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Arts Scholarship Applicants

Students interested in cinema, creative writing, dance, music, music theatre, visual arts, or theatre can submit supplementary materials for evaluation.

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Students who have a passion for cinema, creative writing, dance, music, music theatre, visual arts, or theatre are encouraged to submit supplementary materials for scholarship consideration.

Arts Scholarships

Denison’s merit-based arts scholarships, awarded to talented first-year and transfer students, range from $5,000 to $15,000 and are renewable for all four years. (Recipients are encouraged but not required to major or minor in the arts.)

Submit your arts supplement now

Who should submit an arts supplement?

The optional arts supplement is for students who have devoted a significant amount of time and energy to one or more art forms (cinema, creative writing, dance, music, music theatre, visual arts, or theatre) and who wish to document their special talent(s) as part of their application.

How do I apply for an arts scholarship?

All applicants who submit an arts supplement will automatically be considered for a merit-based arts scholarships. Interested students should submit their materials by their corresponding November 15 or January 15 application deadline.

  1. Submit your application for admission to Denison through the Common Application or Coalition Application.
  2. After you have submitted your application to Denison, you will be sent a link via email providing you access to the Denison applicant portal.
  3. Once you have access to the Denison applicant portal, look for the arts supplement section below the applicant and financial aid checklists.
  4. Select “submit arts supplement” and follow the instructions provided to upload your arts supplement materials.
  5. Review the deadlines and specific requirements for each discipline listed below.

Musicians are encouraged to audition in person (on campus). If you are from outside the region and can’t come to campus, you may audition virtually and/or submit a video recording as an arts supplement instead. Please visit the music department page to sign up for an in-person or virtual audition and to see the specific audition guidelines for your instrument

Please review the specific requirements for each discipline in the drop-downs below. Although no more than one scholarship will be awarded, you may submit materials in as many areas as you wish. Candidates with talents in music theatre, in particular, are encouraged to submit both music and theatre supplements.

Contact the Office of Admission and Financial Aid with any questions.

Deadlines

Arts supplement materials must be submitted by the following deadlines:

First-Year Applicants

  • Early Decision 1: November 15
  • Early Decision 2: January 15
  • Regular Decision: January 15

Transfer Applicants

  • November 15 (January start)
  • April 15 (August start)

Arts Supplement Requirements

Show/Hide Cinema

Requirements: Applicants should submit the following:

  • A video file of work that they have shot, edited, written, or directed.
    • The video may contain footage from more than one film.
    • The video file should be no longer than 5 minutes in length.

In addition, students must include two supplemental text documents:

  • A description of the specific role(s) the student played in the production (e.g., director, cinematographer) as well as the context in which it was created (e.g., class assignment, independent production, etc.). (200 words max).
  • A short essay articulating the student’s ideas about why they are interested in film studies and production, particularly in a liberal arts environment. (250 words max).

We accept files up to 5GB (larger files will take longer to load). Accepted file formats include:

  • Document: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .rtf
  • Video: .avi, .flv, .m1v, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .webm, .wmv

Questions should be directed to:

Jonathan Walley

Jonathan  Walley
Associate Professor
Co-Chair of Cinema
walleyj@denison.edu
740-587-8552
Show/Hide Creative Writing

Requirements: Applicants should submit the following:

  • Up to 10 pages total of any combination of poetry, short stories, screenplays, plays, creative nonfiction and/or excerpts from novels.
    • Note: Please do not submit journalism samples or submissions that are longer than 10 pages; these materials will not be read.
    • Format: 12 point font, Times New Roman or similar, 1” margins, double spaced for prose, single-spaced (or as desired) for poetry
  • Students should also submit a short explanation of their creative writing experience thus far and how they might see this continuing at Denison (200 words max). This explanation does not count toward the page limit and may be included in the same document.

Accepted file formats include: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .rtf

Questions should be directed to:

Margot Singer

Margot  Singer
Professor (English/Creative Writing)
Director of Creative Writing
Director of Strategy for the Arts
singerm@denison.edu
740-587-5741
Show/Hide Dance

Requirements: Applicants should submit the following:

  • A short essay describing how, when, and where the student has danced (250 words max).
  • A short video portraying their craft.
    • This can be in a class, at a social gathering, or in an informal or formal performance and may be composites of several examples.
    • Videos should be 5-10 minutes in length, total.

We accept files up to 5GB (larger files will take longer to load). Accepted file formats include:

  • Document: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .rtf
  • Slide: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, .tiff
  • Video: .avi, .flv, .m1v, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .webm, .wmv

Questions should be directed to:

Mark Evans Bryan ’96

Mark Evans Bryan ’96
Associate Professor
Chair of Theatre
Chair of Dance
bryanm@denison.edu
740-587-6260
Show/Hide Music

Requirements: Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an on-campus audition with faculty members. During auditions, students will have the opportunity to connect with faculty and current students, tour our facilities, and learn more about Denison’s music program.

Students who live outside the region and cannot travel to campus may submit a recorded video audition as an arts supplement (15 minutes max)

Please visit the music department page to sign up for an audition and to see the specific audition requirements for your instrument/area.

Candidates with talents in music theatre are encouraged to submit a music theatre supplement (see drop down) and/or to attend an on-campus vocal audition.

