Scholarships and Awards

Scroll through the entire page for each available scholarship and award

Select a button to apply:

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New and Transfer Student Scholarships 

The John and Elva Griffon and Lon Nuell Memorial Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen and Transfer Students. Select the following link for Information about these Fall 2025 scholarships. Application open from 12/1/24 – 3/1/25.

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Art Education Scholarship

The Hester Ray Rogers Scholarship is based on a commitment to Art Education and is awarded to Seniors only with additional criteria demonstrating compassion for people, loyalty to the Department of Art and Design, loyalty to MTSU, and demonstrated academic excellence. – Application Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025

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Art History Scholarship

The Jill Montgomery Memorial Scholarship is given to an outstanding art major pursuing a concentration in art history. Applicants for this award must demonstrate promise with a proven academic record .– Application Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025

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Outstanding Foundations Student Award

The Foundations Outstanding Student Award is given to an art major or minor enrolled in Foundations-level courses in the Department of Art and Design. To be eligible for consideration, students must have completed the following requirements:

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Completion of a minimum of 2 MTSU Art and Design Foundations courses with a minimum grade of B OR completion of a minimum of 3 Foundations courses, one of which must have been taken at MTSU, with a minimum grade of B.
2. The student must be currently enrolled in a Foundations level course (ART 1610, ART 1620, ART 1630, ART 1640, or ART 1650)
3. Art majors are eligible to apply for this award. (BFA Studio, BFA Graphic Design, BA/BS Visual Arts, BS Art Education, BA/BS Art History).
   • Application deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025. – Questions? Email the Foundations Coordinator, Mark.Mcleod@mtsu.edu.  

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Graphic Design Scholarships

A committee of the Graphic Design Faculty determines Awards for Design Scholarships. For more information, please get in touch with your graphic design advisor. Application inquiries are accepted from December 1, 2024, to March 1, 2025.

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Studio Art Scholarships 

All Studio Art Scholarships are available with the following link.

The Deadline for ALL Studio Art Scholarships is Saturday, March 1, 2025.

Charles W. and Ola Belle Massey Memorial Art Scholarship is given to two Studio Art majors. Applicants for this award must demonstrate promise with a proven academic record. In addition, priority consideration is given first to Tennessee State residents from Wilson County, then to those from counties in Middle Tennessee, and finally to those from other areas of Tennessee. Additional consideration is given to minority individuals, particularly Native Americans and African Americans. 

Department of Art and Design Scholarship for Art Majors is given to one Studio Art major at the end of the sophomore year. 

David G. LeDoux Scholarship is given to one Studio Art major. 

James S. Gibson Sculpture Scholarship is given to one junior or senior Studio Art major with an emphasis on sculpture. Applicants for this award must also demonstrate promise with a proven academic record. Special consideration is given to students from Tennessee and West Virginia.  

Jerry’s Artarama | Nashville Art Supply Scholarship is awarded to one Studio Art major in the Spring Semester. 

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Continue to Follow the recent James S. Gibson Exhibition Online

Half the sale of each artwork purchased during the exhibit and reception will benefit Art and Design Students through the James S. Gibson Scholarship.

To purchase or contribute to the James S. Gibson Scholarship and for parking, directions, or other questions, contact 615-898-5532 or eric.snyder@mtsu.edu.

Click here to donate to the scholarship today

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Department Scholarships

The Deadline for ALL Studio Art Scholarships is Saturday, March 1, 2025.

A Faculty Scholarship Committee determines the Department Service Award based on a student’s service to the Department of Art and Design over the previous year. (often, more than one service award is presented)

The Corning Museum of Glass has operated for 28 years and offers programs to support students. The Museum and the MTSU Department of Art and Design are partnering to provide an Art Major scholarship to attend the Museum’s 1-week intensive Summer 2025 courses in Corning, New York. The class schedule is available in the summer at the Corning Museum of Glass and includes museum tours, evening lectures by artists, and other professional practice exercises, lectures, and opportunities. The scholarship covers the costs of the student’s summer tuition, a stipend for all lunch and dinner meals, materials for the class selected, and round-trip tickets for flights from Nashville to Elmira, New York. The chosen student is responsible only for a $20.00 application fee and possibly the cost of shuttle service to and from Corning to Elmira. The Deadline to Apply is Noon, Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Discover:

To Apply:

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Arrowmont-Windgate University Fellowship is a partnership scholarship with Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN. Awarded annually, the fellowship allows 1-2 current MTSU Art Majors to enroll in a one-week workshop at Arrowmont.  Each fellowship includes the one-week workshop fee, registration fee, meals & housing in dormitory-style facilities, and stipend for travel and workshop expenses. Eligible students can submit a completed application form and a digital portfolio of work to the faculty selection committee.

Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m., Saturday, February 15, 2025

Arrowmont 2025 National Workshops:

Online Fellowship Application Form:

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Ascend Federal Credit Union – MTSU Arts Outstanding Student Scholarship

 is given to continuing Art/Design, Dance, Music, or Theatre Majors who show potential for excellence in their chosen professions and contribute to the development of the artistic community at MTSU.

– Selection is determined by the Chair of Art and Design in mid-September each Fall Semester

Outstanding Student in Art and Design is presented to one applicant each academic year based on the following criteria. 

• Evidence of Excellence in the Classroom
• GPA Reflective of Comprehensive and Major Studies Success
• Evidence of Public Service
• Two Letters of recommendation
• Art and Design Major of Junior or Senior Status with 60 Completed Hours of Undergraduate Studies

The recipient becomes eligible for the MTSU College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Outstanding Student Award. Apply: Outstanding Student Application – Application deadline: Friday, February 9, 202X.

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College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Student in Art and Design Award

Awarded each Spring, this scholarship is based on the following criteria

• Must be a student in the Department of Art and Design at MTSU.
• Demonstrates outstanding academic achievement.
• Shows significant involvement in arts-related activities.
• Exhibits leadership qualities and community engagement.

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Lassie McDonald Crowder Travel Scholarship

For International study abroad, national or international artist residency program, training or professional development in the United States, or an internship in the US.

Criteria:

• Art and Design Major of Junior or Senior Status 
• Priority is given to students not selected for the scholarship during the previous academic year.
• Recipients must publicly present their experiences to other class members or departments upon their return. Presentation formats may include, but are not limited to, the following options: PowerPoint Presentation, Exhibition, or Online Blog Post.
• Students may not receive this award more than twice.

After consultation with Faculty, Department Scholarship recipients are determined by the Department of Art and Design Chair.

For questions, Eric.Snyder@mtsu.edu or Jennifer.Tweedie@mtsu.edu