Arts Scholarships
The Arts Scholarships programme supports students who want to develop their artistic interests alongside their studies. Each scholarship runs for one academic year.
There are 12 scholarship places available.
Successful applicants will:
- Receive £1,0001 to support their artistic development
- Engage in a skills development programme
- Be given opportunities to showcase their talents
- Be matched with a mentor from the artistic community (where possible)
The Programme
Scholars participate in a programme of skills development sessions scheduled on Wednesday afternoons, when lectures are not taking place. The sessions focus on different topics and are adapted year by year. Past topics have included: How to Navigate Unusual Collaborations; Networking Skills; How to Deliver your own Artistic Workshop and more.
Over the course of the Programme, Scholars organise a formal showcase to be held at The Edge. The Scholars' Showcase is the highlight of the programme and is attended by local artists, university staff and friends. It provides a unique experience to develop transferrable skills like event management and self-promotion as well as demonstrate your talent to a new audience and to network with like-minded artists.
In accepting the offer of a Scholarship, you commit to:
- Attending and fully participating in all programme dates
- Taking an active role in planning the Showcase
- Promoting the Scholarship Programme, for example through a blog / vlog
- Interacting with donors where requested
Training and support is provided.
Eligibility
The Arts Scholarship is open to any student registered at the University of Bath in the academic year 2025-6 on any undergraduate course from year 2 onwards, or on any postgraduate programme. This can include placement (full or part-year), remote study, part-time or international students.
Students may apply for the scholarship unlimited times but can only be awarded a place on the programme once – previous Arts Scholars are not eligible to reapply.
You are invited to apply to progress and develop any art form which may include (but is not limited to) the following:
- Performing Arts (including acting, music, dancing, singing, spoken word, musical theatre, circus etc.)
- Technical / Backstage skills
- Visual Arts (including photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, digital, video art etc.)
- Excellence in playing a musical instrument
- A new art form (for example: DJ, gaming design, interactive design)
Application Process
All written applications must be submitted through the online portal before the deadline of midnight on Monday 5th May 2025. Please note that we are not able to accept any additional application information by email (including photos, videos, bios or social media links).
Applicants will be notified by email as to whether they have been shortlisted on Friday 16th May 2025.
If shortlisted, you will be invited to attend an audition / interview on campus. The audition dates are as follows and cannot be moved.
- Tuesday 10th June 2025 12-5pm: Theatre
- Wednesday 11th June 2025 12-5pm: Music
- Thursday 12th June 2025 12-5pm: Visual arts
As there is a short amount of time between the closing date for applications and auditions, please make sure that you have prepared for your audition in advance.
If invited for audition, you will receive final details about what to expect and deliver. For guidance, we would suggest that you prepare (depending on your chosen art form):
- Music - 2 x pieces of your choice, each 2 minutes max
- Dance – 2 x pieces in your contrasting styles, each 2 minutes max
- Theatre – 2 x pieces, one classical and one contemporary, each 2 minutes max
- Visual arts, technical services or a medium in which an audition is not appropriate - please prepare your portfolio and examples of your work to demonstrate at the audition / showcase
If you require any additional access or requirement of your art to facilitate your audition, please let us know as soon as possible following your invitation to audition.
Auditions of approximately 15 minutes will be used to assess your level of talent and potential. The audition will consist of a performance or portfolio presentation, followed by questions about your art and passion.
The audition panel will then score your audition based on the following criteria:
- Performance / portfolio presentation
- Passion, commitment and development potential
- Commitment and ideas for engaging with the wider Arts community
Successful applicants will be notified during June 2025.
In accepting a scholarship, applicants commit to full participation in the programme and to appropriate spending of the grant as outlined above and in the Terms and Conditions.
Donor Support
We would like to thank the following donors for helping to make the University of Bath Arts Scholarships possible:
- The Elly Williams Arts Scholarships
- The Jonah Swain Arts Scholarship
- John Cullum
- Margaret Dewey
- Dorothy Walters-Godfree
- The University of Bath Alumni Fund
Previous Arts Scholars
"Coming to Bath and participating in the Arts … has allowed me to fall back in love with my art. Being in such a supportive passionate community has been so inspiring which inspired me to improve" - 2023/4 Arts Scholar