Art & Design Scholarship Application Best Practices
Below are some quick tips and helpful resources that can better assist in you creating your scholarship application folder. Don't hesitate to reach out to a faculty member in your studio area for further guidance and feedback.
What type of work should I include in my application portfolio?
- Work that aligns with your interests/reflects the type of work you want to make
- Some works may be from entry-level courses and that's OK--include your best quality work that showcases a range of skill and understanding of media
- QUALITY over QUANTITY--as long as you meet the minimum image requirements, no need to include other works that may not be up to par
File Formats:
For Photographs of Artwork, Print Design, and Digital Work:
- JPEG or PNG
- Be sure images are good quality/resolution
- If images are grainy or fuzzy, double check your image save/export settings
For Video and Animation:
- For time-based work submissions, MP4 Format is more versatile than .MOV, but both are too large to include in digital portfolios
- Ideal Submission Format: Upload to YouTube or Vimeo, then submit the URLs to include time-based work in your scholarship application
- Links should be copied/pasted into the Google Slides Template
Photographing Work
- Be sure that the work is well lit; refrain from using harsh overhead lighting; natural
or soft/diffused light works best
- The Department of Art & Design has a few sets of studio lighting for this purpose, ask your instructor for more details
- Focus on the artwork only, be sure to place/stage the artwork in a space that doesn't take away from the art; for example a neutral background, etc.
- Provide detail and close up shots when necessary; close ups show details such as fine line quality, textures, etc.
Quick Video Resources for Photographing Artwork:
Shooting Artwork with a Smart Phone
How Do I Draft a Statement About My Work?
- Use good grammar, spelling, and complete sentences--get a proofreader, a human one
- Write a brief statement (1-2 paragraphs) that summarizes your work:
- What motivates you to create?
- Is there a central theme or idea in your work?
- Why do you create this type of work?
- What is your overall creative vision?
- Where do you see this work/your creative direction going?
- It’s OK to critique yourself and point out areas of growth/weakness/what you can improve
on--just address how you are doing that and what your plan is
- If you’re just starting out, you may not have a full body of work yet that completely caters to your full creative philosophy, and that’s OK, just write about the variety of work as a whole
- Need more help? Use the Link below for some useful tips/examples:
How Do I Write a Cover Letter?
- Use good grammar and spelling--again, get a proofreader
- Remember to address:
- What scholarships you are applying for (Arrowmont, Financial, or Both)
- Artistic / creative achievements
- Academic achievements
- A statement of need
- This addresses financial need and how receiving scholarship money would alleviate or lessen barriers/boundaries towards paying for your education
- How would being awarded scholarship money benefit/assist you in achieving your goals and advancing toward your degree and intended career goals?
- Anything else the scholarship committee should consider, such as ways you’ve been involved in the department or arts / design community; leadership or mentorship roles you’ve taken in and outside of class; and all the ways you are awesome!
- Also remember, this is a letter, be sure to address the scholarship committee and
remember, you are writing to the Art faculty--it’s ok to be personable, but be sure
to treat this as a professional letter/form of communication
- Need extra help? An example? https://scholarshipowl.com/blog/apply-for-scholarships/write-a-killer-cover-letter-for-a-scholarship-w-example/
Also--we have a writing center on campus, take advantage of that!!
- Writing Center Hours/Info: https://www.wku.edu/writingcenter/
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.