Department Scholarships

The Endowment for the Arts Scholarship:

Two--one for visual art & one for dance-incoming freshmen

 

The Endowment for the Arts Scholarship for the Arts provides funding assistance to talented arts students entering UT Martin. The Department of Visual and Theatre Arts awards two Scholarships each fall, one to the Visual Arts and one to Dance.

 

Up to $1,500 will be awarded to a deserving visual art and/or dance student spread out over the fall and spring semesters during the first year. Students receiving the award must major in the BFA program with an emphasis in Art Education, Graphic Design, Visual Art, or Dance Education for that school year. 

The Endowment for the Arts Visual Arts Scholarship submission requirements:

Portfolio Submission

 

Students should send between 8-12 e-mail digital images or jpegs. Please title each image with applicant’s first letter of first name, last name, and corresponding number. If there are multiple images of the same piece, add an additional letter to the number. Students can also make an appointment for a personal interview and portfolio review.

 

Image titling example: John Smith’s first image=J.Smith#1

 

Multiple pics of same Image label: J.Smith #1a, J.Smith#1b

Suggested Portfolio Content

 

  1. Drawings from life or observation
    *These drawings they can be subjectively of anything, but there are certain things that are clear talent indicators. One is the ability to demonstrate clear depth in a composition by showing background, middle ground, and foreground. We also look to see if the student can demonstrate a full value range on both the subject matter and surrounding spaces where it applies.

    *These works can be in black and white or color, and in wet or dry media. Form can be achieved through blending or optical mixtures; we just want to see that applicants can demonstrate their ability to transition value to make objects and subjects look 3 dimensional. 
  2. Consistency across media.
    *We get a lot of portfolios that are filled with every type of project known. These vary from experimental to basic. Versatility in a portfolio is great, but only when it is consistent. Too often submitted scholarship portfolios show a desire to demonstrate every type of project a student has ever done, and there is a noticeable drop off in certain media that the student is not skilled at. Variety for the sake of variety. We would rather see fewer media explored and the quality be consistent across the board than have lesser pieces distract from the good pieces a student has created.

    * So, IF you make great drawings and collage work, submit that. There is no need to add variety just to demonstrate that you’ve attempted it.
  3. No fan art or anime please. Unless it shows off some amazing talent or aspect of a foundation skill, it is generally a thing we don’t care to see.
  4. If you submit 3D work, please include multiple images of it (sculpture, ceramics, etc.) so the panel can get an accurate idea of its full qualities. 

Submissions will be accepted no later than Friday, March 27, 2022. 

 

Students work can be mailed or e-mailed to the following address:

 

Atten. Dr. Carol Eckert
Department of Visual and Theatre Arts 
16 Mt. Pelia Rd. 201 Fine Arts Bldg. 
The University of Tennessee at Martin 
Martin , TN 38238 
ceckert@utm.edu
Phone 731-881-7400

 

Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of mailed work.

The Endowment for the Arts Dance Education Scholarship submission requirements:

Students receiving the award must major in the BFA program with an emphasis in dance education concentration for that school year.

Scholarship Audition Process for Dance Education:

 

Audition: Video or In-Person Class

 

Creativity/Choreography: Scholarship Solo/Styles (choice of styles listed below)

 

(Students have the option of submitting video clips - YouTube or google drive is suggested)

  • African
  • Ballet
  • Contemporary
  • Jazz
  • Lyrical
  • Tap
  • Hip Hop

Students have the option of submitting video clips. If you submit a video clip, please make sure it is clear and make sure we know that we can see you in the class- a YouTube link or google drive is suggested. Or, you may choose to audition in person by arrangement with Professor McCormick on campus.

Written Paper on Why You Want to Be a Dance Educator

To be submitted to the following email: smccorm6@utm.edu 

 

In your paper please share your experiences of dance as a dancer/performer or perhaps teaching in a studio and how those experiences make you want to be a dance educator in the K-12 TN public school system. Please write 1-2 pages double-spaced – you may submit a word document via the email above or provide a hard copy during audition process. 

