Peace Through Education

Financial Aid & Scholarships

The School of Art is dedicated to helping students explore all financial scholarship opportunities the school offers in support of their art education.

The scholarship application opens September 1 and closes 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 December 1st, 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.

The School of Art offers both renewable and non-renewable (one-time) scholarships. Each program area has additional materials that students should submit depending on their degree plan. These may include a resume, artist’s statement, cover letter, and/or portfolio of works.

Renewable scholarships require students to complete a Diversity Statement. 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, is a student with a disability, or a student engaging in justice, equity, access, diversity and inclusion efforts. 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, their artistic work, and a diverse educational environment at the University. 

Students are encouraged to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1st at www.fafsa.gov. to be reviewed alongside a student's scholarship application for financial consideration.

 Please locate the specific requirements from the following options depending on your degree program and upload the corresponding documents in PDF format.

To apply, visit uarkart.slideroom.com.

Current Student Scholarship Application Materials Required for all scholarship applicants:

_Questions about your Academic Program

_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. Limit is 500 words maximum.

_Optional Statement: Is there anything else you would like to share with the SOA Scholarship Review Board? What things do you do outside of your academics? Do you work at a job, volunteer at a local organization, take care of siblings, play a sport, or participate in a music group, etc.? We want to hear about you! Limit is 500 words maximum.

  • Cover Letter: The cover letter should detail the following: experience in art history, any specific areas of interest, what draws you to the major, how you hope to apply your studies in art history after graduation (in the field of art history or otherwise), along with any additional information you think pertinent.
  • Artist/Academic Resume: Please include a minimum of: your year, major(s) (if double), GPA, and any relevant work experience.
Apply Here
  • Portfolio: Sophomores must submit 5 examples of recent studio work, Juniors and Seniors must submit 10 examples of recent studio work.
  • Teaching Philosophy: Required of Seniors in PDF format only.
  • Personal Statement: Required of Sophomores and Juniors in PDF format only. Please provide a statement that includes your personal background and motivation for pursuing art education.
  • Professional Resume: Required of Juniors/Seniors in PDF format only.
Apply Here
  • Portfolio: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors must share 10 recent works.
  • Graphic Design Statement: Share an example or a description of how you contribute positively to the community of the graphic design program. Limit to 500 words in PDF format.
  • Professional Resume: Students should submit a professional resume in PDF format.
Apply Here
  • Professional Resume (Sophomore/Juniors/Seniors): Please provide a professional resume in PDF format.
  • Artist Statement (Sophomores/Juniors/Seniors): Provide an Artist Statement in PDF format.
  • Portfolio: If you wish to be considered for a merit-based scholarship, you are required to present a portfolio appropriate to your degree path and level. Submit 10 examples of studio work.
Apply Here

Current School of Art students may apply for funding a summer opportunity at uarkart.slideroom.com each year. The application is open to both undergraduate and graduate current students in the arts who would be returning the following semester. Applicants may apply for funding which supports either a self-initiated or organization-led opportunity with an educational or professional focus.

The Summer Opportunity Funding Application is due on December 1st. Applicants must submit a proposal of opportunity, current resume, anticipated budget, and opportunity timeline for consideration. For more information, contact Kim Crowell.

Studying abroad is oftentimes a highlight of a student's academic career, but the benefits extend beyond graduation day. International travel and study shapes a lifetime by building a more nuanced worldview; by showing that there is value in each experience; and by honing invaluable skills, such as intercultural communication, resiliency, and adaptability. Convinced yet? Let us help you take your education abroad! Your future self with thank you.

Preparing to study abroad can be a long process, but it is part of the journey. This can look different for every student and may be influenced by your class status (freshman, sophomore, etc.), major, personal interests, program type, and destination.

Looking at the big picture can help you understand what can be a long journey! Here's an overview of what to expect along the way.

Our Art students have traveled to Italy, Ghana, England, Finland, Japan, and more! 

Visit the Study Abroad page for more info.

Self-initiated Opportunities are defined as opportunities created by or discovered by the applicant. Self-initiated opportunities further a student’s degree and/or post-graduation goals. These may include travel or non-travel summer opportunities. 

Organization-led opportunities are defined as opportunities hosted or coordinated by an established organization. These might include university programs, such as the U of A Rome Center, or external partnerships which students have attended in the past such as

  • Penland School of Crafts
  • Arrowmont
  • Women’s Studio Workshop
  • Mt. Gretna School of Art
  • Ox-Bow Summer Workshops and Residencies
  • Red Lodge Clay Center
  • Watershed
  • Chautauqua Visual Arts
  • Frogman’s Print Workshops
  • New York Studio School
  • Yale Norfolk School of Art
  • MASS MoCA
  • Thrive Design Internship
  • The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Internship
  • Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.

Organization-led opportunities must also advance degree and/or post-graduation goals. Note that some of these opportunities have additional application requirements and competitive selection processes outside of the School of Art’s process. 

  • Eligible students must submit their application through uarkart.slideroom.com by December 1st. Completed applications which are submitted on time will be given to their respective review committees. Applicants should receive notice of their summer award or if they have not been selected for a summer award, by mid-January. 
  • Domestic travel will require all travel details to be submitted at least one month prior to domestic departure. International travel must be registered with and approved by the Study Aboard office. If approved, international travel details must be submitted at least two months prior to anticipated departure. Applicants are recommended to consider these deadlines as they build their opportunity timelines. 

 

Undergraduate Info

Deadlines

  •  February 1
    Scholarship Deadline for Incoming Students
  • March 1
    Scholarship Deadline for Current Students

More Information

Fulbright College Scholarships & Fellowships

Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid