Graduate Funding Opportunities

The Hite Institute of Art + Design and Department of Art + Design offers a number of scholarships, awards, and assistantships for graduate students in Art History, Critical & Curatorial Studies, and Studio Art.

Scholarships and assistantships are awarded based on merit and satisfactory academic progress. Consideration is also given to financial need. Master of Arts (MA) students may receive funding for a maximum of two years, and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) students may receive funding for a maximum of three years.

All incoming and current eligible graduate students receive a scholarship or assistantship and do not need to apply. MFA students must apply to be considered to receive an Arts & Sciences Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) (see below). 

Hite Assistantships

Established in 1946 through a bequest from Allen and Marcia S. Hite, the Hite Endowment Fund underwrites various programs in the Department of Art + Design including Hite Assistantships.

Award: Up to $12,000**. Students are eligible to receive these awards for more than one academic year.

Area of Concentration: Art History, Critical & Curatorial Studies, Studio Art.

Eligibility: All graduate students. Description: Awards are made with duties assigned in the following categories:

  • Class Assistants: aid faculty in one of their courses each semester. Duties are assigned by the individual faculty members, but generally include grading exams and assignments.
  • Studio Assistants: aid faculty with general studio and equipment maintenance.
  • Research Assistants: engage in activities such as bibliographic searches.
  • Exhibition Assistants: work with Gallery Director and staff on exhibition or curatorial projects.

Don Payton Graduate Award in Art History

Award: Up to $8,000**.

Area of Concentration: Art History.

Eligibility: All art history graduate students. 

Cressman Scholarships

Award: Up to $12,000**.

Area of Concentration: Art History, Critical & Curatorial Studies.

Eligibility: All Art History and Critical & Curatorial Studies graduate students.

Description: Award with assigned duties which advance the research and teaching activities of the department.

Frederick G Heath Graduate Scholarship in Glass

Award: Up to $1000**.

Area of Concentration: Glass.

Eligibility: Must be a distinguished MFA graduate student in the glass program.

Arts & Sciences Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Award: $16,000 stipend, tuition remission*, and health insurance.

Area of Concentration: Studio Art.

Eligibility: Current Studio Art graduate students in the MFA program who have completed a minimum of 18 hours of graduate coursework. 

Description: GTAs are expected to teach 6 hours (two courses) of introductory-level courses over the academic year. Compensation includes a $16,000 stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance.

Application deadline: January 15

Arts & Sciences Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) Application forms may be requested via email from hite@louisville.edu. Please note: Only eligible MFA students may apply for a GTA.

*fees are not included.

**All departmental scholarships, assistantships, and awards are awarded for the academic year in the form of tuition only and are split between fall and spring semesters.