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Awards by Faculty Nomination

To be considered for one of these awards, speak to your Area Coordinator.  Scholarships are based on nominations by faculty. 

Carla Frazier Memorial Scholarship in Ceramics
An endowment established by the Robert B. Frazier family in memory of his wife Carla M. Frazier. Awarded to student(s) studying ceramics. This is a one-time scholarship and is not renewable.  

Crystal Theodore Service with Scholarship Award
This award is aptly named to reflect the remarkable scholarship and service accomplishments of Dr. Crystal Theodore, who ran the art department at Madison College from 1957-68. It is awarded to a current SADAH student who has done service to the school and maintained high academics. This is a one-time award and not renewable.

Karyn Gunther Smith
This scholarship is for a rising senior with financial need, as determined by the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. This is a one-time award and is not renewable.

Martha Caldwell
Awarded to an Art History student graduating in May. This is a one-time award and is not renewable. 

Martha Curt Endowed Scholarship in Art and Art History
This award, established in 2008 by the Walter and Martha Curt Family Foundation, recognizes Mrs. Curt's lifelong involvement in the arts, as both a college student at Bridgewater College and as a benefactor of the arts ever since. This award recognizes exceptional work at the foundations level. This is a one-time award and is not renewable.

New Market Arts & Crafts Scholarship
The New Market Scholarship was established by the New Market Arts and Crafts Club for JMU art students who have an interest in preserving the arts and crafts of Virginia. Priority is given to students from Shenandoah County or the Shenandoah Valley; awarded to a student in any year, renewable up to four years. 

Rob Miller Graphic Design Scholarship
This award was created in honor of JMU graphic design alumnus Rob Miller, class of 1997, who passed away in 2002. His parents, Dr. and Mrs. Martin Miller, and his close JMU friend Daniel Hoeck, committed to giving this award annually to graphic design seniors who have shown outstanding accomplishments in their artwork. This is a one-time award and is not renewable.

Awards by Student Application

College of Visual & Performing Arts Undergraduate Research Grants
The College of Visual and Performing Arts will be offering Undergraduate Research Grants to provide funding for the purpose of encouraging undergraduate students to explore practical or scholarly investigation in a project or subject of interest relevant to the student’s major that results in a product, performance, publication, final presentation/report.

Interested students should partner with a faculty member to submit a proposal of their intended project or research subject.  Projects may be disciplinary, but interdisciplinary projects are encouraged, as are entrepreneurial endeavors.

The amount of funding will be determined by the proposal.  A minimum award grant is $500.  Faculty mentor stipends are set at $250.  The duration of the project could range from a semester to one academic year. 

To apply, fill out the supplied grant application, gather signatures, and submit via the College of Visual and Performing Arts (roadcaaj@jmu.edu, 540-568-7131).

J. Binford Walford Scholarship
Awarded to students who intend to go on to become professional architects.  This scholarship can be given more than once, but a new application must be submitted each year.  Awards are based on merit, determined during assessment day review of sophomore and junior portfolios.  Interested students should contact the Architectural Design Coordinator for an application (see bottom of page for contact information).

Jay D. Kain Art Education Scholarship
This merit-based award was established by Ms. Karin Ellis in honor of Dr. Jay D. Kain, JMU professor emeritus of art education and former department head. Kain began his work as department head in the fall of 1980 and retired in May 2000. Under Kain’s leadership, the school became accredited with the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, elevating the quality of student work. Kain helped initiate the art auction to raise money for art scholarships. The auction is still a significant fundraising event. This money goes directly to the school’s endowment, resulting in an ability to offer even more scholarships. Awarded to rising junior and senior art education students. Recipients are selected through an application process. This award may be received more than once, but a new application must be submitted each year.  Interested students should contact the art education area coordinator for an application.  

Kathleen G. Arthur Scholarship for International Study in Art History in Florence, Italy
This scholarship was established by Thomas H. Arthur to honor Kathleen G. Arthur, who taught art history at JMU from 1975-2008. In 1979, she served as one of the founding program directors for JMU"s Office of International Programs. As a JMU professor emeritus, Arthur continues to serve as an associate curator for the Madison Art Collection. This scholarship honors Arthur's contributions to JMU, awarding an undergraduate student majoring in art history who has achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The recipient must be accepted into the JMU Semester in Florence Program during a fall, spring or summer session.

Students with a declared major in art (B.A. only) may also be considered. This is a one-time award and is not renewable. Interested students should contact the art history area coordinator for an application .

P. Buckley Moss
Awarded to an art major who is registered with disability services and maintains a 2.75 or higher GPA. Once awarded, the student may continue to receive the award for the duration of their undergraduate studies, as long as the stated criteria are met.

Additional Awards

The School of Art, Design and Art History also offers the following awards:

Senior Art Achievement Awards
Recognizes top senior students in each of SADAH's seven areas: industrial design, graphic design, architectural design, art history, art education, art and foundation. 

Frances Grove Scholar Award
Established in honor of Frances Grove, a professor of art who taught at JMU beginning in 1945. One award is given annually to the student with the highest graduating GPA and other indicators of outstanding scholarship.

SADAH Alumni Award
An annual award to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our alumni.

Art History Forum Award
Each year the art history area presents a forum of undergraduate research. The recipient of this award is chosen from the presenters at this event.

Philip James Art Education Community Outreach Award
This award recognizes outstanding achievement in providing art education opportunities for children or adults outside the JMU campus community. The award is presented to a senior student for leadership in developing and supporting community connections through art teaching and art education events. 

The school will recognize three graduating seniors with the following named awards:

Alan Tschudi Outstanding Student in Design
The school’s faculty members voted to name this honor after Alan Tschudi, who taught in the School of Art and Art History from 1974-2000. Tschudi was the founder of the graphic design program and served as the graphic design area coordinator. Tschudi passed away in December 2005, and this award is named in his memory.

David Diller Outstanding Student in Studio Art
The faculty members of the school voted to name one of the senior art achievement awards after former school director and professor emeritus Dr. David Diller. Diller provide leadership for the school during his tenure as department head from 1968-80. Diller's term as department head saw a rapid increase in the size of the faculty and student enrollment. He retired with the rank of professor emeritus in 1992. This award bears his name to honor his contribution to the school, his outstanding teaching in the area of ceramics, and his service to the community.

Martha Caldwell Outstanding Student in Art History
Funding for these awards comes from generous donations and our Art Auction, which has been going on for more than 25 years. Recipients are chosen based on faculty nomination. All awards are one-time awards and not renewable.

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