FUND FOR THE ARTS AWARDS DISTINGUISHED WHITTENBERG SCHOLARSHIP TO THREE LOCAL STUDENTS

The Whittenberg Committee bestows the prestigious Whittenberg Scholarship to three talented
 Louisville and Southern Indiana students pursuing the performing arts

Louisville, KY— The Fund for the Arts announced that Emily Newton, Jordan Daugherty, and Sara King are the winners of this year’s Whittenberg Scholarship.  Established in 1987 by Joan Whittenberg, the William Tolbert Whittenberg Scholarship for Excellence was designed to enable gifted students an opportunity to pursue advanced study or a professional career in the performing arts.  “I continue to be awed by the talent, compassion, and dedication of these young students of the performing arts,” stated Joan Whittenberg.  “They deserve to be recognized and helped.” 

Of the 10 finalists chosen to audition for the scholarship, three talented students from the Louisville Southern-Indiana area were honored with the Whittenberg Scholarship. Actor Emily Newton was granted the $2,500 Grand Prize to be used for tuition for the Dell’Arte School Physical Theatre Program in California. A local student already prominent in the region’s theatre scene, Newton has studied theatre for over 9 years at Walden Theatre under Charlie Sexton, Barrett Cooper and Alec Volz.

In Newton’s scholarship essay, a part of the application process that accompanies a formal audition, she said: “I wish to build a career in theatre…which reaches out to the audience with not only a story but also a message that makes people think differently about their assumptions.” Newton will begin her studies this Fall at the Dell’Arte School, the only professional actor-training program of its kind, with other theatre students from around the globe.

Honorable Mention winner, Sara King, was awarded $1,000 to be used for tuition at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, where she will attend this Fall to major in musical theater. King has been performing for 8 years on stage and currently studies vocal performance with Debbie King Raque. King has been in local productions with New Albany High School, Derby Dinner Playhouse and Music Theatre Louisville.  Recently King was named as one of 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts, the first Indiana resident to receive the national honor since 1997.

Jordan Daugherty also won Honorable Mention recognition as well as a $1,000 scholarship she will use for tuition to George Mason University to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance. Daugherty has spent 15 years dancing and currently studies under Elizabeth Hartwell at the Louisville Ballet. She most recently graduated from the Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville.

“Once again, the talent of the students who entered the competition dazzled the judging committee” said Allan Cowen, President and CEO of the Fund for the Arts. “It goes to show that the arts education and training opportunities in our region is far and above some of the best in the country.”

The Fund for the Arts coordinates the Whittenberg Scholarship process.  Given each year, the amount of the Whittenberg Scholarship can range from $2,000 to $5,000.  “I want to thank the Fund for the Arts and the judges for their participation. I only wish I could do more,” said Joan Whittenberg.

Fund for the Arts
Celebrating 30 Years of Employee/Workplace Giving to the Arts! The Fund for the Arts provides programming and administrative support to twenty-four member groups and programs, including grants to nearly 200 community organizations and schools, throughout the Louisville, Kentucky region. The Fund for the Arts is the oldest united arts fund in the country and has raised over $125 million in the community since its establishment in 1949. The Fund for the Arts receives partial funding from the Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.