Graduate Assistantships

MFA applicants who want to be considered for an assistantship and fellowship must complete their application to the Graduate School by January 15, 2026. Exceptions are occasionally made for students applying for admission after that date or for currently enrolled students who may be awarded assistantships after the first-year review. Applications are accepted until the area quota is filled.

School of Art assistantships are 50% time, normally requiring a 20 hour per week commitment. An assistantship is generally awarded for a full year (9 month academic year). Appointment to a second or third year assistantship is the norm, but not automatic, and is based upon success in academic and studio coursework.

Other graduate positions with tuition waivers are frequently available in the Office of Information Technology, Student Activities, Advising, Recreation, and other university services. Contact these services directly or ask the concentration area representative for more information.

GTA Benefits:

• Graduate Teaching Assistantship (year one) annual stipend – $26,496 (2025-26 rate)
• Graduate Teaching Assistantship (year two and three) annual stipend – $26,496 (2025-26 rate)
• Full tuition waiver and waiver of maintenance, mandatory fees, and differential tuition for the period of appointment.
• These appointments also include a benefit of health insurance for the student.
• See Financial Aid for the latest graduate tuition and fee information.

Incoming Graduate Fellowships

MFA applicants who want to be considered for an incoming fellowship must complete their application to the Graduate School by January 15, 2026. Incoming fellowships are based on nominations from the School of Art Graduate Committee. Graduate School application materials and interviews are used to nominate students and no additional steps are required. Graduate Fellowships and Awards

Additional Work-Related Funding

Gallery 1010

Each year the School of Art Graduate Committee awards two students to run Gallery 1010. https://gallery1010.utk.edu/  Gallery 1010 is a contemporary art exhibition space located at 100 S. Gay Street in Suite 114 of The Emporium Center of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. As one of three University of Tennessee School of Art galleries, Gallery 1010 is the only fully student-run, non-profit, off-campus exhibition space in the state of Tennessee. The mission of Gallery 1010 is to provide space for the School of Art students of the University of Tennessee to experiment and develop new ideas while gaining educational gallery experience in professional standards and practices.

Continuing Graduate Scholarships + Awards

Campus-wide Continuing Graduate Fellowships

Continuing Graduate Students are nominated for additional university-wide fellowships by the School of Art Graduate Committee. No additional steps are required. Endowed Graduate Fellowships 

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services.  All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Visit the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships for information on more scholarships, grants, and loans, and Center of International Education for travel abroad funding.

SOA Scholarships and Awards

The School of Art annually presents a broad range of scholarships and awards to graduate students in addition to tuition waivers, GTA stipends, and fellowships. School of Art Scholarships are awarded through a faculty jury of student applications and portfolios. Eligibility for the various awards is described in the application form links below. Awardees of 2024-25 scholarships will be notified via email in the spring.

Prospective graduate students are not eligible for the awards listed. Application materials for incoming fellowships and fellowship nominations are reviewed by the School of Art Graduate Committee during the admittance process.

Current first and second-year graduate students may apply for awards in the following categories.

NOTE: You must be logged into your UTK Account to access the application forms.

Previous Scholarship Recipients