Award Opportunities in Art History and Architectural Studies

The Department of Art History and Architectural Studies awards a number of fellowships and prizes each year. Fellowship opportunities are open to alums. These fellowships and prizes each require an application as specified.

Fellowships for alums

The bequest of Joseph Skinner, a nineteenth-century Holyoke industrialist who was a Trustee and Benefactor of the College. Awards are made to graduates of Mount Holyoke who are pursuing graduate work in Studio Art or Architecture. The application deadline is the last week of March.

Download the Joseph Skinner Fellowship application

In memory of Louise Fitz-Randolph, Mount Holyoke Class of 1872, and distinguished professor of Art History at the turn of the twentieth century. Awards are made to graduates of Mount Holyoke who are studying art history, archeology or the history of architecture at the graduate level.

Download the Louise Fitz-Randolph Fellowship Application

Project support and awards for current students

Project Support

Students are invited to apply for microgrants of up to $500 during the academic year through April 1 to support small projects that engage the intersection of the arts and technology. Contact the Arts & Technology Initiative for details.

Study Awards

The Department of Art and Art History provides competitive awards for qualifying majors who wish to undertake study projects that take them off-campus. Typically, that might be an architectural study project, an archaeological project, research for a senior thesis, or a second internship (in the year after receiving Lynk UAF funding for an internship). Projects must contribute to a student’s academic major in a substantive way. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required. Awards normally range between $500 and $1,000. All junior and senior projects must be completed by May of the student’s senior year.

Awarded in memory of Richard Hsiao, lecturer in Asian art at Mount Holyoke from 1971 to 1977, this provides a qualifying student with $2,000 to study any aspect of Asian art or architecture. The award is available to qualifying majors. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required. Projects must be conducted in Asia. In some cases, knowledge of the local language may be required. Students must indicate how their study in Asia will contribute to their academic program at Mount Holyoke. International students returning to their home region for study may not be funded.

Download the study award application

Awarded in memory of Helen Vannett, a member of the Department’s staff, the Vannett Award helps defray expenses for art studio or art history majors who are undertaking special projects related to courses. No application is required.

In memory of Linda Kelso Wright, Mount Holyoke class of 1960, the Linda Kelso award is available to qualifying junior and senior art history majors who wish to undertake art history study projects that take them off-campus. The award may be used for an art history program, internship, archaeological project, senior thesis, or research project coordinated with faculty. Projects must contribute to a student’s academic program at Mount Holyoke. Students must have taken appropriate courses in art history to qualify for an award. International students returning to their home country may not qualify. Awards will range between $500 and $1,000. No application is required.

Visit the Fellowships office for information.

Contact us

The Department of Art History and Architectural Studies oversees programs for the study of paintings, sculptures, architecture, photography, film, furniture, ceramics, installations and many other visual forms.

Melissa Burke
  • Academic Department Coordinator