The Jacob Beneke 2025 Student Scholarship Award

Honoring Jacob Beneke, a devoted Maple Grove Arts Center board director, this scholarship celebrates his passion for the arts and commitment to the creative community. Jacob’s life was tragically cut short in 2012 in the Accent Signage Systems shooting.

Scholarship Qualifications

To be eligible for the Jacob Beneke Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a graduating senior from a school within ISD 279 – Osseo Area Schools

• Plan to attend a four-year college/university or a two-year community college

• Intend to pursue a major in the arts

Award

We will be presenting a $650 check to the winning artist.
In addition, all entrants will receive an annual advocacy, valued at $50, for their participation and dedication to the arts.

Your artwork will be judged by three independent judges who are all qualified in their own areas of art and arts education.

The scholarship winner will be announced at the Student Art Show Opening on April 10 at the Maple Grove Government Center from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM. All applicants are strongly encouraged to attend.

Application Process

Please complete the general application by clicking the button below.

The submission deadline is Friday, March 28.

Good luck!

2024 scholarship Winner

The message behind "Nature's Fray" was the harmful impacts of industrialization on nature and animals. The tree trunk is growing out of the metal base portrays deforestation, and the frogs being placed on the metal base shows how industrialization destroys animal habitats.

The message of "Nature's Redemption Teapot Set" is also about how nature is being destroyed for industrialization. I decided to incorporate moss growing through the cracks of the metal panels, to convey how industrial structures take over plants, but the plants will always try to regrow.

The message of "Last Leg" is the effects of a capitalistic society on the working class. It is about the unfairness of capitalism and how the working class is dealt a short hand and is always trying on their "last leg" trying to create a stable life for themselves in a society that makes that extremely difficult. I portrayed this message through imbalance and the monochromatic color. The imbalance represents the unfairness and the instability of a capitalistic society.

Through my creative processes with all of these pieces, I have learned how to create realism in my pieces through using a variety of tools to refine, carve details, and create texture. Since all of these pieces are fully ceramic, I had to learn how to create realistic looking sculptural aspects with just clay and tools. I enjoyed opportunities to learn new techniques when creating these pieces, and I look forward to creating many more pieces and learning and developing my skills.

I plan on sticking with art throughout my life, and I'm currently planning on majoring in fine arts or art education. I hope to be able to share and inspire others through sharing my creativity, whether it be selling my art or teaching it. I want to have a career path where I am able to express my creativity in my every day life.

We wish Madison all the best for the future.

2024 Runners Up