The Merle Davis Story Listener Fund Application 

The International Storytelling Center (ISC) is now accepting applications for Merle Davis Story Listener Scholarships. The scholarships will cover registration fees and a travel stipend for two special listeners to attend the National Storytelling Festival in October. There will also be additional scholarships available for workshops — you can select more than one category on the application form below. 

The Merle Davis Story Listener Fund honors the life of Merle Davis (1944-2017), an arts administrator and story lover whose keen ear, sharp eye, gracious smile, and generous heart made every storyteller want her in the audience. She understood that having eager listeners is as important as having accomplished storytellers. The Chinese symbol for the word that means “to listen” is comprised of four words: ear, eye, heart, and understanding. Merle used all of those senses and sensibilities as she listened to stories. ISC invites avid story listeners everywhere to apply for these scholarships. 

  • Essay or Video Section

    Up to a 500 word statement or a three-five minute video on one or both of the following: • Why attending the National Storytelling Festival is important to you and/or • How story has inspired you and/or changed your life
  • Max. file size: 220 MB.
  • The Merle Davis Story Listener Fund

    The Merle Davis Story-Listener Fund, administered by the International Storytelling Center, was established in 2018 to provide financial support for story-listener enthusiasts to attend the National Storytelling Festival. Potential expenses covered through the fund could include Festival registration, Yarnspinners Party entry, workshops, subsidized tickets, and travel or lodging. The application deadline for the Merle Davis Story Listener Fund Scholarship is August 7. Submissions missing any of the required items will not be considered. The scholarship will be announced on August 15. For questions, email storytellingcenter@gmail.com. All submissions can be submitted online, emailed to storytellingcenter@gmail.com, or mailed to the Merle Davis Story-Listener Fund International Storytelling Center 116 West Main Street Jonesborough, Tennessee 37659
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