Scholarships and Awards in Art & Art History
The Department of Art & Art History offers a number of merit-based scholarships to recognize high-achieving students and to provide financial support. We strongly encourage students to apply for these scholarship awards. Applications are evaluated and recipients are selected by faculty committees in Studio Art and Art History. The scholarship will be credited to your university account as follows: half of the award will be made during the fall semester, and half in the spring semester. Each award requires a specific application procedure, as noted below. The deadline for this academic year's scholarship award applications is April 5. Eligibility is based on your social class and major declaration status as of the time of your application.
Please see links below with information regarding to whom your applications are to be emailed. All applications are found on line (click on the links below). Announcement of awards will be made in May.
Studio Art
Joseph Palin Thorley Scholarships in Art
Eligibility: Sophomore & Junior declared majors in Studio Art (with the exception of Architecture). Established in 1988 with a legacy from the donor, an internationally known ceramicist, these awards are based on merit.
J. Binford Walford Scholarships in Architecture
Eligibility: Current students studying Architecture in the Department. Incoming freshmen are also eligible to apply. These awards were established in 1979 with a legacy from J. Binford Walford, an architect well known in Virginia, and his wife Aurelia Behm Walford. Awards are based on merit.
The Caitlin Clavette Memorial Scholarship for Art Supplies
Eligibility: Established in 2019 in honor of Caitlin Clavette ’06, this merit-based scholarship is open to all declared Studio Art majors who will be returning to the College in the fall.
Webster - Navarrete Excellence in Art History Award
Eligibility: Seniors studying Art History in the Department. An annual award of excellence established in 2020 by Professor Susan V. Webster, Jane W. Mahoney Emerita of Art History and American Studies, and her husband Hornán Navarrete, a photographer. Awards are based on merit. Recipients and award amounts will be determined by a faculty committee; no application is required.
Leslie Cheek Jr. Scholarship in Art History
Eligibility: All declared majors who are studying Art History in the Department. Leslie Cheek was the Chair of the Department in 1937-39, a distinguished critic, and the acclaimed Director of the Virginia Museum of Fine Art. This award, established in 1979, is based on merit. Applications consist of a statement (500 words) of how your study of art history relates to your career objectives; a current transcript from BannerWeb; and one letter of recommendation from an Art History faculty member.
J. Binford Walford Scholarships in Architecture
Eligibility: Current students studying Architectural history in the Department. Incoming freshmen are also eligible to apply. These awards were established in 1979 with a legacy from J. Binford Walford, an architect well known in Virginia, and his wife Aurelia Behm Walford. These awards are based on merit.
Reves Center Opportunities for Students
Here are grants and internships available for W&M students that we recommend through the Reves Center.
Holmes Scholarship
Need-based scholarship for Art and Art History majors to study abroad in Florence, Italy. Preference will be given to Art History concentrators in their Junior or Senior year. Awards are up to $3,200. Application deadlines vary for awards of spring, fall, summer, and academic year.
Charles Center Opportunities for Students
Here are grants and internships available for W&M students that we recommend through the Charles Center.
Louis E. Catron Grant for Artistic Development
These grants support the artistic growth of talented students in the creative and performing arts through off-campus educational experiences, either at a formal educational institution or through structured practical hands-on exposure, in the United States or abroad (when travel is allowed), for a summer or a semester. We encourage Catron grant recipients to enhance their talents through academic or studio classes, structured hands-on experiences, or a combination of the two. Although the number of awards and funding amounts vary, the maximum awarded is $5,000.
Woody Internships Scholarships in Museum Studies
These scholarships fund undergraduate summer internships at museums across the United States, including the J. Paul Getty Museum, The Phillips Collection, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, Colonial Williamsburg, and The Taft Museum of Art. The scholarship supports students with an interest in museum administration an opportunity to intern and conduct research at a respected museum that exhibits art, historical materials, etc. to the public. All interns will receive a grant to complete ten full-time weeks of intern and research activities during the summer. Each award is $4,000. Applications opens in fall for competition of the following summer.
Freeman Intern Fellowships in Asia
These fellowships support 22 summer internships (including museum interns) in all countries in East Asia, with the exception of South Asia (e.g., India and Pakistan). The duration of the internship must be a minimum of eight full-time weeks. Students may identify their own internship or apply to be placed in one of the pre-arranged internships. United States citizens in all academic fields of study are encouraged to apply. Awards are up to $5,000. Applications opens in the fall for competition of the following year.
