Art and Design Scholarships
We are committed to helping you invest in your future. That’s why we offer a variety of scholarship awards at both the university and department levels. This includes four scholarships that are available to incoming freshmen and transfer students! Please see eligibility requirements below:
Updated full eligibility requirements are listed on the current year application.
All incoming freshman or transfer students intending to major in Art are eligible.
Stephen L. Barstow Memorial Art Scholarship
Financial Need
Seven awards
Awarded based on financial need, emphasizing promoting Native Americans in the Arts.
Eligibility:
1: Meet Office of Financial Aid requirements for financial aid.
2: Signed Art major
3: Minimum GPA in Art of 2.5 for first-year students, 3.0 for all other students.
4: Must be a full-time student for the 2024 – 25 academic year
5: Previous recipients may reapply
Stephen L. Barstow Memorial Art Prize
Native American & Other
Four awards
Preference is given to Native Americans, all art majors may apply.
Eligibility:
1: A tribal ID from a State or Federally recognized Native American tribe (if applicable)
2: Signed Art major
3: Minimum GPA in Art of 2.5 for first-year students, 3.0 for all other levels
4: Previous recipients may reapply
Katherine Ardis Ux Art Scholarship
In support of Senior Year Presentations/ Exhibitions
Five awards
Established in 2001 by Evart and Dorothy Ardis in honor of his sister Katherine Ardis Ux, former art department faculty member and accomplished artist. This endowment supports awards for undergraduate students entering their senior year pursuing a degree in the Department of Art and Design within the College of Arts and Media. Preference given to students who intend to pursue further study or conduct research in the field of art in a master’s program or other type of structured art program after completing their undergraduate degree.
Eligibility:
1: Senior standing at CMU for the 2024-25 academic year
2: Signed Art major
3. Must be a full-time student for the 2024 – 25 academic year
Evelyn Frye-Smith Scholarship
Open
Two awards
Eligibility:
1: Freshmen, Sophomore, or Junior standing at CMU for the 2024-25 academic year
2: Signed Art major
3: Minimum GPA in Art of 3.5.
4: Previous recipients may reapply
Williams & Koerner Scholarship in Art & Design
Multi Media Design Minor
One award:
This scholarship was established in 2021 by Cody Williams ’17 and Katia Koerner ‘17. Cody and Katia were classmates at CMU and have remained friends since graduating.
First preference is given to students enrolled in the Multimedia Design minor. Second preference will be given to Graphic Design and/or Animation majors. All art majors may apply.
Eligibility:
1: Junior or Senior Standing at CMU for the 2024-25 academic year
2: Minimum GPA in Art of 3.0
3: Must be a full-time student for the 2024-25 academic year
4: non-renewable
Frances E. Fitch Art Scholarship
Open for Junior or Seniors
One award
Eligibility:
1: Junior or Senior standing at CMU for the 2024-25 academic year
2: Signed Art major
3: Minimum GPA in Art of 3.5
4: Previous recipients are not eligible to reapply for this scholarship
David R. Fisher Memorial Award
Financial Need - Photography
One award
Eligibility:
1: Meet Office of Financial Aid requirements for financial aid
2: Signed Art major
3: Minimum GPA in Art of 3.0
4: Must be a full-time student for the 2024-25 academic year
5: Interest in photography
6: Previous recipients may reapply
John W. & Marilyn D. Richards Art & Design Scholarship
Financial Need - Sculpture or Ceramics
One award
Eligibility:
1: Junior or Senior Standing at CMU for the 2024-25 academic year
2: Meet Office of Financial Aid requirements for financial aid
3: Signed Art major
4: Minimum GPA in Art of 3.0
5: Must be a full-time student for the 2024-25 academic year
6: Interest in sculpture or ceramics
Art and design study away scholarships
These scholarships are awarded in the Fall for the following Summer.
Evelyn Frye-Smith Summer Workshop Award
1-week summer workshop (including room & board) at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN
Eligibility:
Junior or Senior standing at CMU
Signed Art major
Minimum GPA in Art of 3.0
Must be a full-time student
Lon Ferguson Memorial & Friends of Art & Design Travel Endowment for Study Away
Eligibility:
Signed Art major
Minimum GPA 3.0
Non-renewable
Gilbert A. Maxwell Endowed Award in Art for International/National Study
Eligibility:
Signed Art major
Junior status (at the time of application)
Must be a full-time student for the entire academic year
Non-renewable
University-level scholarships
Financial aid opportunities are available at the University's Financial Aid Site. Learn more about tuition and fees or find out your costs by using the CMU Cost of Attendance Calculator.
Incoming freshmen who have applied to CMU are automatically considered for CMU's Merit Scholarships. Submit a complete application including all supporting materials by December 1 for priority consideration.