First-Year College Students: Jennie Gilbert Daigre Education Scholarship

Although I am only a first-year student at the University of Richmond, I am confident in my decision to eventually double major in International Business with a concentration in French and Art History due to my multicultural upbringing. All my grandparents are immigrants from Vietnam, France, and Germany, and the hardships that ensued with navigating a new culture during their journeys have always encouraged me to take fierce pride in my heritage. In recent years, my admiration for my grandparents has helped me discover my passion for connecting with other cultures through learning languages, traveling, and viewing the world from diverse, open-minded perspectives. I am pursuing a degree in these two areas of study for this very reason. Upon completing my undergraduate, I want to attend law school and become an art lawyer. I believe my profession alone as an art lawyer will contribute to diversifying the types of law practiced. Currently, art law is considered less noble than other types of law more commonly practiced, such as corporate and criminal, and I want to change this perception and help elevate art law to the same standard as other laws. While I’ve only recently discovered my desire to be an art lawyer, I have always wanted my eventual profession to focus on advancing multiculturalism. I thought I wanted to be an international lawyer for a while; however, my love for art history and the realization that art law would allow me to promote multiculturalism more efficiently than the latter have made me gravitate toward this profession. As an art lawyer, I would aim to make a difference in today’s diverse world by using my position to amplify the artists and works of underrepresented cultures. This past year I took AP Art History. While I loved learning about predominantly white art in the Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo movements, I also noticed the lack of representation of Native American, South American, and African cultures, for example. AP Art History requires that students learn the 250 pieces selected by College Board. Out of those 250, there were only a few pieces by non-European cultures in each overarching movement we studied. In contrast, European artists were represented significantly amongst the nine core areas of study covered. My observations in this class have inspired me to deepen my understanding of non-European art, so I aim to take several art history classes focusing on works produced by Asian, African, and South American cultures at Richmond. Along with promoting art law to a higher standard, I want to do the same with non-European art because it is viewed as less valuable, beautiful, and even authentic than predominantly white art. This stigma is due to the lack of coverage in the media, museums, and the American educational system. I think it’s so fascinating how art allows individuals to express themselves while revealing the intricacies of their cultures at the same time. I have heard from some people that my major in international business and art history will be fruitless. Nevertheless, I know my love for these subjects and dedication to advancing multiculturalism will allow me to succeed and make a visible, lasting difference. Thank you for your time and consideration.