Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships

Eligibility and Renewal Terms and Conditions

UMaine offers scholarship opportunities to applicants with demonstrated talent in the visual and performing arts, including art, music, theatre, and dance. The Visual and Performing Arts scholarships are Admissions Early Action Incentive Awards available to new incoming undergraduate students to UMaine. These scholarships are awarded based on the following eligibility criteria. Please view the information for instructions on how to apply.

Please note: In order to be considered for the Visual and Performing Arts Award, please submit your complete admissions application by the Early Action date of Dec. 1.

University of Maine Art Scholarship

Scholarship Eligibility and Renewal

Scholarship recipients must enroll in one of UMaine’s art majors (Studio Art, Art Education, History of Art) as their major or one of their double majors.
Requires submission of a digital portfolio of 10–15 JPEG images of the student’s work for portfolio review.
Requires a statement discussing the student’s work and interest in the Visual Arts.
Art Education or Art History may submit relevant projects and research papers in lieu of visual images.
Student must remain in good standing in one of UMaine’s art Majors — Studio Art, Art Education or History of Art. (Required for both eligibility and renewal)
Students should submit both statement and portfolio via email to um.art.vapa@maine.edu.

University of Maine Dance Performance Scholarship

Students must audition in person or via digital recording for a Dance Performance Scholarship.
Students must pursue a Dance minor (required for both eligibility and renewal)
Student must participate in at least one main stage dance concert each semester (required for both eligibility and renewal)
Student must participate in at least one dance ensemble (required for both eligibility and renewal)
Students wishing to be considered for the scholarship should email Philip Edelman at philip.edelman@maine.edu or call 207.581.4703.

University of Maine Music Performance Scholarship

Students must be nominated for this scholarship to the Music Department by a music teacher or music director or be observed in performance by a Music Department faculty member.
Scholarship students must participate each semester in an ensemble that is approved by the Chair of the Division of Music (required for both eligibility and renewal).
Please note: auditions, while not required for the Music Performance Scholarship, are required for students wishing to enroll in music major.
Students must verify that they are interested in the VAPA Music Performance scholarship with the Music Division (phone: 207.581.4703) or email philip.edelman@maine.edu so they can be added to the VAPA database.
If you wish to complete your admission as a music major (Music, Music Education, Music Performance), auditions are arranged through the Music Division, to schedule a music audition, please contact music@maine.edu or 207.581.4703.

University of Maine Theatre Arts Scholarship

Students must be nominated to the Theatre department by a drama instructor or audition in person or via digital recording. Contact: 207.581.4703.
Scholarship students must enroll as a theatre major as their major or one of their double majors (required for both eligibility and renewal)
Scholarship performers must audition for all theater productions produced by the department (required for both eligibility and renewal)
Scholarship technicians must take on one tech role in a production each academic year (required for both eligibility and renewal)
Students wishing to be considered for the scholarship should email philip.edelman@maine.edu

Scholarship Terms and Conditions

Awards are renewable for up to 8 semesters over 4 years, or 120 credits, provided that the student meets specific renewal criteria.
Awards are disbursed in two equal installments, one at the beginning of the fall semester and one at the beginning of the spring semester, as credit toward the student’s tuition account.
UMaine’s initial financial aid offers are based on the assumption that a student will enroll in 15 credits per semester. Some types of aid, including merit scholarships and institutional grants, are adjusted for students who enroll in less than 15 credits.
Student must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (see Office of Student Financial Aid for more information).
Student must maintain at least part-time enrollment (no less than 6 graded credit hours per semester) leading to an undergraduate degree at UMaine.
Student must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 as measured each academic year at the end of the spring semester.