The Phoenix Commotion Fellowship
Who are Dan and Marsha Phillips?
Dan Phillips was a designer and builder in Huntsville, Texas, who, together with his wife Marsha, founded a housing initiative called The Phoenix Commotion. Having witnessed waste in the construction industry for many years, Dan was inspired to reduce waste while also solving social problems in the local community. He hired and trained unskilled workers to transform free, salvaged, and recycled materials into creative, low income housing. Experience in their business of art and antique restoration served them well in the reclamation of construction waste to fabricate attractive, energy-efficient houses. Throughout its evolution, Marsha helped Dan shape the design and direction of The Phoenix Commotion as his most trusted advisor and an artist herself.
What is the Phoenix Commotion Fellowship?
Each year, the Phoenix Commotion Fellows Scholarship ($1,000) is awarded to support the development and implementation of an art-based initiative or project for the benefit of the Huntsville community. The Phoenix Commotion Fellowship will provide an opportunity for Sam Houston State University students, with a passion for creative problem solving, the arts, sustainability, and community engagement, to make a significant contribution to the local Huntsville, TX community by way of a creative or art-based community implemented initiative or project. The Phoenix Commotion Fellowship was made possible by the Ed and Jean Mathews Foundation and the Family of Dan and Marsha Phillips. They established the endowment to honor the legacy of Dan and Marsha Phillips.
How to Apply
In Scholarship4Kats, applicants are asked to create and attach a proposal for a creative and/or art-based project that is designed and implemented in partnership with a community partner to improve life, solve a social problem, or further sustainability. Applicants must ask a faculty member to act as a mentor to guide them in their project. After the award is accepted, the first semester will primarily consist of the planning phase of the project and the second semester will focus on the implementation phase. To be eligible for this award, students are required to be enrolled for two back-to-back semesters. Toward the end of the final semester, award recipients will be asked to present their project to campus and/or community audiences and will be asked to create a short video about their project. The Center for Community Engagement staff are available to assist students, faculty mentors, and the community partner organization throughout the project. The deadline to apply is February 1st.