Art & Art History Scholarships

The scholarships and application on this page are for scholarships offered only through the Art & Art History Department.

Students are encouraged to explore the Scholarship Center website to learn more about scholarships offered by departments, outside organizations and other opportunities available at Western.

Available Scholarships

Bennerstrom Prize

This scholarship provides support for students in the Department of Art & Art History. Institution’s leadership will select recipients with preference for applicants majoring within the Department of Art & Art History who exhibit superior artwork.

Department Merit Scholarship

One scholarship is available to outstanding Art & Art History majors.

Departmental Tuition Waiver Scholarship

Department may offer a maximum of $1800.  Students selected must be enrolled full-time (12 credits per quarter) and be of superior academic ability.  If a student is not enrolled full-time, they will not receive the award.

$1800.00

Double Eagle Endowment

Must be an American citizen. Prefer someone returning to complete an undergraduate degree. Junior or senior status.

George W. Keagle Art Scholarship

One or two scholarships in the amount of $400 to 800 will be awarded to students majoring in art.  Students applying must submit a portfolio of representative work as well as a statement of philosophy/artistic intent.  This scholarship honors George Wade Keagle of Bellingham.  Mr. Keagle studied art in Scotland and enjoyed painting. He also donated artwork and sculpture to the Western Gallery.

$800.00

J. Ruth Kelsey Art Merit Award

This award was established by Professor J. Ruth Kelsey, who taught primarily painting and art education classes for 24 years before her retirement in 1972.  One grant is offered to an undergraduate art student.  Selection is based on the applicant’s portfolio of past work.

J. Ruth Kelsey Merit Scholarship

This scholarship was established by J. Ruth Kelsey, a professor in the Department of Art & Art History, who taught painting and art education classes for 24 years before her retirement in 1972.  One scholarship is available for partial tuition and fees for one academic year. The Scholarship was established to encourage and reward junior-level students of outstanding talent, ability and motivation.  Students applying must submit a portfolio of past work in addition to a statement of philosophy/artistic intent.  The following year, the recipient will present a show of his/her work.

Mary K. McIntyre Gorrell Scholarship

The scholarship honors Mary K. McIntyre Gorrell, a professor in the Department of Art & Art History, who taught fibers and fabrics for 25 years at Western. Scholarship will be awarded to exceptional students pursuing a career as an art educator with the public schools.  All other things being equal, (which they never are), students who demonstrate outstanding talent with fibers and fabrics shall receive special consideration.

Skipping Stone Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Art Scholarship

The purpose of the Skipping Stone Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Art Scholarship is to recruit and increase retention in the Dept. of Art & Art History to members of historically underrepresented and systemically oppressed, racialized, and marginalized communities inclusive of LGBTQ+ identities to improve their academic pursuits and experience, in order for the Department of Art and Art History to flourish in a diverse community. The award will be split between Art Studio and Art History.

Whenever possible, preference will be made to applicants who demonstrate, in descending order of priority: Preference to students enrolled in the Metro Art Access course during summer quarter (when offered); Freshman/Sophomore or Junior accepted into the Department of Art and Art History Major; Good academic standing; Strong portfolio/research w/clarity and creativity of intention; and Financial need.

Skipping Stone Scholarship for Photography

Art majors in the Department of Art & Art History whose concentration is photography and who demonstrate financial need.

$1500.00

Whatcom Art Guild Scholarship

One Scholarship is available to a full-time junior or senior majoring in studio art. Merit is the determining factor in the selection, and preference may be given to Students who graduated from a Whatcom County high school. The scholarship committee in the Department of Art & Art History will accomplish selection.

Need more info?

For advising and information about the Department of Art & Art History, email us or call 360-650-3660.