Call for Undergraduate Proposals – Due by 5pm, Friday, January 29, 2027

Valley Business Keynote is a gathering of local business leaders around an engaging idea for one dynamic presentation. They believe that with the right speakers, this forum can add real value to business leaders and community members in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Of paramount interest is the speaker’s ability to help business leaders discover ways to fulfill the vast potential of the Shenandoah Valley and take advantage of its attractive assets.  Previous scholarship recipients

Criteria

The VBK Entrepreneurship in the Arts and Design Scholarship is awarded annually to an undergraduate majoring in the visual or performing arts at JMU. Recipients are ineligible to apply additional times. It specifically supports developing an entrepreneurial venture focused on the arts. It must have a business plan (non-profit or for profit), support a tangible outcome (e.g., developing a product and/or service), and conform to entrepreneurial best practices.

Amount: $1,000

If awarded, these funds will be deposited into your university student account and are subject to any outstanding fees owed to JMU. If none, JMU will issue a refund for this amount.

Process

Proposal Components: Due Friday, January 29, 2027 by 5 pm.

• Title and brief description of the project
• Justification: A one-page summary of research leading to the creation of the project
• Project Timeline
• Budget: Must include a detailed budget listing supplies, expenses, and travel needs
• Mentor: Proposals must include a letter of support from a mentor, indicating their commitment to guide the student through regular meetings. A mentor may be a local businessperson or a JMU faculty or staff member. 
• Optional: a one-minute “elevator pitch” video statement that clearly indicates who you are, your specific goal or interest, how you have demonstrated that interest, why you are qualified, and a question or an ask.
• Email completed proposal to Associate Dean Eric Guinivan (guiniver@jmu.edu).

Review of Proposals

• Proposals will be reviewed by the CVPA Dean’s Office
• Evaluation criteria
  • Must support a tangible outcome and include a (non-profit or for profit) business plan.
  • Must be related to design, visual arts, or performing arts.
  • Must be completed within one year of receipt of award
  • May not be awarded multiple times 

Awarding and Reporting

• The VBK Entrepreneurship in the Arts and Design Scholarship winner will be announced at the VBK event held in July every year at the Forbes Center. 
  • Award funds will be administered directly to the student through the JMU Foundation and are not subject to state regulations.
  • Awardees must meet with the Executive Assistant to the Dean of the CVPA to review all expenditures and receipts.
• Winners agree to record a short video about their award and project and/or share a 10-minute presentation to report on their project at the July Valley Business Keynote event at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts.