NEW YORK.-The UrbanGlass continues to offer scholarships to learn the art of glass beadmaking. The Bead Project is a program for low-income women interested in attaining a new skill to help provide supplementary income. With the help of grants from Deutsche Bank Americas Fund, The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the Independence Community Foundation, UrbanGlass offers the program three times a year. The program, which is now going into its ninth year, includes instruction in glass beadmaking, silversmithing, and entrepreneurial skills.

Class is limited to nine students, who gain access to ongoing assistance and networking after they have finished the program. The Bead Project scholarships include 25 hours of hands-on instruction in glass beadmaking, followed by 25 hours of a professional-level silver jewelry-making. Full tuition, supplies, and tools for the class are furnished by UrbanGlass. Upon completion of the course, students will receive both a glass beadmaking kit and jewelry making kit with all equipment and tools for setting up a workspace in their homes.

The Bead Project has been the subject of several magazine articles, including the July 16, 2003 issue of the Christian Science Monitor. Founder Annette Rose-Shapiro and Rosita Walsh, a graduate of The Bead Project, were also featured on July 2003 on CNN Financial News to talk about the entrepreneurial aspects of the program.

How Can Students Use These Skills? - Glass beads have been with us for centuries, and their popularity as collectible items and as jewelry is as prevalent as ever. Bead expos and sales are on the rise and there are many opportunities to profit. Craft shows, flea markets, street fairs, as well as craft galleries and stores are all possibilities for glass bead artists to showcase their work. Members of The Bead Project are given a free table each year at the UrbanGlass Annual Glass Bead Expo in March, which includes some of the top glass beadmakers and teachers in the country.

Who Can Apply? - The Bead Project was created specifically for low-income women, age 18 and over, living in New York City. Applicants should have some art experience in any media, and should not be currently enrolled in an academic program. Previous glass experience is not required. Call 718-625-3685, extension 223 to request an application or print one out from our website at www.urbanglass.org. The application deadline for the Spring 2006 program is December 15, 2005.