Announcing the 2021 Benenson Award Winners

by Duke Arts
April 19, 2021

Each year, Duke University awards Benenson Awards in the Arts, which provide funding for arts-centered projects proposed by undergraduates, including graduating seniors. This year, the Benenson selection committee awarded prizes to fourteen students for creative projects spanning music, film, theater, visual arts, audio, and writing.

“While the spring has brought some hopeful, positive news regarding vaccinations and arts institutions beginning to return to work, there are still concerns and considerations about safety and the industry as a whole has undergone tremendous financial upheaval. Summer 2021 is still uncertain on many fronts.

With this current circumstance in mind, we made the choice to continue distributing a set award amount and asked this year’s applicants to construct summer plans with that amount and the continuing COVID circumstances in mind. In early April, the faculty committee, representing the array of visual, performing, and creative arts departments at Duke, met, evaluated proposals, and selected awardees. The hope is that these funds will support and sustain their artistic work that continues to compromise and comply with COVID restrictions.

Like last year, we’ve asked this year’s awardees to share their stories about meeting this moment and look forward to sharing those stories with you next fall.”

Jules Odendahl-James, Ph.D

Chair, Benenson Selection Committee

Director of Academic Engagement, Arts & Humanities

Lecturer, Theater Studies