Current Students

Eligible: Graduating Seniors

The Watkins College of Art seeks to compel its students to fulfill their creative explorations beyond their college experience. This year, the college will present the inaugural Walter and Sarah Knestrick Award to an eligible senior major student who proposes a plan to pursue an exceptional creative endeavor post-graduation. This $5,000 award can be used to carry out creative endeavors including studio art activity, research, design-based business, or arts-related community engagement project. Interested students must submit an application that includes a project proposal defining their creative goals beyond graduation and how they plan to use the funds. All proposals must be achievable in a one-year timeframe, and the winning student will be required to present the outcomes of their endeavor to the Watkins/Belmont community. Applications are due on March 17th at 11:59 pm.

Submit Application

Qualifications:

• Applicant must be a graduating senior
• Applicant must have a 3.0 GPA 

Application:

Your application must include:

• Name, major(s), date of expected graduation
• Abstract of your proposed project
• Project budget
• Supporting imagery for your proposal (up to 5 images)
• 5 images of personal art/design portfolio

Timeline:

• March 17 (11:59 CST) – Student Application Due
• March 20 (approx.) – Adjudication by Watkins College of Art Faculty
• March 24 – Final Candidates Interview with Visiting Jurors (if required)
• March 30 – Announcement of Award at the Watkins College of Art Awards Gala

Adjudication Process:

• Faculty adjudicators conduct an adjudication of proposals
• Up to 3 proposals will be selected for the final interview and selection by guest juror(s) — if needed

Questions?

If you need help generating a PDF for your proposal, this Microsoft help document has how to export Powerpoint to PDF. You can also generate a PDF from Google Slides by clicking File from the Google Slides menu, then Download, then select PDF Document (.pdf).

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email watkins@belmont.edu.

Eligible: Rising Junior or Senior status (from the Fine Arts or Interior Design department)

The prestigious Albert Hadley Endowed Award is funded by Watkin’s alumna and supporter, Susan Basham in honor of distinguished Interior Designer, Albert Hadley. Mr. Hadley was a Tennessee native and graduate of Parsons School of Design who went on to design for notable clients such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Oscar de la Renta. He was the recipient of many national and international awards and was inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 1986. 

The Hadley Award will allow students to experience the dynamic art and design scene in New York City by providing funding for students wishing to do a summer internship in the city. The award will fund housing and provide a stipend to the winning students.

Submit Application

Qualifications:

• Eligible to students in the Fine Arts and Interior Design departments
• Rising Junior or Senior status
• Applicant must have a 3.0 GPA 

Application:

Your application must include:

• Biographical statement including career goals (250-300 words)
• Portfolio of work to include 10 pieces showcasing the artist/designer’s voice, ideas, interests, curiosity, and experience in creating and making. The digital images or videos of your work should reflect diversity and breadth of experience. Strong work in sketchbook form will be accepted as well. There is no universal formula for creating a successful body of work; we hope that your work will highlight your unique creative voice.

Timeline & Selection Process:

• January 31st (11:59 CST) – Student Application Due
• Fine Art and Interior Design faculty adjudicate proposals
• Students will be notified of the award by March 1, 2024
• End of March – Public announcement and recognition of the award will be included in the annual Watkins College of Art Awards Gala

Questions?

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email watkins@belmont.edu. (O'More students are welcome to email the address or contact the Interior Design Department Chair directly.)

Eligible: All Watkins College of Art students

This award that will be given to Belmont students who are starting an enterprise at the intersection of the creative arts and business. Established by the Buntin family in Jeffrey, Sr.’s honor, this $150,000 endowed fund will support students from Belmont’s Jack C. Massey College of Business, Watkins College of Art and the O’More College of Architecture and Design.

The $5,000 award will be given annually through a competitive pitch process where the most creative new business idea with the highest potential for viability and long-term success will be selected. Participating students, who can be studying in undergraduate or graduate programs on campus, will pitch their ideas in a formal presentation to a panel of judges including local entrepreneurs, faculty members and representatives from the Buntin family.

Eligible: Freshmen

Eligible: Sophomores

Eligible: Juniors

Eligible: All Watkins College of Art students

Eligible: Art Education students

Eligible: Sophomore or junior students studying Design Communications

Eligible: Art History students

Eligible: Design Communications and Experiential Design students