Accepted file formats include:

  • Audio: aif, .aiff, m4a, wav
  • Document: .pdf, .jpg, .png
  • Video: .avi, .flv, .m1v, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .webm, .wmv

Questions should be directed to:

Kristine Mathews

Kristine  Mathews
Program Coordinator, Music, Theatre, Dance
mathewskl@denison.edu
740-587-6712
Show/Hide Music Theatre

Applicants submitting an Arts Supplement for Music Theatre should upload a short video of themselves performing either:

  • one full song from a musical,
  • two 1-minute cuts of contrasting songs (ie. one musical and one pop OR one contemporary and one classical), or
  • a 1-minute cut of a song and a 1-minute monologue.

Applicants whose experience in music theatre is not centered in performance should upload a visual portfolio, composition, or any other documentation of experience in music theatre.

Accepted file formats include:

  • Document: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .rtf
  • Video: .avi, .flv, .m1v, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .webm, .wmv

Questions should be directed to:

Kristine Mathews

Kristine  Mathews
Program Coordinator, Music, Theatre, Dance
mathewskl@denison.edu
740-587-6712
Show/Hide Visual Arts

Requirements: Applicants should submit the following:

  • 10–20 images of their artwork
    • (Note: Please do not send original artwork, these materials will not be accepted.)
  • A short explanation of their artmaking thus far, and how they might see this continuing at Denison (250 words max).

We accept files in .jpeg format (not to exceed 1MB / per image) and .pdf documents.

Questions should be directed to:

Keith Allyn Spencer

Keith Allyn Spencer
Associate Professor
Chair of Visual Arts
spencerk@denison.edu
740-587-6465
Show/Hide Theatre

Applicants submitting an Arts Supplement for Theatre should upload a visual portfolio, script, or a short video portraying themselves acting either in a performance or for the camera.

  • Video recordings should be no more than 3 minutes.
  • Visual portfolios or scripts may be up to 10 pages of material.
  • Candidates with talents in music theatre are encouraged to submit both music and theatre supplements.

We accept files up to 5GB (larger files will take longer to load). Accepted file formats include:

  • Audio: aif, .aiff, m4a, mp3, wav
  • Document: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .rtf
  • Slide: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, .tiff
  • Video: .avi, .flv, .m1v, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .webm, .wmv

Questions should be directed to:

Mark Evans Bryan ’96

Mark Evans Bryan ’96
Associate Professor
Chair of Theatre
Chair of Dance
bryanm@denison.edu
740-587-6260

Frequently Asked Questions

Show/Hide Do I have to major or minor in the arts in order to receive a Denison arts scholarship?

No. Denison arts scholarships are not contingent upon your academic major or minor. They are also automatically renewable for your sophomore, junior, and senior years, even if you switch your major or minor. That said, we are looking for candidates who are committed to engaging seriously in the arts at Denison.

Show/Hide Do I have to submit an arts supplement to receive a Denison arts scholarship?

Yes, applicants must submit an arts supplement in order to be considered for an arts scholarship. All applicants who submit an arts supplement will be automatically considered for an arts scholarship.

Show/Hide Where do I find the Denison Applicant Portal?

You will be sent a link via email to the Denison applicant portal after you submit your Common Application or Coalition Application. Look for the portfolio section below the applicant and financial aid checklists. Select “submit arts supplement” and follow the instructions provided to upload your arts supplement materials.

Show/Hide If I apply Early Decision, can I still receive an arts scholarship?

Yes, arts supplements are reviewed and scholarships awarded for all decision deadlines. However, arts supplements must be submitted by your chosen application deadline in order to be considered.

Show/Hide What are my chances of receiving a scholarship?

Denison’s arts scholarships are competitive, with many talented students showcasing their abilities, and a limited number of awards. Regardless of whether you receive a scholarship, submitting an arts supplement helps us get to know you better as an applicant, and there are plenty of opportunities for all students at all levels of ability to study and participate in the arts at Denison! You do not need a scholarship to participate in the arts at Denison.

Show/Hide Can I submit arts supplements in more than one discipline?

Yes, you are welcome to showcase your strongest talents in more than one artistic discipline. However, students will not be awarded more than one arts scholarship.

Show/Hide Can I receive multiple scholarships?

Students can only receive one arts scholarship. However, you will automatically be considered for other financial aid awards.

Show/Hide Are auditions required to receive a music scholarship?

Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an on-campus audition with faculty members. During auditions, students will have the opportunity to connect with faculty and current students, tour our facilities, and learn more about Denison’s music program. Students who live outside the region and who cannot travel to campus may audition virtually (live over Zoom) and/or submit a recorded video audition as an arts supplement (15 minutes max). Audition information and requirements can be found on the music department page.

Show/Hide What is the difference between an arts supplement and a music audition?

Students who choose to audition (in person or virtually) do not need to submit a separate arts supplement. Audition information and requirements can be found on the music department page.

Show/Hide What if I can’t attend one of the music audition dates?

If you are unable to attend a music audition in person, you may upload a video audition as an arts supplement. Please review the requirements detailed above.

Show/Hide Are auditions available for dance or theatre?

To share your talents in dance or theatre, you should submit an arts supplement. Please review the requirements detailed above.

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