VMFA Visual Arts Fellowships – Undergraduate
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The VMFA Visual Arts Fellowships have for over 80 years been supporting professional artists and students with exceptional abilities to build on their talents. The program supports young artists in helping them complete their studies and develop professional careers in art.
The scholarship on offer is open to all Virginia resident college-bound high school seniors or graduates, or current undergraduate students. The VMFA Visual Arts Fellowships is worth $4,000 and is awarded to eight students annually. Applicants must be enrolled full-time and stay enrolled through the following year.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), the fellowship sponsor, was launched in 1940 through a donation by the late John Lee Pratt of Fredericksburg. VMFA is an art museum in Richmond, Virginia, in the United States that opened in 1936. The Commonwealth of Virginia owns and operates the museum.
Scholarship Summary
The VMFA Visual Arts Fellowships have for over 80 years been supporting professional artists and students with exceptional abilities to build on their talents. The program supports young artists in helping them complete their studies and develop professional careers in art.
The scholarship on offer is open to all Virginia resident college-bound high school seniors or graduates, or current undergraduate students. The VMFA Visual Arts Fellowships is worth $4,000 and is awarded to eight students annually. Applicants must be enrolled full-time and stay enrolled through the following year.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), the fellowship sponsor, was launched in 1940 through a donation by the late John Lee Pratt of Fredericksburg. VMFA is an art museum in Richmond, Virginia, in the United States that opened in 1936. The Commonwealth of Virginia owns and operates the museum.
Eligibility Requirements
- Eligible Grade: Undergraduate
- Maximum Age: Any
- Required GPA: Any
- Geographic Eligibility: Virginia
- Gender: Any
- Race/Ethnicity: Any
Key Information of VMFA Visual Arts Fellowships – Undergraduate
Study Details
Area of Study
- Arts
- Visual Arts
Country of Study
United States
Specific Schools
Any
Application Requirements
Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.
- Present Work Experiences
- Portfolio
- Essay
- Grade transcript
VMFA Visual Arts Fellowships – Undergraduate Timeline
June 1
Application Opening Date
Applications open in June.
November 3
Submission Deadline
The submission deadline is in November.
Third Week February
Awards Announcement Date
Winners are announced in February.
How to ace the VMFA Visual Arts Fellowships – Undergraduate
Start the application process right away
You should start the application process as soon as possible. This will allow you enough time to acquire all necessary documents, complete all forms, and work on your personal statement. Have everything organized and planned to avoid any last-minute complications.
Personal statement objective and review
Your essay is your voice and the complete picture of your character, ambitions, and abilities. Make it concise, and interesting – it should capture your pursuit of art. Tell the judges your story and what you hope to achieve. Stay focused and get a second or third eye review from your mentor or instructor.
Share your grade transcripts
For the internal verification of your academic records, you’ll submit an unofficial grade transcript.
Submit a current résumé
You’ll include a current résumé with your application which is only for their internal use, not for the jurors. Your resume must include previous certificates, honors, or awards if applicable. It should also include your extracurricular activities.
How the VMFA Visual Arts Fellowships – Undergraduate is Judged
The application review is purely on merit because jurors won’t see your name or personal documents. They’ll make blind selections based on the work presented.
Why We Love the VMFA Visual Arts Fellowships – Undergraduate
It’s a renewable scholarship
The fellowship program can be renewed for eligible students each year. This program can ease the financial burden and help students complete their studies.
No discrimination
The program is open to all Virginia residents as long as they meet the scholarship requirements. It supports equality and has no discrimination against gender, race, ethnicity, religion, etc.
The Fellowship is flexible on some requirements
There may be a consideration for half-year fall semester fellowship awards worth $2,000 on a case-by-case basis for full-time students who plan to graduate in December 2023.
5 Facts About VMFA Visual Arts Fellowships
For Virginia residents only
Only residents of Virginia are eligible to apply and must provide proof of residence.
It is renewable
Eligible recipients can renew their scholarship award.
Full-time students in Virginia are eligible
Those enrolled full-time at accredited universities and colleges in Virginia and paying tuition are considered residents.
The adjudication is a blind selection
The jurors don’t see your personal information or your name. They make blind selections of the work presented to reach the final decisions.
VMFA vital center for development of visual arts
VMFA has built a reputation as a consistent and reliable source of funding for visual arts and art history in Virginia.