I Hollis Parry/Ann Parry Billman Fine Arts Graduate Award

Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts

The deadline for Student Submissions is February 23, 2026

The I. Hollis Parry/Ann Parry Billman Fine Arts Award is offered in the spirit of inspiring new arts-related creative activity that will stimulate thoughts, insights, and ideas. A primary goal is to help talented graduate students realize an ambitious and influential project that may not otherwise be possible due to financial restrictions. Funding may be used for, but is not limited to, international research; solo/collaborative performance; public engagement projects; travel to an on-location project site; to build, purchase, or rent equipment; etc. The award provides project support as well as funding to increase the public impact and dissemination of outstanding projects through marketing/public relations/social media to connect with communities beyond the School and College.

Each of the six schools within the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts (Art + Design, Dance, Film, Interdisciplinary Arts, Music, Theater) will identify one nominee to put forward for consideration of this award at the college-level. Additionally, a seventh pool may be formed by applicants from the Master of Arts in Health and the Master of Arts Administration degrees; and by students proposing inter-School collaborative projects. A “Fine Arts+” committee will select one nominee from this additional pool to move forward to the college-level. Of these potentially seven nominees, one will be selected by CoFA to receive the $5000 I. Hollis Parry/Ann Parry Billman Fine Arts Award. The remaining nominees will receive a $1,000 Project Development Award. Funding will be dispersed at the end of the semester in which the award was received.

Eligibility

All degree-seeking graduate students enrolled full-time in the College of Fine Arts are eligible to apply for this award.
Applicants must be pursuing their graduate degree at the time of project completion. (Note: Funding is not dispersed until May 2026; therefore, those graduating in Spring 2026 may not be eligible.)
While projects of individual graduate students are most common, proposals that involve collaboration between 2 or more graduate students are also encouraged. Interdisciplinary or community collaborations are also permissible, both within CoFA, within OU and externally. For example, projects that involve the Kennedy Museum, Athena Cinema, Tantrum Theater could be considered, or collaborations with OU’s entrepreneurship, fashion merchandising, advertising, engineering, and healthcare programs. External organizations, such as, Passion Works, ARTS/West, Athens Photographic Project, Dairy Barn, O’Bleness Hospital, and others could all yield fruitful partnerships. Please refer to the Appendix regarding collaborative proposals.

Some Examples of Possible Projects

A proposal to work with a local arts organization or the local schools to create a work of public art with supporting letters from the organization as well as the City of Athens and/or the school.
A proposal to complete research in a particular area of the arts at an offsite location and then to create a public symposium or website around the completed research.
A proposal for a series of performances at regional museums, schools, theaters, historic buildings, etc.; accompanied by supporting letters from the museums.
An interdisciplinary engagement with a student from another artistic field or from a business field, such as entrepreneurship or marketing.
A proposal for a work of art that will be displayed by a particular gallery, museum, public building, with a support letter from said partnerships.
A proposal for a project that requires on-site work and a list of festivals/conferences where the project will be submitted and a public-relations plan to support the project.

Proposal Components

Project Narrative (4-page limit):

The project narrative will be comprised of a clear and detailed description of the project, no more than 4 double-spaced pages in length. It must include the following:

The purpose of this project as it relates to the student’s pursuit of their graduate degree at Ohio University must be explained.
The project’s significance, aims, originality and overall contribution to the fine arts must be discussed. If appropriate, the student’s methodologies should be addressed.
The student must demonstrate an understanding of how this project relates to similar creative projects or past research by others within this specific field.

Budget Outline & Description

Clearly outline anticipated expenditures related to the project, such as, materials, equipment, travel, lodging, personnel, etc.; and justify each of the expenditures. In addition, the budget must specify how at least 5% of the budget will be devoted to a public- impact/marketing plan. The budget should also identify potential external sources of grant funding, should the total budget exceed the amount of potential funding.

Public Impact Statement

Describe how the project will have an impact beyond the School and College. Identify who the anticipated audience will be and a marketing plan for the projects. A public-impact statement may include everything from a plan for marketing, social media, community engagement, festivals, conferences, websites, lectures, to performances. Firm and well-articulated plans for public impact that address specificity, methods, range, and dissemination goals will strengthen the application.

Draft Press Release

In anticipation of the project’s completion and presentation to the intended audience, write a draft version of the public announcement.

Timeline

Create a clear timeline directly related to the research that will be conducted and/or the creative activity undertaken. Note that award funding will be dispersed at the end of Spring term and the project must be completed prior to the student’s graduation.

Audio-Visual support materials (if applicable to the project)

This can include sketches, reference imagery, diagrams, hyperlinks to recordings/videos, scores, transcriptions, schematics, charts or other materials that will assist the committee in more fully understanding the intent of the project. Please provide image captions with brief context as to the reason for their inclusion.

