Grant Applications Now Being Accepted for the 2013 JASNA International Visitor Program
Implemented in 2005, the JASNA IVP is generously sponsored by a donation from the New York Metropolitan Region in order to sustain the strong bonds of friendship fostered with Austen-related organizations in England during the 2003 AGM.
Chawton House Library
Photo ©Copyright Allan Soedring
General Overview
If your Austen-related project requires study or travel in England, JASNA invites you to apply to spend six weeks in Chawton this summer under the auspices of JASNA’s International Visitor Program (IVP). The program provides a JASNA member the opportunity to work on a creative or scholarly project while also using his or her talents to serve Austen-related institutions in Jane Austen’s village of Chawton, Hampshire.
Grant Support
JASNA will provide the 2013 International Visitor with a $3,000 (US currency) grant which is to be used towards round-trip air transportation to England from the continental USA or Canada, housing for six weeks at Chawton House Library, and miscellaneous travel and research expenses.
Austen Projects
The six-week summer program overlaps with the Jane Austen Society (JAS) AGM on July 20, 2013 and requires a “full time” commitment to various Austen projects throughout the duration of the fellowship. While much of the time will be spent working on a self-defined Austen project, the 2013 International Visitor will also work two days per week performing duties as designated by two Austen-related sites in Chawton: the Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton House Library, and/or St. Nicholas Church. Moreover, the Visitor will attend the JAS AGM on July 20 and provide such staff assistance to the AGM as the Honorary Secretary of JAS may request.
Austen-Related Institutions
The committee is particularly interested in applicants whose own Austen-related project and/or interests match the needs expressed by our Chawton partners: Jane Austen’s House Museum, Chawton House Library, and/or St. Nicholas Church:
Jane Austen’s House Museum
Photo courtesy of the Jane Austen Memorial Trust
Jane Austen’s House Museum
Many of the items in the Jane Austen’s House Museum collection (some of which are now housed at the Hampshire Records Office) could benefit from more research. The museum is also keen to work with anyone who wants the experience of working in a museum with a literary collection and how that is used to educate.
Chawton House Library
Chawton House Library is interested in projects that will take enthusiasm for, and interest in, Jane Austen to the widest possible audience. In keeping with the unique collection, Chawton House Library is always interested in projects that will promote Austen’s lesser-known contemporaries and predecessors too, perhaps by making use of the primary resources in their collection.
St. Nicholas Church
Although we have not yet had an International Visitor work with St. Nicholas Church, the committee remains interested in hearing from JASNA members who are interested in working at this site.
Other Local Archives
Applicants should also consider how their own Austen-related projects might benefit from access to nearby archives such as the Hampshire Record Office in Winchester (http://www3.hants.gov.uk/archives), as well as the wealth of research opportunities London has to offer (by train, London is a little over an hour away from Chawton).
Request an Application
If you would like to receive an application form for the 2013 JASNA IVP, please send your name, address, e-mail address (if any), and telephone number to Dr. Alice Villaseñor amv68@medaille.edu. Although electronic communication is strongly preferred, JASNA members may also make inquires using the following mailing address:
JASNA’s International Visitor Program
c/o Dr. Alice Villaseñor
Medaille College
18 Agassiz Circle
Buffalo, NY 14214
All completed applications must be received by April 1, 2013 for consideration. The IVP Committee will announce their decision on or before April 30, 2013.