American Photographic Artists (APA) Awards Photographer Scholarships

November 13, 2013 (PRLEAP.COM) Entertainment News
The American Photographic Artists proudly awards annual scholarships to two talented photographers this month through the Young Photographers Alliance and the Lucie Foundation.

Sammie Anselmo was awarded the Young Photographers Alliance scholarship with her work at the Art Institute of Chicago, and Elizabeth Herman won the joint scholarship from the APA and Lucie Foundation after documenting the lives of American women engaged in combat.

"APA is pleased to be involved in programs that not only nurture the future of the photography business but also encourage emerging photographers to indulge their passion and bring their personal projects to fruition," says Juliette Wolf-Robin, APA National Executive Director.

The 2013/14 APA/Young Photographer's Alliance Award will be officially awarded to Sammie Anselmo at the first GALA event on held May 15, 2014 at the Morgan Library in New York City. The Freshman in Photography at the Art Institute of Chicago writes that she "exposes the issues we as a society often neglect." She states that she concentrates "not only on the beautiful parts of life" but also "with the issues that are often hidden in shame, kept a secret, or left in denial."

The APA/YPA scholarship allows young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to realize their artistic dreams and give back to their communities. Scholarship recipients are selected not only for their ability and their need, but also for their demonstrated commitment to giving back to the larger community through their work.

New York based photographer and researcher Elizabeth D. Herman was presented the APA/Lucie Foundation scholarship award at Carnegie Hall on October 27, 2013 at the Lucie Awards. For the last three years, her work has documented the lives of US women engaged in combat roles worldwide, and she endeavors to tell the "significantly under-documented" stories they share. Her proposed project will focus on female veterans in Los Angeles.

APA President Theresa Raffetto says, "The Lucie Foundation and the American Photographic Artists are proud to support emerging talent and professionals with vision and dynamic ideas that challenge and progress the art form of still photography into work that compels." Through the Lucie Scholarship, a grant of $5,000 is awarded to a professional photographer at work on a specific, dynamic project.

About American Photographic Artists (APA)
The American Photographic Artists (http://www.apanational.com) is a leading national organization run by and for professional photographers. With a culture that promotes a spirit of mutual cooperation, sharing and support, APA offers outstanding benefits, educational programs and essential business resources to help its members achieve their professional and artistic goals. Headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico with chapters in Atlanta, Los Angeles, the Midwest, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Charlotte, Colorado, the Northwest, Washington, DC, and APA Editorial Photographers, APA strives to improve the environment for photographic artists and clear the pathways to success in the industry. Recognized for its broad industry reach, APA continues to expand benefits for its members and works to champion the rights of photographers and image-makers worldwide.

About Young Photographers Alliance
Inspiring, educating, and empowering the next generation of photographers. Initially founded in New York in 2009 by Jerry Tavin and Deborah Free, the Young Photographers Alliance was created to inspire and empower young, gifted photographers. Led by industry professionals, YPA provides aspiring image-makers with access to the kind of practical industry knowledge, experience, resources, and contacts they need to build sustainable careers as photography professionals.

About the Lucie Foundation
The Lucie Foundation's three-fold mission is to honor master photographers, discover and cultivate emerging talent and celebrate the appreciation of photography worldwide. Signature programs include the annual Lucie Awards recognizing and honoring the greatest achievements in photography, annually, and The Month of Photography Los Angeles. The Lucie Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable foundation.