The School of Art is dedicated to helping students explore all financial scholarship opportunities the school offers in support of their art education.
Undergraduate Incoming Freshmen and Transfer Student Scholarships
Apply Now Deadline February 1
As a result of the amazing gift from the Walton Family Charitable Foundation, the School of Art awards over $500,000 in scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students.
The School of Art offers both need-based and merit-based scholarships, both require an application completed through uarkart.slideroom.com.
At least 50% of annual art undergraduate scholarship funding will be awarded to students with diverse backgrounds, belonging to diverse groups, and/or engaging in justice, equity, access, diversity, and inclusion efforts. Aspects of diversity that may be considered include, but are not limited to, membership in an underrepresented ethnic or minority group, being an underrepresented student with a demonstrated interest in a particular field of study, being from an underrepresented county of the state, an underrepresented state or country, status as a first-generation college student, or is a student with a disability. However, no single factor shall be determinative.
Each application will be considered on an individual basis, taking into account the applicant’s potential contribution to academic excellence and a diverse educational environment at the University.
School of Art Renewable Scholarship recipients are awarded $3,000/year for up to four years, resulting in $12,000 total.
School of Art Non-Renewable Scholarship recipients are awarded between $1,000-$5,000 for one year. It is possible for a student to receive both a Renewable and Non-Renewable Scholarship from the School of Art.
Requirements of the application include:
- Completed application
- Submission of a 1-10 image portfolio and/or 2-3 page writing sample (if Art History
- For Portfolio: 1-10 images of works created in the last year. These can be 2-D, 3-D,
or 4-D media ranging in graphic design, drawing, painting, photography, performance,
video, sound, photography, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and interdisciplinary
media.
Special thanks to the BFA Committee for providing documents designed to help students build portfolios. - For Writing Sample: Please share a 2-3 page writing sample describing your favorite artwork, artist, movement, or interest in studying the field of Art History. Please share a 2-3 page writing sample describing your interest in Art Education as a field of study, along with events and/or experiences that have led to this academic interest for you.
- List of any college-level, AP/IB, or upper-level art courses taken
- One-page diversity statement: How will you promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of Arkansas and School of Art? Are there organizations, events, or personal events, that have expanded your role or thinking about diversity, equity, and inclusion? Tell us your story.
- One-page artist’s statement: What interests you about studying art at the university level? Why do you think the UA School of Art is the best choice for your academic pursuits? What are your goals for your art practice and program at the UA School of Art?
- Optional statement: Is there anything else you would like to share with the SOA Scholarship Review Board? Ex. What things do you do outside of school? Do you have a job, volunteer at a local organization, play a sport or participate in a music group, etc.?
Students that submit an application will be automatically considered for renewable and non-renewable School of Art scholarships.
School of Art scholarship applications will be reviewed alongside students Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. Students are asked to submit the FAFSA form as early as possible, so the School of Art is able to review this information if granted access by the applicant.
The School of Art strongly recommends that all students apply for general University of Arkansas scholarships, as well as funding through outside programs, to better fund their education. For incoming students, they should apply for UA Scholarships by the November 15th, priority deadline. To read more about opportunities, please visit the University of Arkansas Scholarship Office and Financial Aid Office.
Other recommended Arkansas Art scholarship awards to research include: Historic Cane Hill Arkansas Young Artist’s Exhibition, Arkansas Young Artist Association (AYAA), and the Thea Foundation.
Students need to submit a portfolio of five images to show the School of Art scholarship committee your best and most recent work.
This will give the School of Art a sense of who you are as both an artist and student, your observation skills, your interests, your exploration into different mediums and ideas, and a willingness to think beyond technical skills.
Take your time and ask for feedback from your mentors and teachers as you submit your portfolio images.
Examples of works that may be included:
Ceramics
Drawings/Painting
Digital Works
Photographs
Sculpture
Sound
Video
Students need to submit a 1-5 page writing sample, preferably art historical or analytical.
If an art historical or analytical writing sample is unavailable, please submit a short statement detailing your interest in art history as a subject and the particular subject/s you intend to focus on while a student at the School of Art.
Are you a currenct student looking for financial aid and scholarship opportunities?