Mr Smith is the English-born manager of Olveston, and is the sole recipient of The Clark Collection Scholarship, amounting to about $7500, for this year.
The scholarship enables New Zealand professionals in the built heritage and decorative arts field to expand their knowledge by attending the Attingham School.
This school was unique in offering a professional course of study based on English country houses, bringing together extensive expertise, and international participants, scholarship officials said.
The 18-day residential school starts on June 30 and many country houses in Sussex, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire are visited.
Mr Smith was ‘‘very grateful'' to be given ‘‘this incredible opportunity'', and expected to return with ‘‘lots of new ideas for Olveston''.
She gained a bachelor of physiotherapy degree from the University of Otago in 1995, and has a doctorate in art history from Victoria University of Wellington.
Dr Rice has received a part scholarship, amounting to about $6000, from the Attingham Trust. Te Papa has also provided financial support for her trip.
Gaining the scholarship and attending the school was a ‘‘great privilege'', Dr Rice said.
Given to the people of Dunedin by Dorothy Theomin, daughter of its original owners, the Olveston complex retained ‘‘all its original features'', Museums Aotearoa officials said.
The Clark scholarship is provided by New Zealand financier and heritage advocate Errol Clark.
