NIKON INC. AND NYC SALT RENEW PARTNERSHIP TO GIVE VOICES TO EMERGING AND UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENT ARTISTS

Nikon Inc. is proud to announce the renewal of the brand’s partnership with NYC Salt, an organization that creates opportunities in visual arts and pathways to college and careers for underserved New York City youth with diverse backgrounds. The partnership includes the continuation of the annual Emerging Talent Scholarship, mentorship program and increased access to the latest mirrorless Nikon cameras and lenses for NYC Salt students to develop their photo and video content creation skills.

“In our long-standing relationship with NYC SALT, we have witnessed an abundance of talented visual artists emerge from the program and graduate to success in various professions,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “We are proud to continue supporting this fantastic program and NYC Salt’s mission to help create opportunities for diverse and underrepresented voices and the next generation of creators.”

Now in its third year, The NYC Salt/Nikon Emerging Talent Scholarship will once again be offered for eligible students graduating from the NYC Salt program and entering a visual arts-related field of study. This $10,000 scholarship is awarded annually, helping to create a pathway for students to follow their dreams and pursue a career in the visual arts. A selection of the students’ work will be judged on creativity and other merits by a panel of prestigious judges, which has previously included Nikon Ambassadors, Pulitzer Prize winners and prominent commercial artists.

“NYC Salt is an organization founded with the ethos to empower young minds to achieve their full creative potential, preparing them for a path to a professional career in all things visual," said Alicia Hansen, Founder and CEO, NYC Salt. “The latest mirrorless equipment and support from Nikon helps give our students the edge they will need as the industry and technology rapidly evolve.”

Nikon will also continue to support NYC Salt in other ways, including the expansion of a camera locker program which grants students access to the latest cameras and lenses. These cutting-edge mirrorless systems will help advance their photography and videography skills and will include models from the Z series of mirrorless cameras. The powerful imaging tools will be put directly in the hands of the students to provide them with opportunities to tell their stories while also gaining valuable experience towards a professional career in the visual arts. Additionally, Nikon will work directly with the program to offer in-person mentoring and instruction to students throughout the school year.

For more information about Nikon as well as their full line of imaging products, please visit www.nikonusa.com. For more information on NYC Salt, please visit http://www.nycsalt.org.

About Nikon
Nikon Inc. is a world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and technologies for photo and video capture; globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for an award-winning array of equipment that enables visual storytelling and content creation. Nikon Inc. distributes consumer and professional Z Series mirrorless cameras, digital SLR cameras, a vast array of NIKKOR and NIKKOR Z lenses, Speedlights and system accessories, Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras and Nikon software products. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers and visual storytellers to the Web's most comprehensive learning and sharing communities. Connect with Nikon on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Vimeo and Flickr.

About NYC Salt
NYC Salt’s mission is to engage, inspire, and empower underserved youth in New York City to reach their full potential through photography, video, and an understanding of the visual industry. NYC Salt creates opportunities in visual arts and pathways to college and career for underserved New York City youth from diverse backgrounds who are dedicated to careers in the arts, by engaging them in a rigorous blend of professional photography instruction, college-preparatory workshops, and career exposure. Their goal is to help student artists build advanced visual arts skills and the determination, confidence, and grit they need to succeed in college and future careers. Connect with NYC Salt on Instagram, Vimeo, Twitter, and Facebook.