Arts Merit Scholarships

Bucknell's Arts Merit Scholarships range from $2,500 to $20,000 annually to selected first-year students who plan to pursue studies in art & art history, creative writing, dance, film/media studies, literary studies, music (major or non-major) or theatre (performance or design and technology). Recipients will receive notifications along with their admissions decisions.

Financial need is not a requirement, and the scholarship is automatically renewed for second, third and fourth years as long as recipients maintain satisfactory academic progress and meet requirements of the program. The application process includes an on-campus component, and recipients are selected by Bucknell faculty members.

To be considered for an Arts Merit Scholarship, apply for admission to Bucknell University using the Common Application or the Coalition Application. Submit Arts Merit Scholarship application materials using Slideroom.

Arts Merit Scholarship Requirements

Application
- Portfolio of 10-20 images of artwork as a JPEG sized between 300k and 500k.
- Document with information about each image: title, year created, dimensions and media.
- Résumé.
- 250- to 350-word statement addressing the following questions:
  - Why do you make art?
  - What concepts or subject matter do you focus on in your work, and why?
  - What materials, techniques and processes do you use to create your work?
  - Why do you want to major in studio art?
On-campus competition
- Candidates must attend an on-campus competition where they present portfolios of 10-15 original works (or slides of original works) to faculty, tour Bucknell's art facilities and meet with current students, faculty and staff at an afternoon luncheon.
Other requirements
- Recipients must major in art or art history.
Application
- Writing sample up to 800 words on an art historical topic you find interesting. Ideally, the writing sample will discuss at least one work of art, with a focus on the analysis of the work's subject matter and style, and include a visual analysis. 
- Résumé.
 On-campus competition
- Candidates must attend an on-campus competition where they interview with faculty, respond to exhibit pieces in the Samek Art Gallery, tour Bucknell's art facilities and meet with current students, faculty and staff at afternoon luncheon.
Other requirements
- Recipients must major in art or art history.
Application
- One-page letter explaining why you are interested in the program and what skills or interests you would offer Bucknell's writing community.
- One document containing a writing sample of either three to five poems, a short story or a creative nonfiction piece (1,500 to 2,000 words, double-spaced, 12pt font).
- Teacher recommendation that discusses your writing and creative abilities.
On-campus competition
- Candidates must attend an on-campus competition where they have individual conversations with faculty from the Department of English, eat lunch with current merit scholars, and tour department facilities, including the Stadler Center for Poetry, Willard Smith Library and the film production lab.
Other requirements
- Recipients must major in English.
- Recipients will participate in community outreach projects and campus literary events.
Application
- One-page letter explaining why you are interested in the program and what skills or interest you would offer Bucknell's film community.
- Teacher recommendation that discusses your film/media and creative abilities.
- Sample film analysis (or analysis or other visual media) that demonstrates critical thinking skills (1,500 to 2,000 words, double-spaced, 12pt font). No film reviews or sample screenplays.
or
- Demo reel of no more than four minutes highlighting creative film/media/visual media production work. You may submit a video file or link to your demo reels from YouTube, Vimeo or other video sharing sites.
On-campus competition
- Candidates must attend an on-campus competition where they have individual conversations with faculty from the Department of English, eat lunch with current merit scholars, and tour department facilities, including the Stadler Center for Poetry, Willard Smith Library and the film production lab.
Other requirements
- Recipients must major in English.
Application
- One-page letter explaining why you are interested in the program and what skills or interest you would offer Bucknell's community.
- Writing sample of literary criticism that explores one or more texts from the genres of poetry, prose, or drama (1,500 to 2,000 words, double-spaced, 12pt font).
- Teacher recommendation that discusses your literary and creative abilities.
On-campus competition
- Candidates must attend an on-campus competition where they have individual conversations with faculty from the Department of English, eat lunch with current merit scholars, and tour department facilities, including the Stadler Center for Poetry, Willard Smith Library and the film production lab.
Other requirements
- Recipients must major in English.
- Recipients will participate in community outreach projects and campus literary events.
Application
- Video (preferably featuring solo performances).
- Written description to identify who you are in group pieces.
- Résumé that addresses training background and performing experiences.
On-campus competition
- Candidates must attend an on-campus competition where they participate in ballet, modern and jazz workshop audition classes, and perform a two-minute solo in their genre of choice (preferably something close to ballet, modern or jazz).
- Candidates are responsible for bringing the accompanying music on CD or digital audio player; formal costumes are not required.
- Candidates may meet with past Arts Merit Scholarship recipients and participants of the dance program.
- Families are invited to a Q&A session with department students and faculty.
Other requirements
- Recipients must minor in dance.
- Recipients will participate in community outreach projects and campus literary events.
All prospective music majors will be considered for Arts Merit Scholarships, including:
- Bachelor of arts in music.
- Bachelor of arts music with a concentration in either performance, contemporary composition, or cultural and critical studies in music.
- Bachelor of music with a concentration in either education or vocal performance.
Application
- Department of Music Audition Form.
- Performance résumé that addresses your training background and experiences in music.
- Intended composition majors only must provide samples of creative compositional work — scores and/or recordings.
On-campus competition
- Music major candidates — including composition candidates — must attend an on-campus competition where they interview with music faculty.
- Instrumental auditions include a performance of two to three pieces from different historical periods that best represent their technical and interpretative skills.
- Vocal auditions are a performance of three to four songs including at least one song in a foreign language.
- Singers who require an accompanist must provide their sheet music to Department of Music a minimum of two weeks prior to their audition date.
- Auditions are scheduled through Brenda Ross (phone 570-577-1216 or email bross@bucknell.edu).
Non-music majors who wish to participate in music-department ensembles or chamber groups, or to provide musical accompaniment, are eligible for Arts Merit Scholarships.
Application
- Instrumental audition: Video featuring a solo performance (no ensemble work) less than 10 minutes in length.
- Voice audition: Video featuring a solo performance — do not master the audio.
On-campus competition
- None.
Other requirements
- Recipients will contribute to and make progress in the Department of Music program and take free private lessons in their primary performance area.
Application
- Résumé that highlights depth and dimension of experience in theatre (acting, directing, design and technology).
- Two recommendations from theatre teachers, directors, coaches or mentors that discuss creative abilities, training and potential.
- Description (up to 200 words) about why you are interested in attending a liberal arts program in theatre.
On-campus competition
- Theatre performance candidates must attend an on-campus competition where they will perform two contrasting monologues (no cuts necessary for time constraints), participate in movement, voice and improvisation workshops, and may be asked to sing up to 32 bars of a musical theatre selection.
- Design and technology candidates present original artwork (drawings, paintings, technical drawings) and production work (via slides or photographs), and interview with a faculty member.
- All candidates' families are invited to a Q&A session and luncheon with department students and faculty.
Other requirements
- Recipients must major in theatre — except for engineering or education majors, who must minor in either acting & directing or design & technology.

Office of Admissions

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Contact

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admissions@bucknell.edu

Hours

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Saturday: Varies

Sunday: Closed

Arts Merit Scholarships

Access the Class of 2027 Scholarship Application

Submit Arts Merit Scholarship materials

Arts Merit Scholarship Requirements

Office of Admissions

Location

Contact

Hours

Want to learn more about Bucknell?

Arts Merit Scholarships

Access the Class of 2027 Scholarship Application

Submit Arts Merit Scholarship materials

Arts Merit Scholarship Requirements

For Art & Art History Majors: Studio ArtPlus Icon (Large)

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FOR DOUBLE MAJORS: Double MajorsPlus Icon (Large)

Contact Details

Office of Admissions

Location

Contact

Hours

Want to learn more about Bucknell?