SOE Slates $10K Scholarship for Females at The Art Institute

Sony Online Entertainment says it will award up to $10,000 to female students interested in pursuing game design or production as a career. The scholarship is only available to students currently enrolled at one of The Art Institute’s schools. Also on hand to be awarded to one successful applicant is a paid internship of up to 10 weeks at one of the Sony Online Entertainment studios (located in Austin, Denver, San Diego and Seattle; room, board, transportation and living expenses not included). The scholarship, called G.I.R.L -- Gamers in Real Life -- Competition, is designed to help attract more women into the professional field of game development. The scholarship “competition” was created in response to a survey, sponsored by SOE. The survey gathered feedback from female students currently enrolled in the following programs at The Art Institutes: Game Art & Design, Visual & Game Programming and Visual Effects & Motion Graphics. The survey found: 61 percent of students believe male dominance in the industry is a deterrent to women pursuing a career in gaming, and 31 percent said they want to become involved in gaming because more women need to represent the industry “We're just trying to encourage more women to make the games they obviously enjoy playing,” said Torrie Dorrell, senior vice president of global sales and marketing of Sony Online Entertainment. “With the application process starting today, we're taking a concrete step towards opening the door a little wider for women who want to go into game development, and that can only help expand our industry's audience.” Scholarship applicants must be currently enrolled at one of The Art Institutes schools, have a graduation date of June 2009 or later, and must comply with the Official Rules. Applicants are required to complete an online application and submit an in-game design, concept art and two essays. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2008, and related asset submissions must be received by May 31, 2008. The winner will be announced on or about June 30, 2008.