Department of Art Scholarships, Awards, and Prizes

• Academic Level: Sophomore or Junior (must be returning to UB for either one or two full academic years after receipt of award) *
• Degree: BA or BFA Art major
• Faculty Reference: Yes
• Portfolio: Yes
• Additional Requirements: Department GPA of 2.5 or higher, Travel Proposal & Budget.

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The Rumsey Travel Award provides funding for summer travel to students who wish to further develop their artistic practice. Applicants participate in a competitive exhibition in the Spring semester, in which the scholarship winner is selected from the Department of Art faculty. Participants' work will be reviewed based on the quality of both the exhibited sample work and the accompanying written travel proposal.

Award recipients are required to showcase the work resulting from their summer study in the 2022 follow-up Rumsey exhibition - If the objective of the proposal is not fulfilled, the recipient will be required to return the award.

The Art Department advisor will verify the eligibility of each applicant, and students select and work directly with a Department of Art Faculty mentor during the application process.        

*IMPORTANT: The Rumsey Travel Award is processed through two applications in the UB Scholarship Portal. When applying, each part must be submitted in order. *

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• Academic Level: Junior or Senior
• Degree: All Art History BA, Studio Art BA, or Studio Art BFA students
• Faculty Reference: No
•             Portfolio: No
• Additional Requirements: Must be in good academic standing and submit an essay.

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The Kerry Grant Memorial Prize is awarded through a competitive essay contest. In their essay, students are challenged to reflect, question, and give voice to the integration of their social, intellectual, and artistic development and to convey the results. The essay is intended to be a profoundly personal assessment emerging from deep, thoughtful deliberation and is not intended to be a biography, an artist's statement, nor conjecture. Essays are not limited to socially conscious artistic goals but may be shaped around technique, philosophy, craft or other themes as desired.

Essays must be between 2,500 and 3,000 words in length. Font must be Times New Roman, 12 point, with 1.5 spacing. In total the essay will between 8-9.5 pages.

The awarding committee will review essays and determine the winner based on the following essential values:

• fidelity to the purpose of the prize essay
• authenticity
• depth of analysis;
• clarity of thought;
• cogency and writing quality
  

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• Academic Level: All (undergraduate and graduate - current and incoming)
• Degree: All Studio Art BA, Studio Art BFA, MFA in Studio Art
• Faculty Reference: Yes
• Portfolio: No
• Additional Requirements: Must show financial need and promise in the Studio Arts

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This fund supports annual scholarships in support of undergraduate and graduate student(s) in the Fine Arts. In addition to the financial need narrative submitted in the General Application, applicants are asked to write a short statement explaining how this scholarship will allow them to pursue their passion for the studio arts.

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• Academic Level: All
• Degree: All Studio Art BA or Studio Art BFA students
• Faculty Reference: Can be provided
•  Portfolio: Yes
• Additional Requirements: Must be in good academic standing (GPA 3.0 or higher)

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Bequested by Virginia W. Sentz on behalf of herself and her late husband, Charles E. Sentz this fund supports annual scholarships for fine arts majors in good academic standing.  Applicants must submit a portfolio of their work for review by Department of Art Faculty.

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• Academic Level: Sophomore or Junior
• Degree: BFA in Studio Art Applicants
• Faculty Reference: Can be provided
• Portfolio: Yes
• Additional Requirements: Must complete the FAFSA

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The Potenza Family established this scholarship in 1976 to support undergraduates at the sophomore or junior level majoring in fine arts with talent, potential and dedication.  Applicants must submit a portfolio of their work for review by Department of Art Faculty – financial need shall be considered but is not the determining factor. Priority is given to students at the junior level.

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• Academic Level: All (undergraduate or graduate)
• Degree: BA Art History, MA Visual Studies, PhD Visual Studies
• Faculty Reference: Can be provided
• Portfolio: No

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This scholarship is funded by gifts to the Department of Art and is intended to support student in the Department studying Art History and/or Visual Studies. The selection of a winner is determined by the Department Chair, in consultation with Art History and Visual Studies Faculty.

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• Academic Level: ANY
• Degree: All Art History BA, Studio Art BA, or Studio Art BFA students
•  Faculty Reference: Can be provided
•  Portfolio: Yes
• Additional Requirements: Demonstrated ability and portfolio in Drawing.

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The Alan E. Cober Memorial Fund supports students who demonstrate exceptional ability, and interest in Drawing. Applicants must submit a portfolio of their work for review by Department of Art Faculty.    

While a reference or sponsor is not required, students are encouraged to include one to support their application.

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• Academic Level:  Junior or Senior (full-time)
• Degree: All Studio Art BA or Studio Art BFA students with the Graphic Design concentration.
• Faculty Reference: Can be provided
• Portfolio: Yes
• Additional Requirements: Must show exceptional potential for design and be in good academic standing.

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Established in 1992 by the Professional Communicators of Western New York, the Dennis Domkowski Memorial Scholarship Fund supports annual scholarships in support of worthy student(s) in the Fine Arts. Applicants must submit a portfolio of their work for review by Department of Art Faculty.

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• Academic Level: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior
• Degree: All Studio Art BA or Studio Art BFA with a specialization and/or major in graphic arts, graphic design, typography, or lithography.
• Faculty Reference: Can be provided
• Portfolio: Yes
• Additional Requirements: Must complete the FAFSA, minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.

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Established in 1988 by Frederick J. Schoelkopf and Toby D. Bloom Schoelkopf in memory of Julius Bloom this scholarship fund supports students in good academic standing who are majoring in in graphic arts, graphic design, typography, or lithography in the Department of Art.  Applicants must submit a portfolio of their work for review by Department of Art Faculty - preference will be given to those with financial need.

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• Academic Level: All (undergraduate or graduate, full-time)
• Degree: Any
• Faculty Reference: Can be provided
• Portfolio: Yes
• Additional Requirements: Must be actively enrolled in a printmaking course within the Department of Art at the time of application submission.

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This fund supports those studying printmaking within the Department of Art at the University at Buffalo.  Applicants must submit a portfolio of their work for review by Department of Art Faculty.

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• Academic Level: All Undergraduate
• Degree: All Studio Art BA or Studio Art BFA with a specialization and/or concentration in Photography
• Faculty Reference: Can be provided
• Portfolio: Yes
• Additional Requirements:
  • Must complete the FAFSA
  • Preference is given to Western New York students and those with outstanding personal character.

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Established in 1999 by William E. Townsend, BA '50, this scholarship is awarded to worthy students pursuing their studies in the Photography Program in the Department of Art. Applicants must submit a portfolio of their work for review by Department of Art Faculty –Preference to Western New York students and those with outstanding personal character. Must complete the FAFSA since financial need may be considered.

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• Academic Level: Junior
• Degree: All Studio Art BA or Studio Art BFA with a specialization and/or concentration in painting
• Faculty Reference: Can be provided
• Portfolio: Yes
• Additional Requirements: Must show outstanding ability & interest in the area of painting

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Established in 1988 by Virginia Cuthbert Elliot this scholarship is based on merit, and not financial need. The scholarship supports juniors in the undergraduate painting major with demonstrated outstanding ability and interest in artistic painting within the Department of Art. Applicants must submit a portfolio of their work for review by Department of Art Faculty.

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• Academic Level: Juniors/Seniors (undergraduate)
• Degree: BA in Studio Art or BFA
• Portfolio: Yes
  

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This annual award supports a Junior or Senior student who is proficient in various techniques and innovative approaches to 3D production and who demonstrates an accomplished approach to object/material understanding.  The selection of a recipient is determined by the Sculpture Faculty.