CV/Resume

Limit of 1-2 pages.

DARS

A copy of your DARS report.

External letters of support (if applicable to the project)

Brief letters of support from any potential partners, collaborators, galleries, venues, publications, conferences, organizations, etc. who are listed in the proposal should be included.

Nomination Letter

A letter of nomination and support from the student’s primary mentor/advisor must be included.

Guidance Regarding Your Proposal

Paper copies of all previous winning proposals are available for review in person in Jennings House. Keep in mind that many of these proposals do not completely match all of the current guidelines. Please contact Paula Morrison (morrisop@ohio.edu) to schedule a time to review these proposals.

Students are highly encouraged to work with their mentor/advisor when developing and writing this proposal. In addition, there will be general Q&A sessions scheduled with the CoFA Billman Award Committee. Contact Karla Hackenmiller (hackenmi@ohio.edu) for specific questions.

Proposal Review Process

Each School will identify a small committee to review proposals and determine their School’s Billman Award nominee. This top proposal will then be forwarded on to the Associate Dean, hackenmi@ohio.edu. Similarly, the “Fine Arts+” committee will review and select a Billman Award nominee to forward to the college-level. Then, the CoFA Billman Award committee, consisting of a representative from each School offering a graduate degree program, will evaluate these proposals.

As part of the review process, the CoFA Billman Award nominees must orally present a “5-minute pitch” to the CoFA committee. Based on a combination of this oral presentation and the written proposal, the committee will select the $5,000 I. Hollis Parry/Ann Parry Billman Award winner. Billman nominees who do not win the Billman Award will receive a $1,000 Project Development Grant.

2026 Deadlines and Details Regarding Student Proposals

February 23: Deadline for student proposal submission to School Director*

Each student's proposal must be submitted to the School Director in a single PDF.
Letter of Support: The student's mentor/advisor (the faculty member who best understands the nature of the student's project) submits a letter of support separately to the Director to accompany the completed proposal.
*Notes to School Director: When received, submissions should be forwarded to your School’s award committee for review and selection of your School’s Billman nominee. Once these decisions have been made it is highly recommended that the student’s thesis advisor, the School award committee, and/or the Director work with the students to help make final edits to their proposal prior to the CoFA submission deadline. Based on past winning submissions, it is clear that this guidance considerably strengthens proposals. Similarly, each of these students will benefit from faculty assistance in preparing their 5-minute oral presentations to the CoFA Billman Award committee.

March 6: Deadline for submission of Schools’ Billman nominee to the CoFA Billman Fine Arts Award Committee (hackenmi@ohio.edu). Schools should also notify all applicants of their decisions by this same day.

March 23 – March 27:Required 5-minute ‘Pitch’ to the CoFA Billman Award committee to orally present their project. Guidelines and specific scheduling will be sent to each nominee by one week prior.

April 3:Award Recipients Selected and notified by the CoFA Billman Award Committee.

Requirements for the Awards

Requirements of the Billman Fine Arts Award Recipient

The I. Hollis Parry/Ann Parry Billman Fine Arts Award recipient must participate in a meeting with members of the Billman family, the CoFA Dean, and their School Director/Mentor in April/May.
The recipient may also be invited to participate in college functions, such as the CoFA Leadership Council retreat.
After the Billman Fine Arts Award recipient has completed the project or research as described in the student’s winning proposal, the award recipient must send a summary of the results to the Dean of the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts. This will then be shared with the Billman family.
The student may also choose to occasionally update the Billman family on the progress of the project, although this is optional.
The award-winning proposal will be used as an example for the benefit of future applicants.

Requirements of the Project Development Award Recipients

These funding recipients are not expected to complete the full project that they initially proposed. Instead, they will be asked to submit a revised budget and short description of some aspect or portion of the originally proposed project that can be accomplished with the $1000 award. This must be approved by the Dean’s office prior to disbursement of the award. All proposals that receive funding will be used as examples for the benefit of future applicants.

2026 Award Winning Proposals

Billman Award Winner - $5000

Project Title: Tejiendo lo Invisible/Weaving the Invisible

Tejiendo lo Invisible/Weaving the Invisible is an Interdisciplinary project that articulates music, video installation, and dance through the perspectives of artists from different cultural backgrounds. The project, which includes a live performance and an album recording, explores themes of movement, migration, and cultural identity through the concept of invisibility and highlights how unseen and silenced histories hold significant value in the creation, dissemination, and preservation of the arts.

The live performance features a discussion panel that aims to engage the audience and the artists in a conversation about the role of the arts in building global communities. Tejiendo lo Invisible plays with the contrast between the tangible and intangible. Instead of conventional media formats, the album is presented in a functional leather piece designed by Colombian artists to hold essential items. Each object will include a QR code linking to streaming platforms, and a direct download option for those without subscriptions to these services. The object will be shaped like a whale. These majestic singing creatures symbolize the essence of this project: the transience of migratory communities; the permanence of intergenerational communication; and the universality of music as social connection.

