Help Shira Finance Master's Thesis and Diploma

Hello. My name is Shira Roth. I am an interdisciplinary artist and visual designer from Colorado, currently based in Prague, Czech Republic. I created this crowdfunding campaign over one year ago to assist with my progressive studies and the cost of furthering my education. If 1000 people contribute $16, I can finance most, if not all, of my Master’s Diploma and Thesis in the Visual Arts Program in English, Studio IV in Photography at Umprum Academy of Fine Art, Architecture, and Design in Prague. The program will start on October 3, 2022 (and is expected to finish in September of 2024).

As of August 1st, 2022, I am officially accepted to enroll in the course through a process of nostrification that deems my current diploma in communication design from Metropolitan State University of Denver verified for foreign studies and advanced degrees. Through the success and completion of this campaign, I am looking forward to beginning the Visual Arts Master’s Program in English this fall.

Initially, I began this crowdfunding campaign in May of 2021 to finance my studies in the One-Year Intensive Academy Prep Course for Animated Filmmaking at FAMU International in Prague (hence the URL name that I cannot change now unless I start a new campaign). The avatar video of this campaign is from the self-portrait application requirement for the previous course.

Thanks to the contribution of 250 supporters between May and October of 2021, I was able to enroll in the filmmaking course for the first semester. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to have come this far, although I did not acquire the financial resources in time to remain enrolled in the course for the full one-year term. Also, after enrolling, I discovered that the filmmaking course did not fulfil my academic, career, or portfolio/ practical needs. I did to seek financial assistance to continue with it further. All the resources raised during this period were exhausted to accommodate the previous course.

From Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022, all additional proceeds will go towards accommodating the financial needs of the Visual Arts MA Program in English at Umprum Academy of Art Architecture and Design in Prague, where my acceptance is verified.

I applied to the Master’s Degree Program in English at Umprum as a solution which actually better suits my academic and career than the initial program for which this campaign was designed.

Based on the success of this campaign, and the completion of the course, I hope to emerge with a current portfolio/ website, mentored thesis with final exhibition, Master’s diploma, and four-term gallery exhibitions. Upon completion of a master’s diploma, I will also have the credentials to work as a curator in an international setting, as well as teach at a university level.

The tuition for the Master’s Program in English is approximately $3400 per semester (x 4 semesters), totaling $13,600 (plus additional costs). If I can manage to raise $6000 by early-October, I can enroll in the first semester of the Masters degree program. The achievement of the remaining goal of this fundraising campaign will result in financing most if not all of the Masters Degree Program.

For every contribution over $30, donors will receive a digital ezine via email (when you provide your email)

For every contribution over $50, donors will receive a print by post as well as a digital ezine (when you provide your mailing address).

For every contribution over $100, donors will receive a print and series of printed photography zines by post (when you provide your mailing address).

Thank you so much for your support!

View original campaign narrative here