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2022 Grant Awards

Shameka Sawyer

  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Alumni Art Award Grant
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Shameka Sawyer (C ‘13) is a filmmaker whose mission is to raise social consciousness by equipping BIPOC communities with the skills and tools to create media that represents their culture and experiences. In 2014, she created the 5 Shorts Project to amplify voices of color through the medium of filmmaking. Each year, 5 – 10 participants attend 12 educational workshops and 10 hands-on video production classes for six months, teaching them how to write, direct, and produce short films. BIPOC representation in film and media is vital to deepening understanding and initiating dialogue about our lived experiences. Storytelling plays a treasured role, as lived experience and personal points of view deepen understanding rather than simply revealing facts. By putting the power and control of the narrative into the hands of those most vulnerable in authentic representation, we advance social change. Shameka’s alumni award will support paid internships for students to assist with film production for emerging filmmakers and community organizations.

5 Shorts Project Promotional Video.




  • 2022
  • Alumni Art Award
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Making Art Grant

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The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation

John McInerney (he/him)
Executive Director
215-573-0874
mcinernj@upenn.edu

Chloe Reison (she/her)
Associate Director
215-573-2159
reison@upenn.edu

Tamara Suber (she/her)
Executive Coordinator of Grants and Community and Equity Strategies
215-898-0608
suber@upenn.edu

The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation is located on the Upper Mezzanine of the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

3680 Walnut Street
Philadelphia PA

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