Johanna Amaya Conejo, School of Interdisciplinary Arts

Amy Ali and Rebecca Larson - School of Theater ($1000)

Project Title: Spring Awakening

We will be putting on a production of the musical Spring Awakening, which will be performed in tandem with a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio-Columbus. Spring Awakening is a controversial play about teenage sexuality in late-nineteenth century Germany, set to rock music to enhance the angsty aura this season of life holds. The story follows a group of friends coming of age: they navigate growing up in an oppressive society that weaponizes [sex] education. The musical explores themes of sexuality, identity and mental health. Our intent with this project is to connect with the city of Athens beyond the university, and to have conversations about the issues covered in the musical that are prevalent in this community.

Chuck Sipps - Film ($1000)

Project Title: Up Chuck

Up Chuck follows a simple premise: over the course of five months, Chuck attempts to learn a kip-up—a back-to-feet acrobatic maneuver often seen in martial arts, dance, and professional wrestling. Without relying on online tutorials, he seeks guidance from friends, acquaintances, instructors, and strangers, trying anything that sounds even remotely plausible. What begins as a physical challenge gradually becomes an exploration of masculinity, body image, and the pressure to perform competence. Blending earnest reflection with understated humor, the film reveals how failure, vulnerability, and persistence shape the process of self-discovery.

Hanna Needles - School of Dance ($1000)

Project Title: People Dancing: International Professional Development and Local Application

This project brings UK-based community dance facilitation methods to Athens County, Ohio. People Dancing, a UK organization promoting participatory dance for people of all ages and abilities, offers a summer program that trains facilitators in evidence-based approaches connecting movement and wellbeing. Following the program, Hanna Needles will lead two workshops: a student workshop at Ohio University, where participants will explore facilitation strategies through guided exercises and collaborative planning, and a public workshop at Athens County Public Library – The Plains Branch, inviting participants to connect with their community, move their bodies, and create together. The public workshop is open to all ages and requires no prior dance experience, welcoming everyone to participate while celebrating creativity and supporting local engagement in dance.

Julia Chandler - School of Music ($1000)

Project Title: Cultivating Community and Continuity: A Mentorship Model for Suzuki Integration

Cultivating Community and Continuity is a project to develop a Suzuki informed curriculum and pedagogical basis for the string program at the Athens Community Music School. The funding for this project will go towards Suzuki certification for a graduate student, as well as the application of Suzuki teaching techniques into the private violin studio and heterogenous orchestra classrooms through ACMS. A string curriculum will be developed based off of the findings of this project. Group classes will be offered for families to learn more about the Suzuki method, as well as workshops for string teachers interested in integrating Suzuki techniques into their studios. Finally, the findings of this project will be submitted to OMEA for presentation.

Rajesh Dehar - School of Art + Design ($1000)

Project Title: Made in Bangladesh

Made in Bangladesh is an immersive exhibition rooted in collaboration with families whose lives have been shaped by garment factory disasters in Bangladesh, critically engaging the global garment industry through collaborative material practice and spatial storytelling. The project unfolds across two phases: an initial period of field research and participatory workshops in Gazipur, Bangladesh, where families impacted by factory disasters co-create memorial T-shirts, followed by the fabrication and installation of a sculptural environment at Majestic Galleries in Nelsonville, Ohio. These collaboratively produced garments function as both memorial artifacts and structural elements, embedding lived experience directly into the physical form of the exhibition. Through a choreographed spatial progression of constrained passageways, the exhibition invites viewers to physically navigate the interdependent systems of labor, risk and consumption. By foregrounding shared authorship and ethical engagement, Made in Bangladesh challenges extractive modes of representation and proposes an alternative model in which communities most affected by industrial catastrophe actively shape how their histories are materially and publicly expressed.

2025 WINNERS

Questions?

There will be open Q&A sessions scheduled with the CoFA Billman Fine Arts Award. Specific questions can also be directed to: Karla Hackenmiller, Associate Dean, hackenmi@ohio.edu.

APPENDIX: Collaborative proposals

This funding is intended to benefit graduate students in the College of Fine Arts. Therefore, proposals for collaborations with those outside of CoFA, must list at least one, eligible CoFA graduate student as the principal investigator for the project. If awarded, the CoFA student(s) listed will be responsible for the project’s expenditures. All graduate students included in the proposal must secure a letter of support from their mentor/advisor and must participate in the “5-minute Pitch” segment of the review process.
Students who wish to collaborate across schools within CoFA, will submit their proposals to the “Fine Arts+” committee for review (hackenmi@ohio.edu). All graduate students included in the proposal must secure a letter of support from their mentor/advisor and must participate in the “5-minute Pitch” segment of the review process.

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