CVPA Student Scholarships

To provide scholarships to undergraduate and graduate CVPA students.

To provide crucial financial, promotional, and production/exhibit support for our alumni’s artistic development.  

To support one or more student scholarships for a graduate student, either full-time or part-time and either in-state or out-of-state. Recipient will be pursuing a Masters of Music with a concentration in Vocal Studies and qualify on the basis primarily of musical talent and financial need. Lucy Church (CHSS and SCHAR) served on the Board of Trustees, was a longtime Arts at Mason Board member and is a steadfast supporter of the Arts at Mason.

To support scholarships for a full-time undergraduate or graduate Mason student with preference to students majoring in music, dance, and theater that qualify on a basis of financial need.

Scholarship will be given to an undergraduate CVPA major who is committed to building community within the college and university. Recipients must have completed at least their freshman year and enroll full-time for the fall semester of the upcoming year. Alice Watts worked at Mason for more than 25 years in a variety of capacities in the arts at Mason. This award honors her unwavering commitment to student success and strong sense of community in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. 

Provide support for scholarly work and creative opportunities in CVPA, including, but not limited to conference attendance and related travel expenses, research expenses and scholarships. The fund was created to provide lasting and perpetual support for scholarly work and creative opportunities for students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

This scholarship is awarded each academic year to a CVPA graduate student who is a current, registered student in one of the College’s graduate programs at the Master’s, MFA, or doctoral levels. The recipient of the Victoria N. Salmon Outstanding Graduate Student Award demonstrates thoughtful, artistic reflection while creating high quality work in the arts. The selected graduate student is one whose work advances scholarship in their own discipline and at the same time enhances the understanding of the arts in general.

The amount of the awarded scholarship is up to $5,000 in tuition assistance and may be dispensed over two consecutive semesters. The application for this award opens up every Spring semester and tuition assistance begins in the following semester.

Applicants must meet the following qualifications: 

• Completed at least 50% of their coursework for the degree at the time of application submission; 
• Earned an overall 3.5 (or better) GPA in coursework; 
• Completed the CVPA 600 Graduate Pro Seminar Course.

Please contact Asma Omarzad for information about this scholarship.

To support undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Art.

To provide scholarships for School of Art undergraduate and graduate students. Students may be full-time or part-time, in-state or out-of-state, and will qualify on the basis of academic merit and financial need. The award is named in memory of Jeanne A. Knight-Faske, a distinguished artist and educator.

To provide scholarship support to a rising senior in the School or Art for the completion of their capstone project which involves an individual living with a live-altering health condition. Recipients must be full or part-time undergraduates pursuing a degree in Art. They will qualify on the basis of financial need and must be a U.S. citizen. This award is named in memory of Nancy Monson, who had a strong interest in the visual arts, by her husband and Mason alumnus Mark Monson. Watch a video of Mark speaking about the importance of giving to scholarships.

Provide two merit awards each academic year for students who have made a commitment to painting as a primary interest in the School of Art. Recipients will be selected based on merit, including academic achievement, leadership within the School of Art and the University, and professional accomplishments. This award honors Rosette Mines, a distinguished professional painter who shared her love of art with her niece.

To provide scholarship support for undergraduate students majoring in Art who exemplify positivity, generosity, drive, entrepreneurial spirit, enthusiasm and love for the arts. Applicants may be either full or part-time, but must be in-state. Recipients will be selected on the basis of academic merit and financial need. This award is named in memory of Joey Noufal, a creative entrepreneur who loved art and highly valued education.

Established for undergraduate scholarships for students pursuing a degree in graphic arts in the School of Art. Recipient will qualify on the basis of academic merit and financial need, may be full-time or part-time, in-state or out of state. This award is named in memory of Noah J. Seidenberg, a School of Art student who loved art and philosophy and is remembered for his kind and generous spirit.

To provide dance scholarships.