 

Submissions will be accepted no later than: Friday, March 27, 2022

 

If you have further questions and/or are sending video clip links and written paper, please send to the following email address:

 

Sarah McCormick, MFA

Professor of Dance Education

K-12 Dance Education Licensure Program

Department of Visual & Theatre Arts

University of Tennessee Martin

Martin, TN 38238

smccorm6@utm.edu

Joan Matheny-McGraw Scholarship

Sometimes split between Theatre/Dance

The Joan Matheny-McGraw Scholarship provides funding assistance to talented students entering UT Martin in the BFA degree program with a Theatre emphasis but sometimes awarded to Dance Education emphasis as well. 

 

Up to $2,500 will be awarded spread out over the fall and spring semesters during the first year. Students receiving the award must major in the BFA program with an emphasis in Theatre (or Dance Education) for that school year. 

 

Auditions for the scholarship will be held by appointment. Call (731-881-7400) for an audition appointment. Auditions will be held no later than Friday, March 27, 2020. students must be prepared with two one-minute monologues. One from a serious play and one from a comedy.

 

 If a student is unable to appear at a personal audition a video with examples of student work can be mailed to the following address:

 

 Atten. Dr. Carol Eckert
Department of Visual and Theatre Arts 
16 Mt. Pelia Rd. 201 Fine Arts Bldg. 
The University of Tennessee at Martin 
Martin , TN 38238 
ceckert@utm.edu
Phone 731-881-7400 

The Nancy Eckert Scholarship

A cash award up to $500 will be given to one or two BFA: Art Education emphasis students each Fall and Spring Semester, to help pay for expenses during their Student Teaching Internship. Applicants will submit an essay explaining financial need and how the additional funds will be used. Deadline for submissions will be the Friday of the 12th week of Fall or Spring Semester for consideration to be awarded the following semester. 

 

Submit applications to Dr. Carol Eckert
FA 263
881-7897
ceckert@utm.edu

The League of Striving Artists Achievement Scholarship

A cash award up to $500 will be given to BFA: Art Studio, Art Education, or Graphic Design emphasis student each Spring Semester. This achievement award will be made to sophomore, junior, or senior art students whose dedication to their work throughout the school year is deserving of recognition. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA to become eligible. This scholarship will be awarded as a part of the annual Honors Day ceremonies. This scholarship is decided on by the officers of The League of Striving Artists.

The William Snyder Scholarship (endowed)

A cash award up to $900 will be given to BFA: Theatre emphasis student each Spring Semester. This achievement award will be made to sophomore, junior, or senior theatre students whose dedication to their work throughout the school year is deserving of recognition. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA to become eligible. This scholarship is decided on by the Visual and Theatre Arts theatre faculty.

Snyder Visual Arts Scholarship Award

$1000 awarded yearly in the Spring for the following Fall. Foundation reviews take place in December, so eligible students will be notified by December 30th Deadline for submission will be: January 31st

  • Students that score in the top 20% on the Foundation Review (usually in the Sophomore year, or year of transfer) will be eligible to apply for the SVASA
  • To apply they will submit:
    • A resume that highlights Academics, Service and Scholarship
    • An essay providing a synopsis of their involvement with and dedication to the arts (250-500 words)
  • Recipient of the scholarship will be chosen by a panel of Art faculty after reviewing the submissions.

Snyder Dance and Theatre Freshman Scholarship

$1000 each year alternately awarded to a Dance Education or Theatre Major for the Fall of the following year. Auditions will be arranged through the Department of Visual & Theatre Arts. Deadline for submission is the last Friday in March

  • Must meet all Admission requirements and be admitted to UT Martin
  • Audition
    • Dance Education—participate in a dance technique class & interview
    • Theatre—perform two contrasting monologues (1-2 minutes each) & interview
  • Recipient of the scholarship will be chosen by a panel of Dance & Theatre Faculty based on scores from the performance and interview.

Dance Education Program

Students in the Dance Program at The University of Tennessee at Martin have many options for studying dance.

View Dance Education Program >

 

Vanguard Theatre

View Vanguard Theatre >