Studio Awards
Maria Manetti Shrem Art Studio Program offers individual workspaces in the communal Advanced Undergraduate Studio to six selected Art Studio major students. The award lasts for one quarter, and awarded students are required to clean up the space and return it to the condition in which it was received at the end of each quarter. Students are eligible to receive the award for up to two quarters (with the possibility of extension depending on number of qualified applicants), whether consecutive or non-consecutive, excluding the summer studio awards. All awarded students must host one group Open Studio Event during the quarter. They must also attend the Studio Orientation and Exit Meeting, both of which are orchestrated by the undergraduate faculty advisor.
There is an expectation that students will actively use their studios during the award quarter.
The announcement of the studio application guidelines and deadline will be sent to art studio majors toward the end of each quarter.
Studio Award Submission Process
About
Maria Manetti Shrem Art Studio Program offers individual workspaces in the communal Advanced Undergraduate Studio to six selected Art Studio major students. The award lasts for one quarter, and awarded students are required to clean up the space and return it to the condition in which it was received at the end of each quarter. Students are eligible to receive the award for up to two quarters (with the possibility of extension depending on number of qualified applicants), whether consecutive or non-consecutive, excluding the summer studio awards. All awarded students must host one group Open Studio Event during the quarter. They must also attend the Studio Orientation and Exit Meeting, both of which are orchestrated by the undergraduate faculty advisor.
There is an expectation that students will actively use their studios during the award quarter.
The announcement of the studio application guidelines and deadline will be sent to Maria Manetti Shrem Art Studio majors toward the end of each quarter.
Application Materials:
- 10 recent work samples (for second term applicants, the first five images should include works produced during the first term residency). Work samples should be numbered 1-10.
- example: 1_Artist Name, 2_Artist Name etc.
- numbered checklist of submitted works corresponding to the submitted work samples. Include artist name, title of artwork, year, size, materials. example:
1_Artist Name
Summer Day, 2024
oil on canvas
30″ X 60″ - Artist Statement, 300-word max
- Justification for Studio Space
- Anticipated Graduation Date
- Indication if application is for a first, second, or third term
Selection Procedure and Criteria:
Maria Manetti Shrem Art Studio Program senate faculty review applications independently and vote for six students. The six students with the most votes are awarded studio space. The faculty considers the following criteria for their voting:
- The submitted work samples should be of a high quality and demonstrate the depth and breadth of the work. For example, if a student only submits 2 images when the application allows for 10, that could be interpreted as lack of depth and breadth.
- The artist statement should reflect the student’s ability to clearly describe their work and articulate the ideas that motivate it, as well as shed light on the material choices and processes it entails.
- The justification for studio space should clearly articulate the need for a studio in relation to the applicant’s current work/practice.
- Second term applicants must state how they used, and benefited from, their studio space during the first term, and provide justification for the need for a studio space for a second term.
- Applicants should clearly state their anticipated graduation date, as graduating seniors will be given priority.
- Applicants who have never had a studio, or who have had a studio for only one quarter will have priority over applicants who have already had a studio for 2 quarters at time of application. Summer quarter excluded.
All application materials must be submitted through the Google application form, which is shared with students via the major listserv every quarter. Please refer to the Post submission on BOX for additional guidance on creating shared BOX links.
Winter Awards
Art Studio gives out its annual undergraduate awards and scholarships during the winter quarter (see awards list below). Students in the Art Studio major post their submission for the Undergraduate Winter Awards show and submit their application online to be considered for awards and scholarships. Art Studio faculty will review Undergraduate Winter Awards Show submissions and vote on student submissions for each award/scholarship. The voting process will not conclude until after the show. Below are links to the application form and the Undergraduate Winter Awards Show submission instructions.
Roland Petersen Printmaking Scholarship
$2,500 Scholarship to support a July or August month-long artist residency at Kala Art Institute + up to $1,000 for materials. The opportunity includes housing for the length of the residency.
- Eligibility: Upper division or graduating Art Major with ample printmaking skills who can excel in a self-motivated and shared work environment. The scholarship is given to students who demonstrate a background in Intermediate or Advanced Level printmaking classes.
Yale Norfolk Nomination
Nomination for program and $1500 Award if admitted.
- Eligibility: Students must be returning to UC Davis for at least two quarters NEXT academic year. Juniors or Seniors planning on a fifth year may apply. Award provided if admitted will cover registration fees. The student selected for this nomination will need to pay their own travel expenses and lodgings. Applicants need to research this program before applying. Program information can be found here.
Freemon Gadberry Award in Sculpture
- $1,000 Gadberry Award given to students based on the quality of their exhibited work.
Eligibility: The scholarship is open to any art studio major (open to any sculptural medium). There are no other criteria for eligibility.
Freemon Gadberry Award in Art
$1,000 Gadberry Award given to students based on the quality of their exhibited work.
- Eligibility: The scholarship is open to any art studio major (open to any medium). There are no other criteria for eligibility.
