Department of Art & Design Scholarships


The Department of Art & Design offers a variety of scholarships and encourages all full-time VSU declared art majors to apply. For more information contact: artscholarships@valdosta.edu

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Download the VSU Department of Art & Design Scholarship Application Form (pdf)

NEXT DEADLINE: FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2024


OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS:

FRESHMAN/TRANSFER, JENNETT, FORTNER, SMART, & TURNER SCHOLARSHIPS

APPLICATIONS CURRENTLY CLOSED:

BENNETT SCHOLARSHIP


SCHOLARSHIPS

The Bennett scholarship was established in 1997 in memory of Lee Medler Bennett (1915-1996), Professor of Art at VSU. Professor Bennett began her VSU career as a part time instructor in 1953 and retired in 1985 as a full Professor. She taught art history, drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking and graphics. The purpose of the Lee Bennett Art Scholarship is to encourage quality students to pursue their study of art at VSU. She would wish for each recipient a successful career in the field of art and that they share their love of art with others.  

Financial amount: Up to full tuition per semester for the Fall and Spring Semesters. 

This award is subject to review by the Department of Art & Design Scholarship Committee each semester for renewal. It is anticipated that one award will be available beginning in the Fall Semester. The Bennett Scholarship is continuous (Fall and Spring semesters only) until graduation or until the student has completed 129 semester credit hours, whichever comes first. The Student must continue to meet all the criteria outlined in the Lee M. Bennett Scholarship Fund Agreement.

**All Art majors who meet the qualifications listed are encouraged to apply for the Bennett Art Scholarship.

Tammy Lee Fortner graduated from Valdosta State College in 1983 with a degree in Fine Arts. Ms. Fortner died as a result of a tragic highway accident on April 5, 1985. Her loving family established a living memorial in her name to assist deserving students with scholarships. Mr. and Ms. Lloyd L. and Tamlin B. Fortner, parents of Tammy Lee Fortner, desired that a scholarship fund be established for educational purposes.

Financial amount: Up to $1000 per Semester for the Fall and Spring Semesters.

This award is subject to review by the Department of Art & Design Scholarship Committee each semester for renewal. The Fortner Scholarship is continuous (pending available funds), Fall and Spring Semesters only, until graduation or until the student has completed 129 semester credit hours, whichever comes first. The student must continue to meet all the criteria outlined in the Tammy Lee Fortner Scholarship Fund Agreement. 

** All Art majors who meet the qualifications listed are encouraged to apply for the Fortner Art Scholarship.

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts Scholarship was established in 2008. Dedicated to promoting and celebrating the arts in life, the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts is a premier regional arts center located in Valdosta, Georgia. The purpose of the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts Scholarship is to encourage quality students to pursue their study of art at VSU, to encourage students to act as advocates for the visual arts, and to develop an alliance with the Turner Center and the VSU Department of Art & Design through student support.

Financial amount: Up to $750 per semester for Fall & Spring semesters - 1 year term. 

This award is subject to review by the Department of Art & Design Scholarship Committee each semester for renewal. The recipient must continue to meet all the criteria outlined in the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts Scholarship Agreement. It is anticipated that one award will be available beginning Fall Semester. Students who receive the scholarship may re-apply if they meet the application requirements. **All Art, Art Education and Interior Design majors who meet the qualifications listed above are encouraged to apply for the Turner Center Art Scholarship.

Martha G. Smart was an alumni of Georgia State Women’s College in 1949 and Valdosta State College in 1973.  She retired as a  biology and science teacher from Valdosta High School. She was an accomplished potter, attending ceramics classes at Valdosta State College in the 1970’s and 80’s. Her loving family established a living memorial in her name to assist outstanding students through the gift of scholarship to support creative engagement and academic success.  Mr. John L. Smart, son of Martha G. Smart, desired that a scholarship fund be established for educational purposes, in particular for students that exhibit an extraordinary talent in the three-dimensional arts.

Financial amount: Up to $1000 per semester for Fall & Spring semesters. 

This award is subject to review by the Department of Art & Design Scholarship Committee each semester for renewal. The Smart Scholarship will be continuous (pending the availability of funds), fall and spring semesters only, until graduation or until the student has completed 129 semester credit hours, whichever comes first. The recipient must continue to meet all the criteria outlined in the Smart Scholarship Fund Agreement.

**All Art, Art Education and Interior Design majors who meet the qualifications listed above are encouraged to apply for the Martha G. Smart Art Scholarship.

Department of Art & Design Scholarship recipients must declare art as their major, be enrolled at VSU full-time with a minimum of major curriculum classes taken per semester. Application for admission to Valdosta State University is a condition for scholarship consideration and should be made as early as possible. All Department of Art & Design Scholarships are subject to review. 

Students interested in the Department of Art & Design's Freshman and Transfer Scholarships must send all application materials to the Department of Art & Design Scholarship Committee.

Financial amount: Up to full tuition to be given for one academic year.

This award is subject to review by the Department of Art & Design Scholarship Committee each semester for renewal.

**All Art majors who meet the qualifications listed are encouraged to apply for the Freshman/Transfer Art Scholarship.

Ronald and Nancy Zaccari established this scholarship fund in the name of Jerry and Kay Jennett, Spring 2013. An award of $500 dollars per semester may be made to a junior or senior ranking student majoring in Art or Art Education who has demonstrated significant talents in the production of works of art in the third dimension. The award is renewable for up to three additional semesters by the endorsement of the faculty committee comprised of the Department of Art & Design faculty in the areas of Sculpture, 3-D Design, Jewelry, and Ceramics.  

Financial amount: Up to $500 per semester, renewable for up to 3 semesters. 

This award is subject to review by the Department of Art & Design Scholarship Committee & Department 3D Faculty.

The Jerry and Kay Jennett Art Scholarship may be received for up to 4 semesters, total. 

** Art or Art Education majors are nominated by department faculty members. 

Danielle Barrier Harmon, Associate Professor of Art, served as a Drawing/Foundations faculty member in the Department of Art & Design at Valdosta State University from 2003-2010. In the early morning hours of August 17th, 2010 she lost her battle with cancer. Professor Harmon cared deeply about her students and was always concerned with their progress. Her office was filled with reference texts, book marked examples for students, and piles of assignments from classes. Her desire for student progress and her ability to inspire them was evident by the vast number of postings one read on her Facebook site from former students. Colleagues described her as one of the most unselfish and non-judgmental people they have known. Her artwork will always have an ethereal sensibility. Beautiful and engaging they often dealt with themes of family and connectivity - and were always masterfully crafted. When asked to reflect on their experiences with Danielle, the common phrases are “unselfish,” “caring,” “one of the most caring, warm, and generous people,” “a true artist." We are all grateful for having an opportunity to share our professional and personal lives with her. This award was established in Danielle's honor.  

Financial amount: Variable

This award is subject to review by the Department of Art & Design Scholarship Committee and the Department of Art & Design Faculty.
The Danielle Barrier Harmon discretionary Award may be distributed for multiple terms.
** Art majors are nominated by department faculty members.

Additional scholarship and financial assistance information available at: