As part of Salt’s commitment to training the next generation of storytellers, we are pleased to offer the Spotify Studios Union Scholarship. The scholarship focuses on supporting the work of storytellers with a diverse set of lived experiences who are admitted into the 15-week Salt Institute for Documentary Studies Graduate Certificate Program at Maine College of Art & Design in the Radio & Podcasting track.
Salt Institute and Spotify Studios Union are committed to training storytellers to tell stories in ways that are equitable and inclusive. We also recognize that the field of documentary studies has often reinforced the inequality present in our societies, rather than challenging it. As part of our missions, we are committed to transforming this field so that it reflects and amplifies a breadth of experiences, identities, and voices.
Purpose
Spotify Studios (formerly known as Gimlet Media) was the first podcast company to unionize back in 2019. Making our workplace—and the audio industry—more diverse and inclusive was a core reason we organized, and it continues to be a primary focus for our union. In that spirit, our unit members have decided to underwrite this scholarship at Salt Institute.
The Spotify Studios Union Scholarship is awarded to provide skills needed to pursue a career in audio to exemplary admitted students whose applications reflect a diversity of perspectives and lived experiences and who demonstrate qualities of determination and courage. Our hope is to contribute toward a more diverse community of storytellers—within Salt and MECA&D, at Spotify Studios, and in the industry at large.
Amount
The Spotify Studios Union Scholarship will cover tuition, fees, and room & board in its entirety for one student each semester.
In addition, the scholarship’s recipient will be paired with a current employee of Gimlet Media/Spotify Studios who can serve as a mentor. The student will check in with their mentor four times over the course of a year—twice during their semester at Salt, and twice in the following months. It is our hope that this will provide the student with additional support should they choose to pursue a career in audio.
Eligibility
The scholarship is awarded to one admitted student whose application materials, including digital portfolio, personal essay, résumé, CV, and/or other information demonstrates the individual’s ability to contribute to the community through qualities that the Spotify Studios Union and MECA&D seek to promote, including:
- Bringing unique life experiences, cultural viewpoints, and insights to the campus community that can enrich the overall learning environment at MECA&D;
- Demonstrating firsthand experience of social injustice issues and systemic inequalities who can speak effectively as advocates for change on campus and in the broader community;
- Overcoming hardship or demonstrating courage or determination based on the applicant’s lived experiences.
Any student wishing to be considered for this scholarship must complete their application on or before the Priority Application Deadline (see How to Apply for details). Applicants must also indicate they are applying for the Spotify Studios Union Scholarship through their application.
In addition, applicants should either have a complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a FAFSA waiver on file at the College. If you are ineligible for federal student aid, or choose not to complete a FAFSA, you may request a FAFSA waiver from the Financial Aid office. To check your FAFSA status or to submit a FAFSA waiver, please be in touch with our Financial Aid office at finaid@meca.edu.
To accept this scholarship, the recipient must agree to enroll within 15 days of notice. Due to the competitive nature of the scholarship, students accepting this scholarship cannot defer their enrollment.
Criteria
Every applicant is different, and MECA&D strives to engage in an equitable admissions process that evaluates applicants using three criteria:
- Strength of portfolio
- Breadth and depth of personal essay
- Academic achievement
Recipients demonstrate preparedness for the fifteen-week graduate certificate throughout the application and adequately address eligibility criteria through the personal essay.
Extended Reading
Visit Program Overview to learn more about the Salt Graduate Certificate.
Visit Tuition & Fees and Financial Aid to learn more about the financial commitment and funding opportunities.
If you are eligible for the US Federal Student Loan, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Our School Code is 011673.
Visit MECA&D to find opportunities to visit us.