
