About
The J. Sanford Miller Arts Scholars Program is a vibrant, interdisciplinary community of exceptional undergraduate artists and creative scholars in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Virginia.
Our mission is to foster artistic growth through making, learning, collaboration, dialogue, and mentorship while strengthening bonds between students and faculty. We celebrate both individual expression and collective creativity, striving to make the arts a powerful and lasting presence in our community and beyond. Distinct funding opportunities support both interdisciplinary and discipline-specific research, giving scholars the freedom to pursue original projects.
Miller Arts Scholars are researchers, creators, interpreters, collaborators, and advocates who are deeply engaged in the arts at UVA and beyond. Unlike at most large research universities, our scholars belong to a select group of undergraduates with enhanced access to resources in the arts—including personal introductions to distinguished faculty, unique creative opportunities, and dedicated research funding.
Admission to the program is competitive and application-based. Students apply in the spring of their first or second year to earn the Arts Scholars designation. In the fall, new scholars enroll in the Miller Arts Scholars Seminar, where they deepen their artistic practice, build community, share their portfolios, and learn from renowned faculty across Studio Art, Drama, Music, Dance, and Creative Writing. In the spring, they participate in a dynamic discussion course exploring urgent issues in the arts and broaden their networks with students, faculty, and artists beyond the university.
Through this unique and immersive experience, Miller Arts Scholars gain unparalleled access to resources and mentorship, while building lasting relationships, refining their skills, and preparing for meaningful futures in the arts. The program is guided by a faculty advisory committee representing Studio Art, Drama, Music, Dance, and Creative Writing.
Participation
Arts Scholars are expected to meet certain requirements during their first years of participation to be eligible for third and fourth-year research support. Arts Scholars must enroll in our fall seminar, Miller Arts Scholars Seminar (CASS 1010), where they are personally introduced to a cross-section of our faculty. Arts Scholars are also required to enroll in our spring discussion, Miller Arts Scholars Discussion (CASS 1011). Our scholars should prove measurable engagement with the program, with the arts at the University, and within their discipline throughout their academic career. Participants will attend outcome presentations and/or performances by fellow third and fourth-year Miller Arts Scholars each April.
Additionally, Arts Scholars are required to enroll in a minimum of four, credit-bearing art courses within their respective nominating department between their second and fourth year of study, regardless of majoring in another discipline. In Studio Art and Drama, one of these courses should be at 3000 level or above. In Dance, two of these courses should be at the 3000 level or above selected from two distinct areas: Movement Practice, Creative Process, Critical or Somatic Studies. In Music, two of these courses should be at the 3000 level or above, including at least one MUSI course. Participants should major or minor in the College and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.4 in all arts classes and 3.2 for the University to remain in the program.
Students remaining in good standing are encouraged to continue participation through applying for rising-third and fourth year, Arts Awards to support research for arts related projects. These projects may be single research projects or collaborations. Formal written proposals are required to apply for this support. All projects require identification of a discipline specific faculty advisor. Funding for projects is selected by our faculty advisory committee (MASFAC) and recipients of these awards will complete work through the following academic year when the outcomes of these projects will be presented before the public. Those receiving awards will have both their original written proposal and outcome report, complete with examples and/or links to media published at this website.
Fourth-Year Arts Trip
Miller Arts Scholars is actively seeking funding to sustain a potentially named, all-expense paid arts trip, originally piloted in 2019 and 2020. This trip will be offered to fourth-year Arts Scholars who have received at least one Arts Award from Miller Arts Scholars AND attended the required seminar/discussion classes while maintaining our required grade point averages. In the event that extra seats become available for this trip, other travelers may be chosen based on evidence of commitment to the program.
Choosing a Major
The J. Sanford Miller Family Arts Scholars is a College of Arts and Sciences program so participants must remain in the College to be involved. Most Arts Scholars choose to major and/or minor in our arts programs. Regardless of the major ultimately chosen, students involved with our program will always be part of the Arts Scholar community. Students in programs such as Education or Architecture may apply, provided they are also completing an arts major or minor in the College of Arts and Sciences. Such students may become Arts Scholars and are eligible for grant support, but will not be eligible for priority enrollment in College of Arts and Sciences courses.