Performing artists are brilliant and dedicated, working day in and day out to perfect their craft. However, they don’t always get the support they need to feel empowered, confident, and treasured. Hence, world-class ballet dancer Daphne Lee has made it her mission to amplify how artists are living in the 21st century. To further share her love for dancing, Daphne Lee is helping passionate individuals by awarding them with scholarships through the Daphne Lee Artistic Legacy Award.
Currently associated with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Daphne Lee learned dancing firsthand from her late mother, Ms. Jay Skeete-Lee. She graduated with honors from the Alvin Ailey/Fordham BFA program and holds an MFA from Hollins University. Additionally, Daphne is an advocate for Multiple Myeloma Cancer research, a cause dear to her heart as her mother and mentor passed because of the disease.
Daphne Lee is known for being an active voice advocating what it is like to be an artist in a world where support, especially financial, is scarce. Presenting a proactive solution, Daphne launched her own scholarship program dedicated to women of color who are determined to pursue an art degree. The scholarship is also her way of honoring her mother’s legacy.
The Daphne Lee Artistic Legacy Award is a scholarship that will be granted to students pursuing a four-year collegiate program in any of the performing arts degrees. The scholarship not only provides opportunities to accomplish a formal education to lesser fortunate students but also encourages artists to continually pursue their calling.
There is often a prejudice that clouds people’s perception of college degrees revolving around the arts, and Daphne Lee stresses that it’s time to change that. The scholarship is set to challenge the existing notion around art degrees, amplify that such paths have a purpose, and empower students to embrace individualism and creativity. Art degrees also develop skills and allow students to connect to a community of like-minded individuals.
The Daphne Lee Artistic Legacy Award scholarship first began in 2017 and had been consistently providing students every year with every bit of support they need to succeed. In addition, the movement has gained support from communities and professional artists for its significant contribution to the industry of the performing arts.
Furthermore, Daphne Lee is looking for students who want to combine their passion for performing arts with entrepreneurship, finance, or medicine, knowing that such interests will eventually lead them to become more well-rounded artists.
Through the scholarship grant, Daphne wants everyone in the country to understand how crucial it is to hone performing artists and highlight what artists do to get to where they want to be.
“I want people to understand and deconstruct how artists are funded in this country and find ways of supporting the arts the same way people support the sports world. I believe that both are necessary relationships for human joy and development and must be respected,” the dancer explained. “I want people to see arts as a part of their daily lives and support the educational aspect beyond just entertainment. I want stereotypes of artists diminished and to reeducate people that artists have voices; we speak out and are passionate about leaving an impact on this world and leaving it better than how we found it.”
The Daphne Lee Artistic Legacy Award scholarship will be open for applications in February in time for Black History Month. The recipient will be announced on June 19, 2022. Learn more about Daphne Lee on her website.
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