Published May 31, 2024
MONROE, LA – In the 2023-2024 academic year, the ULM School of Visual and Performing Arts instituted
a brand-new initiative to provide an artistic connection to their students and the
arts community. The Cultural Arts Fellowship was created by Dr. Nicholas Bratcher,
Director of the School of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA), and serves as an initiative
to place students from underrepresented ethnic groups and first-generation students
into arts opportunities within the Monroe and West Monroe areas.
“One of my goals for the School of Visual and Performing Arts is to create and enhance
curriculum and events that champion and celebrate diversity. Not only does this align
with the strategic plan for ULM, but that vision also includes stronger relationships
with cultural arts organizations that will help provide social and economic value
to the city by revitalizing neighborhoods, inspiring students, and generally improving
the quality of life to our residents,” said Dr. Bratcher.
The inaugural recipient of the Cultural Arts Fellowship is Jansyn Jenkins, a junior
double majoring in ceramics and psychology at ULM. As a VAPA Cultural Arts Fellow,
students are expected to contribute scholarship through creative works and extracurricular
exhibitions/performances in city art spaces in partnership with a participating cultural
arts organization. In Jansyn’s case, this would be a partnership with the Black Creative
Circle of North Louisiana.
“While the ULM Cultural Arts Fellowship is new in its inception, it fits squarely
with the intention and scope of the Black Creatives Circle of North Louisiana (BCCNL).
Our desire was to act as an incubator and springboard for creatives in the area that
are underserved and underrepresented. Being educators and arts professionals, we are
acutely aware of how important this is. From our own experiences as undergraduates,
we know that existing in virtually any arts program can be daunting, and difficult
to find one’s footing. This is doubly so for artists of color,” said Rodrecas “Drek”
Davis, director of visual and performing arts at Grambling State University and a
member of the Black Creatives Circle.
For Jansyn Jenkins, the experience was one of confirmation. “The news about my selection
as a Fellow came at a time of doubt, a time when I was unsure about the decision to
become an art major. I had wondered if my efforts were truly worth the stress of numerous
studio courses, so when I received the email about my selection, I became elated.
Initially, I was nervous, but Professor Drek and Vitus Shell quickly assuaged any
anxiety. Working alongside Prof. Davis and Prof. Shell has been a wonderful opportunity.
Not solely because they are fantastic artists, but also because working with such
accomplished artists helps to demystify the meaning of what it means to be a professional
artist. I hope to continue the efforts of this fellowship by working alongside the
BCC.” Jansyn was selected by a unanimous collective vote of the art faculty at ULM.
“Jansyn is a person with clear vision, conscience and intentionality behind their
work. There is a curiosity and playfulness that points to a sincere understanding
of the possibility of art. The conversations that we have had have not only been illuminating
for them, but for us as well. This experience has helped the Black Creatives Circle
of North Louisiana develop a clearer vision for where we want to go, and how we might
best amplify the voices of young creatives in the area,” said Professor Davis.
Jansyn’s work will be exhibited in the Sugar Gallery (131 Art Alley, Monroe) upstairs
studio from June 2 through June 15, and there will be an artist talk at 6:30 p.m.
during the June Art Crawl on June 6.
