Miller Arts Scholars
Miller Arts Scholars
Brenna Courtney

Brenna Courtney

Semester of Mini-grant
Year of Mini-grant
2021
Disciplines(s)
Grant Description
This semester marks my formal dive into the study of poetics and English literature in a collegiate setting — whereas I’ve previously taken only writing workshops, my poetry education is now supplemented by more rigorous investigations of history, form, and criticism. As expected, my writing and reading are far richer for it: I now find myself more and more able to draw from the deep well of both established and contemporary English poetry when analyzing not only my own work, but the work of others.
Original Proposal
Proposal Outcome
Title
Poetry Books, Website, and Contest Fees
Semester of Mini-grant
Year of Mini-grant
2022
Disciplines(s)
Grant Description
This spring, I am applying for the minigrant to revisit many of the same ends, this time with more specific goals in mind. First, I would like to renew my website for another year, allowing me to continue to consolidate my public work in one online location. Next, I would like to allocate a portion of the funds towards submissions to various poetry magazines and contests. Though these magazines are often competitive, I’ve enjoyed this small taste of the publishing world, and have found the process of finding a place for my writing especially important as I get ready to complete my poetry concentration.
Original Proposal
Proposal Outcome
Title
Website and Contest Fees
Class Year
2023
Disciplines(s)
Arts Award Type
Proposal Outcome
Faculty Advisor
Brad Pasanek
Department
English
Grant Description
I will be spending next semester as a visiting student at Hertford College in the University of Oxford, and I am thrilled for this opportunity to cultivate both my analytical prose and my understanding of English literature, criticism, and theory. I sincerely thank the Miller Arts committee for the consideration of my proposal.
Original Proposal
Title
Semester Studying English Literature at the University of Oxford

Brenna Courtney grew up in Chantilly, Virginia and is currently pursuing a double major in computer science and English in the College. Her collage series, What kind of idea are you?, which surveys the imagery of her mixed race experience, was recognized by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and exhibited in the Parsons School of Design in 2019. At UVA, she enjoys attending and reading at Flux Poetry & Spoken Word, as well as participating in the group Puzzle Poesis, which, among other goals, investigates how puzzles can give rise to new units of poetic meaning. A few of her favorite writers and artists include Helen Oyeyemi, Ian Cheng, Ted Chiang, and Toko Hosoya. She is honored to be a part of the Miller Arts Program, and grateful for this opportunity to work and grow alongside other Scholars.

2023