Awards & Prizes
There is a long and rich tradition of awards and prizes at PAFA, some of which were first presented in the early 1900s and continue to be awarded today. Many of these awards are associated with the Annual Student Exhibition and may be judged by faculty members or outside jurors. Prizes range from recognition to monetary awards of varying amounts to full and partial tuition scholarships, and funds for student travel. Below is a selection of the awards available to students enrolled at PAFA, recognizing their work.
Select Award Opportunities for Current PAFA Students
The Anne Bryan Memorial Award
An award designed to support PAFA students on their journey. Funds can be used to help plan or initiate ideas such as developing business plans, travel, research, creating a web and social media presence, renting space for a working studio or pop-up gallery, initiating an artist cooperative, purchasing material or equipment needed to create work, and other projects.
The Lois and Charles X. Carlson Landscape Painting Residency
Awarded to a promising landscape painter who is a BFA student entering the 3rd or 4th year at PAFA, or a 1st year MFA or Studio Certificate student. This award allows for a concentrated period of landscape painting during the summer of the award, near Carlson’s former home in Lancaster County, PA. Guest-house accommodations, and board, will be offered at no cost, as well as a stipend to be used for art supplies and incidental expenses.
The Chase Family Prize in Illustration
A prize awarded to a graduating undergraduate student concentrating in Illustration.
William Emlen Cresson Memorial Travel Scholarship
Awarded for a summer of travel and travel expenses in Europe and for PAFA tuition for the two terms immediately following.
MFA Residency Award/Patricia Bell Cuddy Memorial Award
An award given annually to a student graduating from the MFA program, or a student between the first and second years of the MFA program, to support the winner’s participation in a studio residency program such as The Studio at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, or other residency program approved by the Dean and Chair of Graduate Programs.
The Murray Dessner Award
An award granted to a second-year MFA student or Low-Res MFA alum who graduated in the previous academic year for travel and study.
The Fine Art Venture Fund
This fund allows students to engage with the grant-seeking process by developing a unique art project, writing a grant proposal, and, for semi-finalists, presenting their work to funders. The goal of the fund is to allow students to undertake ambitious projects and support and encourage developing professional practices.
The Judith McGregor Caldwell Purchase Prize for the Academy’s Permanent Collection
This prize is to be awarded to one or more recipients whose artwork is identified as being of special significance, and, therefore, worthy of inclusion in the permanent collection of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
The Raymond D. & Estelle Rubens Travel Scholarship Award
These awards include a grant for European travel, traditionally in the summer immediately following the award, plus a one-year, full-tuition scholarship to be used the following academic year.
The J. Henry Schiedt Memorial Travel Scholarships
Awarded on the recommendation of the Faculty to students for travel, or for a special program that would augment the PAFA curriculum.
The Richard C. von Hess Memorial Scholarship and Travel Award
A full-tuition scholarship (plus fees) for one year, awarded to an exceptional student exhibiting competitively in the Annual Student Exhibition who uses traditional media, and whose work is informed by historical traditions such as classicism or modernism. Includes funds for travel during the summer.
The Dr. R.J. Wallner Travel Award Fund
An award is given annually to a first-year MFA student or a Low-Residence MFA student for travel to be completed following the first year of study.
The Lewis S. Ware Memorial Travel Scholarships
Awarded for European travel.
The Women’s Board Travel Scholarship
Awarded to a third-year BFA student, who has completed between 90-105 credits, for travel and related expenses in the summer months of the year of the award, plus a partial tuition scholarship for the subsequent academic year.
Woodmere Art Museum Purchase Prize
The Woodmere Art Museum Purchase Prize will be awarded at the Annual Student Exhibition on an annual basis by Woodmere’s Collection Committee and the selected work will be accessioned into the Woodmere’s permanent collection.