Department of Art & Art History

How to Apply for Scholarships and Awards

The Department of Art and Art History, California State University, Chico, scholarship competition takes place during the spring semester each academic year. Scholarships are awarded during the spring for implementation the following academic year.

How to Apply

There are two steps in the application process:

  1. Fill out the University Scholarship Application. The 2023-24 scholarship application will open Jan. 2nd and close Feb. 15nd. Letters of recommendation are due by February 20th. ***Please Note: You MUST apply to the University Scholarship if you want to apply to the Art Dept. Scholarship.***

  2. Fill out the Art Department Scholarship Application located in the box on the right side of this page. Please click on the appropriate link for instructions and a checklist for your area of emphasis . Art Department scholarship applications and materials are due to the Art Office via email (art@csuchico.edu) by March 10th, 5:00 pm. If you are applying for the scholarship and have an emphasis in Art Education, please use the Application Instructions for Art Studio. 

Digital Porfolio Information

Upload in full resolution to any USB digital storage device and turn into the Art Department Office; Ayres 107 before 5:00pm Friday March 10th

File Requirements:
  • 15 - 20 images
  • Only .jpeg files. (no .HEIC) 
  • All .jpeg files should be between 1-2 MB 
  • All files to be titled, with year and medium of each piece 
  • All files evenly lit and appropriately framed.  

Articles that may prove useful for applicants putting together their first digital portfolio linked below:

This article will help improve the documentation of your work(opens in new window)

Youtube Video: 

Contact the dept chair of the scholarship committee J. Pouwels with questions.

General Financial Aid Resources

Selection criteria for these awards are based upon scholarship, quality, merit, and with some scholarships, financial need. Awards are announced by mail.

The scholarship competition is open to undergraduate students who are currently enrolled and declared art majors OR entering freshmen who declare an art major.

Art Specific Scholarships

  • Interior Architecture

    Interior Architecture

    • Florence V. Ritchie -
      • Financial need may be considered.
      • Junior or senior (seniors must have at least 1 semester remaining).  
      • Record of service to the department, major or university should be considered.  
      • Art and Art History Department requests an Art Portfolio.
    • Luella Hopton Madsen
      • Graduate of a high school in Butte County.*
        • If insufficient applications from Butte County then can select from counties that adjoin Butte (Colusa, Glenn, Plumas, Sutter, Tehama, Yuba).  
      • Art and Art History Department requests an Art Portfolio.
      • Scholarships provided for deserving students based on scholarship, financial need or both.
  • Printmaking

    Printmaking

    • Janet Turner Memorial
      • Scholarship for students in B.A., B.F.A., or M.A degree in Art Program.
      • Must have completed at least two courses in printmaking (will be verified).
      • Upper division undergraduate and graduate students.
      • Minimum overall gpa 3.0.
      • Art Department requests a portfolio.
  • Various Art Studio Requirements

    Studio Arts

    • Monty Betty Art Studio Scholarship
      • Students must be in the Art Studio program with a focus on one of the following:
        • Ceramics
        • Painting
        • Drawing
        • Sculpture.
      • If no students meet the criteria in an award cycle, the pool of applicants may be opened to students in any focus in the Art Studio Major.
    • Pedro Matrinez Memorial
      • Major Option: Art (Art Studio or Art Studio BFA)
      • Minimum overall gpa 2.5
      • Financial need
      • Enrollment status: Continuing
      • Class level: JR, SR
      • Recipient must be pursuing a BA or BFA in Art Studio
      • Art and Art History Department requests an Art Portfolio.
    • Pierce/Trucksess Studio Art 
      • Must be BFA (Bachelor of Fine Art) or MFA (Masters of Fine Art)
      • Class Level: Sophomore, junior, senior or graduate
      • Minimum overall gpa 3.0
      • 1st preference:
        • Demonstrated interest in watermedia, including transparent or gouache watercolor, acrylic, casein, printmaking, and other mixed media on paper support that includes watermedia prominently.
      • 2nd preference:
        • Demonstrated interest in painting and drawing in all media.
      • If no eligible applicants meeting first two preferences:
        • Demonstrated interest in any area of art studio as long as they evidence a foundational ability in creative processes and a sincere interest in pursuing a career in art.
      • * In the case of equally eligible candidates, preference is for the student with greater financial need.
      • Art and Art History Department requests a portfolio.
    • Richard Hornaday Memorial
      • Major: Art, Art Studio option
      • Minimum overall gpa 3.0
      • Continuing junior or senior
      • Financial Need
      • Preference is for a student pursuing a BFA with an emphasis in painting and drawing whose artistic focus is representational realism (as opposed to abstract or "anti-art".
      • Art Department requests an art portfolio.
  • All Art Fields

    All Art Fields

    • Kenneth and Donna Morrow Memorial
      • This scholarship was established to help students in the Department of Art and Art History finish their degrees.
      • Can be awarded based on merit or financial need. 
      • Art and Art History Department requests an Art Portfolio.
    • Mary Ahlquist Memorial
      • This scholarship was established in memory of Mary Ahlquist to support students with a major in the Art and Art History Department.  
      • Art and Art History Department requests an Art Portfolio.
    • Ruby Ravekes
      • This scholarship was established to support deserving students majoring in the art field.  
      • Financial need.
      • Department of Art and Art History requests an art portfolio.
    • Sarah Frisbie Hamilton - Art & Art Education
      • Major: Department of Art and Art History or Single Subject Art Teaching credential.
      • Financial Need 
      • Minimum overall gpa 2.0
      • Art and Art History Department requests an Art portfolio.
      • Scholarship to be selected on the basis of financial need and scholarship.
        It is dedicated to students preparing for careers in art or art teaching.
    • The Dr. Carol Channing & Harry Kulijian Scholarship 
      • Major in  Music and Theatre Department or Art and Art History Department, including those pursuing degrees in music education and art education,
      • Minimum overall gpa 3.0
      • Music and Theatre Department requires an audition/interview
      • Art and Art History Department requests an Art Portfolio

Exhibition Awards

The Juried Student Art Exhibition

David & Shari Hopper Award

Sarah Canfield Anderson Award

Turner Print Museum Student Exhibition

Jerril Dean & Pat Kopp Student Print Prize

Paul Feldhaus Print Prize

Marion Epting Print Prize

The Jack Windsor Ink/Clay Prize