University of Southern California
School of CINEMATIC Arts
THE GARY COOPER ENDOWED FUND FOR STUDENT SUPPORT for Indigenous Cultures
Maria Cooper Janis continues to embrace her fatherโs legacy with The Gary Cooper Endowed Fund for Student Support for Indigenous Cultures at The University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts.
After gifting a portion of Gary Cooper Collection to the University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts, Televisionโs Library and archives where students, scholars and researchers are able to study Gary Cooperโs contributions to cinema, his daughter, Maria Cooper Janis established the Gary Cooper Endowed Fund for Student Support for Indigenous Cultures in 2005. Gary Cooper had a passionate respect Native Americans from his youth in Montana and sparked a lifelong interest in Indigenous Cultures. Traveling to their native homes and learning about their specific traditions, culture and lifestyles.
This fund provides financial assistance for those students from Indigenous cultures who want to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. The Gary Cooper Endowed Fund for Student Support for Indigenous Cultures is an integral part of SCAโs efforts to recruit and educate storytellers from all walks of life to contribute to diversity of storytelling in our classrooms and on our sets.
Over the past two years, personal items including: Personal correspondence, telegrams, studio communications, original stills, notes on movies, (in Coopโs own handwriting), set props he saved and a treasure trove of archival family & Hollywood photos and film footage as well as other personal furniture and home dรฉcor items including artwork from the Cooper home in Brentwood & Holmby Hills, California & Southampton, New York were sent to USC. Some things were sent to auction, the proceeds of which provided a gift to the fund from his daughter Maria in the spring of 2021. In April of 2022, an installation of an exclusive exhibition and film screening is planned at USC, School of Cinematic Arts. The Gary Cooper Exhibition for all to visit and enjoy will remain in place until the Fall of 2022.
Whether a direct donation through the link below or the purchase of Mariaโs incredible book, a rare and touching tribute to her father, all the proceeds will go directly to the fund for student support for Indigenous Cultures.
To donate please visit cinema.usc.edu/garycooper, and you will receive a tax deductible receipt for your generosity.
You may also purchase Gary Cooper Off Camera, A Daughter Remembers, written by Maria Cooper Janis with intimate & fun family photos, 100% of the Book Sales will be donated to The Gary Cooper Endowed Fund for Student Support for Indigenous Cultures.
Learn about some of the past and current recipients who have received support from this legacy fund.
SONYA OBERLY, FILM & TELEVISION PRODUCTION MFA โ09
DR. CHERA KEE โ06 & โ11, CINEMA & MEDIA STUDIES MA AND PHD, VISUAL STUDIES GRADUATE CERTIFICATE โ10
MIRANDA DUE, INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BA โ16
CARLEE KAUFFMAN MALEMUTE, WRITING FOR SCREEN AND TELEVISION MFA โ16
SEQUOYAH MADISON, ANIMATION AND DIGITAL ARTS MFA โ18
MATO STANDING SOLDIER, CINEMA AND MEDIA STUDIES BA โ20
ABEL CONTRERAS III, PRODUCTION MFA โ22
MARACEA CHASE CINEMA AND MEDIA STUDIES BA โ25