A Word of Thanks

This Tuesday, the supporters of the Summer Academy gathered in the inner courtyard of the Alte Saline Hallein, under a surprisingly blue sky for a change, to get a sneak preview on the works that will be presented to the public this Friday, the 5th of August, at our open day.

Before touring the different classes, looking at the works already hung there and talking to instructors and students, the awardees presented themselves, briefly illuminating their background and their work here at the Summer Academy. Annually about 70 grants are given out from different organisations and also private persons in order to make the Summer Academy even more open to all kinds of people. As one stipendiary put it "We are poor people in Serbia, it would have never been possible for me to come here otherwise. So thank you all very much." The thanks go right back as our stipends always enrich their courses and the whole of the academy greatly.

According to Hildegund Amanshauser, head of the Summer Academy, this year over 300 people from all over the globe applied for a grant, which on the one hand makes us very happy about all this interest and that the demographic of our students is shifting towards the young, on the other hand we wish we could give out even more stipends. We're always looking for new ways to gain support, so we'll see about next year.

For now, let's enjoy the fantastic art being made by the ones who are here now. [mp]