Honoring the man who opened up the jewelry industry to designers, this contest offers an opportunity to study with a world-class jewelry artist. The winner receives an all-expenses-paid scholarship from anywhere in the US to San Francisco (air, lodging, tuition and fees) for a master class of their choice during the Academy's annual 3-week long International Masters Symposium in April 2012. During the Masters Symposium, prominent jewelry artists, designers, craftsmen and experts from all over the world converge on San Francisco to teach professional skills and techniques in the area of their greatest expertise. 

Click here to see the Masters Symposium classes offered.

Entry Fee: $25

Eligibility: The contest is open to anyone in the United States and Canada. Jurors look for an individual whose work displays original, innovative, high quality jewelry design.

How to Apply: Online application at callforentry.org (CAFE). Registration on CAFE is required. Accepting applications starting July 1, 2012.

Deadline: September 1, 2012 at 11:59pm (MST)

Past Winners

2012 Winner - Sarah Chapman, Chicago, IL

2011 Winner - Andrea Williams, Cohasset, MA

2010 Winner - Julia Behrends, Boston, MA

2009 Winner - Lisa Krikawa, Tucson, AZ

Special Thanks
This unique scholarship was funded by designers, for designers. At a gathering in 2007 to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the New Designer Gallery, an auction was held to raise funds to honor Mort. Over 50 past participants of the New Designer Gallery and other jewelry artists donated a piece of their work to be auctioned, with the proceeds used for the scholarship. The artists/donors all wanted to acknowledge and thank Mort for his support in a way that perpetuates his energy and insight and helps up-and-coming jewelry designers. By paying back with their own creations, these generous artists are completing the circle and are paving the way for the next generation of jewelry designers.

Donors include:
Alan Revere
Alex Sepkus
Alishan
Amanda Megibow Jewelry Designs
American Jewelry Design Council
Amy Burkholder
Anatoli, Inc.
Ann Garrett
Anthony Nak
Cornelis Hollander Designs Inc.
Cornelis Hollander Designs Inc.
David Yurman, Inc.
Denny Wong Designs
Emanuela Duca Inc.
Emma-Jane & Tan
Esther Gallant
Fragments
Frederica
Gabriel D. Ofiesh II
George Sawyer Designs
Gurhan
Jane Bohan Inc.
Jeanine Payer Jewelry
Jeanne Johngren Design
Jeannette Fossas
Jennifer Kellogg
Joseph Murray
Julez Bryant
Julieri
K. Brunini Jewels
Laura Gibson Designs
Lup Rocks
Karen Christians/Metalwerx
Murphy Design
Marie-Helene Morrow / Reinhold Jewelers
Robert Lee Moris
Sakamoto
Sandy Baker
Sarah Graham Metalsmithing
Sasha Samuels Designer Goldsmith
Saundra Messinger
Schneider Design Studio
Scott Cusson
Somers Jewelry
Susan Helmich Designs
Susan Michel Ltd.
T. Lee Fine Designer Jewelry
The Touch Inc.
Tina Segal Collection
Tom Kruskal Designs
View Point
Zeira
Zina Sterling Silver
Tom Munsteiner
Michael Bondanza