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 $3,000, $4,000 and $5,000 annually. These scholarships may be combined with other academic scholarships. Applicants must have applied and have been admitted to the university for the 2026-2027 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. The deadline for the 2025 Fine Arts Scholarship has passed. Information for the 2026 Fine Arts Scholarship will be posted in Fall 2025.

Creative Writing Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to non-majors, majors, and minors: any student who intends to continue their passion for writing throughout their university experience.

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

Music Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to non-majors, majors, and minors. Recipients of these scholarships are 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 are expected to audition with 4 to 7 minutes of music, preferably on two pieces of contrasting style. Students will have access to one of Transylvania’s piano accompanists to use for their audition.
• Choral/Vocal Music: Students are expected to audition on two pieces of contrasting style. Students will have access to one of Transylvania’s piano accompanists to use for their audition.
• Music Technology: Students are expected to submit a portfolio of works they have created.

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: Students are expected to 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: Students are expected to write a one-page essay explaining why they want to study art history at Transylvania University. 

Theater Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to non-majors, majors, and minors: any student who intends to continue their passion for theater throughout their university experience.

• Performance: This includes students interested in the areas of acting, directing, and playwriting.
  • Students are expected to audition with a maximum of a two-minute, memorized monologue (classic or contemporary). 
• Design Tech: This includes students interested in the areas of design (set, lights, sound, costume, props, projection), technical direction (robotics and construction), and technology operators.
  • Students are expected to provide a portfolio of their theater experience. Portfolios can include photos of productions that the student has provided technical support for with a description of responsibilities for the production.
• Stage Management: This includes students interested in the areas of stage management and run crew.
  • Students are expected to provide a portfolio of their theater experience. Portfolios can include photos of productions that the student has provided technical support for with a description of responsibilities for the production.

All theater scholarship recipients will enroll in the Technical Theater course in their first semester and theater practicum (¼ credit) in the fall and winter terms during their four years at Transy. Students are 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.

Please contact the Fine Arts Scholarship Coordinator, Alexis Mitchell at FAScholarship@transy.edu, Maurice Manning (creative writing) Greg Partain (music program director), Tim Polashek (music tech), Kurt Gohde (studio art and art history) or Tosha Fowler (theater) for additional details concerning auditions, portfolios or interviews for fine arts scholarships.