Fine Arts Scholarships

Transylvania University is a destination for the arts.

Nestled in the heart of a vibrant cultural center, Transylvania offers countless opportunities to participate in the arts and learn in a liberal arts environment. Whether you plan to major in a fine arts field or nurture artistic passion as a side interest, we invite you to leave your mark on Transylvania’s long and rich artistic tradition.

Fine Arts Departmental Scholarships

Incoming first-year students may compete for scholarships in the fine arts with awards of $1,000, $2,000, and $3,000 annually. These scholarships may be combined with other academic scholarships. Applicants must have applied and have been admitted to the university for the 2023-2024 school year before being considered for fine arts scholarships.

Students may compete for more than one Fine Arts Scholarship. If awarded more than one, students will be able to choose which one to receive.

2023 Fine Arts Scholarship Program

Auditions and interviews will take place in person on January 20th and 21st, 2023. There will be virtual options for students who are unable to make it to campus. The deadline to participate for Fall 2023 has passed.

Please contact the Fine Arts Scholarship Coordinators, Alexis Mitchell, and Amanda Stoddard, at FAScholarship@transy.edu with any questions.

Creative Writing Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to majors and minors in Creative Writing; English; or Writing, Rhetoric, and Communications. Recipients also must serve on the staff of The Transylvanian, the campus literary magazine, for four semesters during their time at Transylvania.

• Submitted works can be in the form of fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, screenwriting, or playwriting. Submit a maximum of 5 pages of poetry or a maximum of 10 pages of prose writing.

Music Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to non-majors, majors, and minors. Recipients of these scholarships will be expected to participate in their assigned ensemble for each semester the scholarship is maintained — up to eight semesters — and enroll in four semesters of free private lessons.

• Instrumental Music: Students will be expected to audition with 4 to 7 minutes of music, preferably on two pieces of contrasting styles. Students will have access to one of Transylvania’s piano accompanists to use for their audition. (If auditioning virtually, please submit a video recording performing this music. Recordings may include an accompaniment). 
• Music Technology/Composing: Students will be expected to submit a portfolio of works they have created.
• Choral/Vocal Music: Students will be expected to audition two pieces of contrasting styles. Students will have access to one of Transylvania’s piano accompanists to use for their audition. (If auditioning virtually, please submit a video recording performing this music. Recordings may include an accompaniment).

Studio Art and Art History Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to majors and minors in Studio Art, Digital Arts and Media, and Art History.

• Studio Art: Studio art students must submit a portfolio with no more than 10 selections by the application deadline. Students are encouraged to bring their original artwork to their interview, though it is not required.
• Art History: Art history students must submit a one-page essay on why they wish to study art history at Transylvania.

Theater Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to non-majors, majors, and minors to students who intend to continue their passion for theater throughout their university experience.

All theater scholarship recipients will enroll in the Technical Theater course (THEA 1314) in their first semester in order to prepare them for their work within the theater. They are required to enroll in Theater Practicum (THEA 1001 – a 1/4 course credit) 2 terms each school year (Fall, Winter, or May) throughout their four years at Transy. Theater Practicum assignments include: acting, directing, designing or assistant designing (costumes, sets, lights, sound, video-projection, hair & make-up), stage management, build crew, painting, run crew, electric work, board operator (sound, lights, projections), props master, and box office. All scholarship students must be an active member of the Theater Guild Student Organization.

• Theater Performance: This includes students interested in the areas of acting, directing, and playwriting
  • Students will be expected to submit a headshot (or recent photograph) and a theater resume. The image and resume should be saved as one completed PDF with the headshot and photograph on the first page and resume on the second page. Please see the resume template.
  • Students will be expected to audition with a maximum two-minute, memorized monologue (classic or contemporary).  (If auditioning virtually, please submit a video recording performing this monologue).
  • Directors must also submit an artist statement or portfolio of their directing work.
  • Playwrights must also submit either a 10-minute play or scene that they have written.
  • Theater Practicum assignments for this particular area include auditioning for main-stage productions and performing if cast. If a student is not cast, they will be assigned to work in technical theater or stage management areas.
• Technical Theater: This includes students interested in the areas of design (set, lights, sound, costume, props, projection), technical direction (robotics & construction), and technology operators.
  • Students will be expected to submit a headshot (or recent photograph) and a theater resume. The image and resume should be saved as one completed PDF with the headshot and photograph on the first page and resume on the second page. Please see the resume template.
  • Provide a portfolio of theater experience to be reviewed by theater faculty at the interview. Portfolios can include photos of productions that the student has provided technical support for with a description of the student’s responsibilities for the production.
  • Theater Practicum assignments for this particular area include assuming leadership roles in an assigned area for main-stage productions (ie: assistant to the set designer, sound board operator, costume stitcher).
• Stage Management – This includes students interested in the areas of stage management & run crew.
  • Students will be expected to submit a headshot (or recent photograph) and a theater resume. The image and resume should be saved as one completed PDF with the headshot and photograph on the first page and resume on the second page. Please see the resume template.
  • Provide a portfolio of theater experience to be reviewed by theater faculty at the interview. Portfolios can include photos of productions that the student has provided management or technical support for with a description of the student’s responsibilities for the production.
  • Theater Practicum assignments for this particular area include working as a run crew during the winter of their first year, assistant stage managing in their second year, and stage managing in their third and fourth years.

---

Please contact the Fine Arts Scholarship Coordinators, Alexis Mitchell, and Amanda Stoddard, at FAScholarship@transy.edu, Maurice Manning (creative writing) Ben Hawkins (instrumental music), Tim Polashek (music tech), Regan MacNay (vocal/choral music), Kurt Gohde (studio art and art history) or Tosha Fowler (theater) for additional details concerning auditions, portfolios or interviews for fine arts scholarships.