School of Art honours alumnus Robert Foster through scholarship

The ANU School of Art has launched a new scholarship in the memory of its late alumnus, Canberra designer and artist Robert Foster.
The scholarship, valued at $10,000, will be awarded each year to a student who completes their Honours studies through the Gold & Silversmithing workshop in the School of Art.
Head of the Gold & Silversmithing workshop Dr Rohan Nicol described the award, which will be offered in perpetuity, as a generous contribution by its anonymous donors.
"They had a strong working relationship with Robert Foster," Dr Nicol said.
"It was also through him that they understood the value and significance of creativity and the arts."
Scholarship recipients will have the flexibility to choose how they use the funds.
"It's a really flexible scholarship because everybody's circumstances are different," said Dr Nicol.
"It accommodates the diversity of needs that students have."
The scholarship is a fitting tribute to the leading Australian designer who was a mentor to Dr Nicol and many local and interstate artists.
Dr Nicol said Robert had a capacity for making his innovative ideas tangible by taking them to market.
"His name is going to continue to be celebrated for all the things he did," he said.
"Robert's independent practice was internationally recognised, but the way that he enabled the community remains to me his most enduring legacy.
"He was a powerful force that kind of convened activity and brought attention to what was going on in Canberra.
"In his absence, this scholarship may play a small role in celebrating that legacy."
Applications for the Robert Foster Gold & Silversmithing Honours Scholarship will open on 6 February 2017. The first awardee will be announced during graduation season in 2017.