Each year, UC Davis offers four students scholarships – Manetti Shrem International Residency Scholarships — to attend the Royal Drawing School’s Drawing Intensive program during the Fall Quarter. The Royal Drawing School aims to raise the standard and profile of drawing through teaching and practice. At its core is the belief that drawing is crucial for all aspects of visual learning. 

This opportunity is open to all UCD seniors who have their degrees by Spring, and recently graduated Art Studio majors.

The application process typically opens in March and will be advertised on the art studio website and social media when the application process is open.

The residency is a twelve-week commitment, 10 weeks in London with classwork at the RDS and 2 weeks at Dumfries House in Scotland. In Scotland shared housing and studio space are provided but students are responsible for travel expenses, food, and art materials. While at Dumfries House, individual tutorials continue with faculty at the RDS.

Successful student applicants had this to say about the program and their experiences:

“This year has truly been astounding.” — Connor Kurata (2022)

“I knew exactly the type of work I want to make and I was stuck in a formulaic pattern, studying at the Royal Drawing School has pushed me out of my comfort zone, it straight pushed me out! As strange as it felt at first, it has been immensely beneficial and has changed the way that I look at my work and how I create work. I am so grateful and happy to have had this experience.” — Matthew Kellison (2022)

“There has been so much to learn from everyone I have meet and every culture I have encountered. Being in the UK and studying at the Royal Drawing School has been the most challenging, wonderful and filled with growth experience that one can have, it has been incredible!” — Julia Walters (2022)

“I knew this experience would provide me with more technical drawing skills but it has also depended my passion for drawing in ways that I couldn’t have expected. I now find myself wanting to draw everything to tell a story and evoke a feeling, it has made me determined to never stop sharpening this visual language.” — Mary-Joy Tantingco (2022)