To benefit undergraduate students in dance. Student may be full-time or part-time, in-state or out-of-state, and will qualify on the basis of talent in dance. This award is named in honor of Joanne Ferris Johnson, the wife of the late George Johnson, president of George Mason University (1978 to 1996). Joanne was an enthusiastic supporter of the School of Dance.

To provide a scholarship for one full-time undergraduate dance major for four years. Recipients will be pursuing a BFA in dance and may be either in or out-of-state. Recipients will qualify on the basis of creative promise and talent. This award is named in honor of Donna L. Kidd, and Peter N. Stearns, longtime supporters and avid enthusiasts of the School of Dance.

To provide scholarships to CVPA full-time or part-time, in-state or out-of-state, undergraduate or graduate students who qualify on the basis of financial need. This award honors the life of Amy Kruppenbacher, who loved dance.

To provide scholarships for undergraduate students seeking a degree in dance. Recipients will qualify on the basis of academic merit. Recipient must be a full-time student but may be either in-state or out-of-state. This award is named in honor of Linda Miller, Professor in the School of Dance and a Distinguished Service Professor at George Mason University. 

To provide a merit award for a student serving as concertmaster of Dewberry School of Music’s Symphony Orchestra based on merit, academic achievement, leadership of orchestra (especially string section), and contribution to work orchestra. This award is in memory of Grace Aitel, who supported her daughter’s passion for music.

To support percussion student scholarships and creative projects within the percussion program. Recipients may be either undergraduate or graduate students pursuing degrees in Music Performance and/or Music Education; recipients will qualify on the basis of academic merit and financial need and must be a full-time student; recipients may be either in-state or out-of-state students who may also be international students who are not U.S. Citizens. This award honors the memory of renowned percussionist Fred Begun, who was the principal timpanist for the National Symphony Orchestra for 48 years.

To provide scholarships for undergraduate students enrolled in the Dewberry School of Music. Recipients will qualify on the basis of financial need, but must also be identified and recommended by the music faculty of the CVPA as showing outstanding promise in their field.

To provide scholarship assistance to one or more students in the Dewberry School of Music. Recipients will be selected on the basis of talent and financial need. Preference may be given to vocalists, but all areas of music study will be considered.

To support piano scholarships for a music student. This scholarship honors the memory of accomplished pianist Jean Carrington Cook.

To provide a scholarship for a full-time, undergraduate student majoring in music. Preference will be given to a string play pursuing a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Music Education. This award was established in memory of Dr. Sam di Bonaventura, professor of Music at George Mason University from 1975 through 1998, who not only had a commitment to education, but was an advocate for George Mason.

To provide scholarship support for students in the Dewberry School of Music as well as support activities and events.

To benefit a full-time student of music with a scholarship. Recipient may be an undergraduate or graduate student that qualifies on the basis of musical talent and academic merit, and may have in-state or out-of-state residency. Preference will be given to a clarinetist. This fund is a lasting legacy from former School of Music Director and Professor Joseph Kanyan.

To provide scholarships to a full-time or part-time, in or out of state undergraduate or graduate student concentrating in vocal performance. The recipient will be selected on the basis of financial need, academic merit, and musical talent. This scholarship honors avid opera lovers Kathleen Lieder and Lloyd Fell.

To provide scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Jazz Studies. Recipients may be full-time or part-time and may be in-state or out-of-state and will qualify on the basis of academic merit. This award was made by Maurice “Jerry” Long, a member of the Friends of Music Board, and Jazz enthusiast, in honor of his late wife, Patricia Long.

To provide scholarships for undergraduate or graduate students majoring in instrumental music. Students may be in-state or out-of-state and will qualify on the basis of academic merit and musical talent. This award is named in honor of Anthony J. Maiello, a well renowned conductor, teacher, composer, and performer. He holds the title of distinguished University Professor, the highest rank given to Mason faculty members.

To provide program support for the School of Music. This award is named honor of Dr. Linda Apple Monson, Director of the School of Music.

