Scholarship Fund FAQs
Which marginalised communities will the Scholarship Fund support?
The Pooja Shahani Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to providing opportunities to individuals from marginalised communities (from India) who are often overlooked or underrepresented. In particular, the fund will serve three major segments of marginalised populations:
LGBTQIA+ Community: Despite significant strides towards acceptance and equality in recent years, individuals from the LGBT community often face a multitude of challenges, including discrimination, exclusion, and a lack of understanding from mainstream society. By offering scholarships to aspiring arts therapy practitioners from the LGBT community, the Fund aims to not only promote inclusion and diversity but also empower these individuals to serve their own communities with empathy and understanding.
Caste Minorities: India's societal structure is deeply ingrained with the caste system, often leading to exclusion and prejudice against those belonging to lower castes or caste minorities. The Fund aims to extend opportunities to these individuals, creating pathways for their representation in the field of arts therapy and offering them a platform to make a meaningful impact within their communities.
Religious Minorities: In a diverse country like India, religious minorities often struggle to find equal opportunities and representation. By offering scholarships to individuals from religious minority groups, the Fund seeks to amplify their voices and potential in the field of arts therapy. This can create a ripple effect, promoting understanding, empathy, and respect across different religious communities through the therapeutic power of arts.
What is SMART?
The Studio for Movement Arts & Therapist Trust (SMART) was set up in 2011 to offer a range of high quality training, self-exploration and mental health programs grounded on the various arts-based therapies.
SMART was founded by Brinda Jacob-Janvrin. Brinda is a movement based expressive arts therapist and a contemporary dancer/choreographer with more than 25 years of performing experience. As a qualified counsellor, she has been working extensively with movement and arts therapies since 2003.
Pooja trained as an expressive arts therapy practitioner in SMART's flagship Foundation Course in Expressive & Creative Arts Therapies (FECAT) in 2019-20 -- this course was deeply influential in Pooja's own work in diversity & inclusion, coaching, counselling and facilitation.
Located in the serene Sivanchetti Gardens area of Bangalore, SMART's studio is less than a mile from the apartment where Pooja resided for over seven years. This proximity reinforces the deep connection between Pooja's life, the Pooja Shahani Memorial Scholarship Fund, and SMART.
How will scholarship recipients be selected?
Candidates will be evaluated based on the typical selection criteria employed by SMART for all their incoming students, their financial need, and their personal story, particularly their experiences as a minority and their dedication to diversity and inclusion.
Each year, the Scholarship Fund aims to support 5-8 individuals from various marginalised communities to pursue their training in arts therapy at SMART. The selection process will be keenly focused on individuals who exhibit passion, potential, and a strong commitment to their communities. Each Scholar will receive up to USD 1200 (up to 80% of tuition costs).
In addition to providing scholarships, the Fund also acknowledges the wide range of valuable programs run by SMART. As such, part of the contributions may be allocated to support these related programs, thereby amplifying the impact of the fund and extending the reach of arts therapy to even more individuals and communities.
If I contribute, what updates can I expect?
We are committed to keeping our contributors closely connected to the impact of their generosity. As a contributor, you can expect to receive regular updates, including:
Scholarship Recipient Updates: We will share profiles and progress reports of scholarship recipients, offering you insights into their journey throughout the training program. Please note that these may be anonymised in certain cases.
Impact Stories: We will periodically share stories illustrating how the fund's support has made a difference in the lives of the recipients and the communities they serve.
Program Reports: Contributors will receive updates on the various programs supported by the fund at SMART. These reports will detail the objectives, execution, and impact of these programs, showing you the broader reach of your contribution.
Will this be a recurring initiative?
The Pooja Shahani Memorial Scholarship Fund is envisioned to be a recurring initiative, intended to have a sustained, annual impact. The fund is anchored by a donor who has pledged a committed sum of INR 2,00,000 (approximately USD 2,500) annually in perpetuity. This commitment lays a solid foundation for the Fund's enduring operation.
Each year, around the time of Pooja's birth anniversary on August 9, we plan to publicise the initiative and launch a fundraising campaign. This approach not only commemorates Pooja's life and legacy but also ensures the fund's ongoing vitality.
Thus, while the Scholarship Fund has a yearly rhythm, its influence is envisioned to reach far into the future, echoing Pooja's lifelong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and continuous self-improvement.
Will contributions be tax-exempt?
The tax exemption status for contributions made to The Pooja Shahani Memorial Scholarship Fund is subject to specific regulations.
Indian Nationals: We are currently evaluating the possibility of making donations to the fund eligible for tax exemptions under the Indian Income Tax Act. We will keep our donors updated about any developments in this area.
Foreign Nationals: Unfortunately, due to the current Indian regulatory framework concerning foreign donations, we are unable to offer tax exemptions for contributions made by foreign nationals.
Who will be responsible for the smooth execution of this initiative?
Rahul (Pooja's partner) is taking the lead in operating the Scholarship Fund. He is responsible for coordinating with SMART and ensuring that funds raised are deployed suitably, and that updates are provided to donors in a timely manner.
How much will it cost to support each student?
The flagship 1 year long FECAT program costs USD 1500 (excluding government taxes). Revenues go towards the payment of all faculty, rent on the facilities, and other minor operating costs. As batch size is limited to 25 for learning efficacy, these revenues are capped on the upside.
We expect that as part of the Scholarship, each Scholar will receive up to USD 1200 (up to 80% of tuition costs), while paying up the balance portion of the fee on their own to align all incentives.