Opportunities in Studio Art

Academic Opportunities

Mentored Advanced Projects (MAPS)

The Department of Art encourages studio art majors to consider developing and proposing a MAP (ART 499 Mentored Advanced Project) with a concentrated focus within a specific medium in which the student has extensive experience. This course, which is proposed by the student artist and mentored by a faculty member, is aimed at the establishment of a personal direction in content and personal expression while developing a mature portfolio in preparation for an advanced degree. The project includes the preparation, creation, and public presentation of a body of artwork.

Awards, Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships

The Ninth Semester Fellowship

The Ninth Semester Fellowship in Studio Art is a competitive opportunity for continued independent research in the semester immediately following graduation. This fellowship provides financial support, studio space, time, and faculty feedback for a semester of creative research in preparation for graduate or professional work. In return for these benefits, the Ninth Semester Fellow assists the Department of Art through various tasks, such as helping install student art exhibitions, and studio lab monitoring. A presentation of created artwork in a formal exhibition is required at the conclusion of the semester.

For more information, please see the Ninth Semester Fellowship application procedure (pdf).

Arts and Museum Administration Grant

The Arts and Museum Administration Grant supports internships with established arts organizations, including theatre companies, museums, community art centers, and performance spaces offering internships in arts administration, publicity, event coordination, directing, arts education, collection care, and/or curatorial projects. Students are required to meet with the Chair before applying.

For more information, please contact Susan Baley.

Getty Foundation Grants for Multicultural Undergraduate Internships in the Arts

The Getty Foundation sponsors paid internships for multicultural residents of Los Angeles County at museums and arts organizations throughout LA County.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

Gates Cambridge Scholarships are highly competitive full-cost awards for full-time graduate study and research in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.

Marshall Scholarships

Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. Up to forty Scholars are selected each year to study at graduate level at an UK institution in any field of study.

Mitchell Scholarship

The Mitchell Scholarship Program, named to honor former US Senator George Mitchell’s pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service.

Up to twelve Mitchell Scholars between the ages of 18 and 30 are chosen annually for one year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Rhodes Scholarships

Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest international educational fellowships, were initiated after the death of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, and bring outstanding students from many countries around the world to the University of Oxford.

Activities and Organizations

Bachelor of Arts Exhibition

The Annual Bachelor of Arts Exhibition, formerly called the Student Salon, is a professional exhibition of mature student work in the creative arts, including visual and performing arts. Third- and fourth-year students with significant involvement in art at Grinnell College are welcome to submit proposals for 2D and 3D artwork and digital media, installations, and performances.

For more information, please visit the SEPC website.

SEPC

The Student Educational Policy Committee, or SEPC, is a student-faculty liaison group which provides faculty with student input on professors, candidates, curriculum, and other departmental issues. It also organizes social events within the department.

For more information, please visit the SEPC website.

Smith Gallery Exhibitions

This gallery, named in honor of Edith Renfrow Smith ’37, is an exhibition space located in the Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center, next to the Marketplace dining hall. Smith Gallery features an evolving showcase of student art and professional artist exhibitions.

For more information and to see current and past exhibitions visit the Smith Gallery website.

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