To provide for music scholarships to students.

To support scholarships in music. Recipients must be full-time or part-time, undergraduate/graduate students, either in/out of state, majoring in music and will qualify on the basis of musical talent and academic merit. This award is named in honor of the Peterson Family Foundation. Carolyn and Milt Peterson, and their family, are longtime supporters of the School of Music. Carolyn served for many years on the Arts at Mason Board.

To provide scholarships for students majoring in Vocal Studies. Named in honor of Carol M. Robinson, a distinguished Mezzo Soprano who performed with the Rochester Philharmonic and the Rochester Oratorio Society, and Peter R. Barcher PhD, a university administrator and professor.

To support scholarships for undergraduate clarinet or saxophone players in the university pep band, “The Green Machine." Students may be in/out of state. Recipient will be selected on the basis of musical talent and financial need. This award honors Pamela Roe. Pamela and her husband David were awarded the Cornerstone Awards by the Green Machine Ensembles in 2019, due to their years of dedication and enthusiasm.

To provide merit or need-based scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students pursuing a degree at CVPA. Established by the Peterson Family Foundation, this award honors Carolyn Peterson’s love of opera.

To provide scholarships in music composition. Recipients must be full-time/part-time undergraduate/graduate music students engaged in private instruction in composition and will be selected on the basis of musical talent and academic merit.

To provide scholarships to undergraduate or graduate students majoring in music. Recipient must be a full-time student with in-state or out-of-state residency that qualifies based on the basis musical talent and academic merit. Recipient must be enrolled in specified performance ensembles each semester. This fund honors the memory of former Chair of the Department of Music Joseph Shirk. Dr. Shirk was a devoted educator and a tireless advocate for music education.

To provide scholarship support for students in the School of Music.  

To provide scholarships to undergraduate or graduate students, obtaining a degree in Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance or a degree in Music Education with a concentration in vocal. Recipient must qualify on the basis primarily of musical talent with secondary consideration to be financial need. Full-time or part-time, in-state or out-of-state.

To support scholarships for technical design students. Recipient must be a junior or senior, may be in-state or out-of-state, and qualify on the basis of academic merit and financial need. This award is named in honor of Howard Kurtz, former Professor of Theater and head of the Theater Design Program.

To provide scholarships for School of Theater undergraduate students. Students may be full-time, in-state or out-of-state, and will qualify on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Applicants must demonstrate a contribution to service in and a spirit for improving the School of Theater community. Named in honor of Mack and Paulette Miller, dedicated supporters of Theater at Mason. The Millers have played a formative role in the development and leadership of the Friends of Theater.

Read about the Millers.

Named in honor of Brower “BC” Spransy, who had long career as an engineer with the Government Services Agency and was also an amateur magician. The scholarship provides support for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the School of Theater. Recipients must be full-time students, may be in-state or out-of-state, and will qualify on the basis of academic merit and artistic excellence and potential. Preference may be given to students with an active participation in improvisation, such as the Mason Improv Association or the creation of Devised Theater offerings, and especially one that incorporates magic, illusion, comedy and/or similar elements in their performances.

To provide scholarships and academic program funding for theater.

To provide scholarship for theater students.

To provide scholarships for graduate arts management students. Recipient may be an in-state or out-of-state student and be a full-time or part-time student.

To provide student scholarships for the arts management and film programs. This award is named in memory of Mason alumna Erin Gaffney (Arts Management, ’07).  

To provide scholarships for and general operating support to the Computer Game Design Program.

To provide lasting support for scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students in Computer Games Design. Recipients may be full-time or part-time, in-state or out-of-state residents, and will qualify on the basis of both academic merit and unmet financial need. This award is named in honor of the Beck Family, who have been strong supporters of the Computer Game Design Program.

To provide for scholarships for film students.

To provide student scholarships for the arts management and film programs. This award is named in memory of Mason alumna Erin Gaffney (Arts Management, ’07).