Jeffrey Owyang Art Scholarship
$1,000 Scholarship established to provide support to undergraduate students majoring in art studio. The scholarship is given to students based on the quality of their exhibited work.
- Eligibility: The scholarship is open to any declared art studio major (open to any medium). There are no other criteria for eligibility.
Marcia Cary Anti-Gravity Award
$1,000 Award based on the quality of exhibited work.
- Eligibility: Scholarship for transfer student working in any medium
Anderson Ranch Summer Sculpture Course Scholarship
$1,500 Scholarship given to one student for a fully funded week-long summer sculpture course at Anderson Ranch.
The scholarship will offset costs of travel, room and board and fees associated with the course.
- Eligibility: The scholarship is given to students who demonstrate a background in Intermediate or Advanced Level sculpture classes and/or sculpture-based Independent Study.
New York Studio School Summer Session Scholarship
$1000 in Tuition Match for the New York Studio School Summer program awarded to a student based on the quality of their work and its relevance to the NY Studio School’s mission. The student selected for this award will need to pay their own travel expenses and lodgings. Applicants need to research this program before applying. NYSS program listings and estimated costs are found here.
Winter Awards Submission Process
2026 Application process and deadlines
The Maria Manetti Shrem Art Studio Program gives out its annual undergraduate awards and scholarships during the winter quarter (see awards list below). Students in the Studio Art major post their submission for the Undergraduate Winter Awards show and submit their application online to be considered for awards and scholarships. Studio Art faculty will review Undergraduate Winter Awards Show submissions and vote on student submissions for each award/scholarship. Below are links to the application form and the Undergraduate Winter Awards Show submission instructions. Contact Laura Xue Luo for more information.
Dates and Deadlines
- Submit an online application via Google Form by Dec. 15, 2025, to Jan. 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM. This Google Form will include
- Personal information
- Grade level and expected date of graduation
- Scholarships and Award list
- Link to the Box Folder
- The Box Folder will include
- 9 images of recent work
- Numbered checklist
- Artist statement
Freemon Gadberry Award in Sculpture
$1,000 Gadberry Award given to students based on the quality of their exhibited work. Eligibility: The scholarship is open to any studio art major (open to any sculptural medium). There are no other criteria for eligibility.
Freemon Gadberry Award in Art
$1,000 Gadberry Award given to students based on the quality of their exhibited work. Eligibility: The scholarship is open to any studio art major (open to any medium). There are no other criteria for eligibility.
Jeffrey Owyang Art Scholarship
$1,000 Scholarship established to provide support to undergraduate students majoring in studio art. The scholarship is given to students based on the quality of their exhibited work. Eligibility: The scholarship is open to any declared studio art major (open to any medium). There are no other criteria for eligibility.
Marcia Cary Anti-Gravity Award
$1,000 Award based on the quality of exhibited work. Eligibility: Scholarship for transfer student working in any medium.
Anderson Ranch Summer Sculpture Course Scholarship
$1,500 Scholarship given to one student for a fully funded week-long summer sculpture course at Anderson Ranch. Scholarship will offset costs of travel, room and board and fees associated with the course. Eligibility: The scholarship is given to students who demonstrate a background in Intermediate or Advanced Level sculpture classes and/or sculpture-based Independent Study.
New York Studio School Summer Session Scholarship
$1000 in Tuition Match for the New York Studio School Summer program awarded to a student based on the quality of their work and its relevance to the NY Studio School’s mission. The student selected for this award will need to pay their own travel expenses and lodgings. Applicants need to research this program before applying.
Yale Norfolk Nomination
Nomination for program and $1,500 award if admitted. Eligibility: Students must be returning to UC Davis for at least two quarters NEXT academic year. Juniors or Seniors planning on a fifth year may apply. Award provided if admitted will cover registration fees. The student selected for this nomination will need to pay their own travel expenses and lodgings. Applicants need to research this program before applying. Program information can be found here.
Submission Instructions
To be considered for the 2026 Undergraduate Winter Awards you will need to:
- Upload your Winter Awards Submission via Box during the submission period (Dec. 15, 2025 to Jan. 12, 2026).
- Submit an online application via Google Form, which will open from Dec. 15, 2025 to Jan. 12, 2026 at 11:59PM.
- You will select which awards you are applying for on the Google Form.
- Your Box folder will include your application materials. This makes you eligible for the awards you have selected on the form.
Application Materials
- 9 recent images of work.
- Images of work should be labelled with a 1–9 and the title. Example:
- 1. Summer Day
- Numbered checklist. It corresponds to the 1–9 images of work.
- Include artist name, title of artwork, year, size, and materials. Example:
- 1. Artist Name
Summer Day, 2024
oil on canvas
30″ x 60″
- Images of work should be labelled with a 1–9 and the title. Example:
- Artist Statement, 300-word max
Posting Your Submission on Box
- To post on Box, please review the document carefully and follow the instructions exactly.