Art Scholarships 2025

Art Scholarships

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Art Scholarships

Our scholarship programme supports each student’s development as an artist by encouraging scholars to engage in a rich and challenging creative journey of self-discovery. We aim to introduce students to a wide range of media and processes, encouraging them to become creative risk takers with a thirst for exploration and discovery. Students are expected to develop their critical thinking skills, their intellectual curiosity, and their awareness of historical and contemporary art and aesthetics. We help them to discover their own voice and challenge themselves to develop their skills and ideas. Art Scholars are offered every opportunity to fully engage in all aspects of learning about and making art.

Sarah Greenwood Head of Art

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Art at Ampleforth

The Art Department at Ampleforth is a thriving hub of activity where we endeavour to inspire and nurture every student’s individuality and creativity, enabling them to realise their artistic ambitions.

The Department is well equipped with large, light studios, printmaking and ceramics facilities, a plaster room, an excellent library, a dark room, and a life drawing studio. The students regularly exhibit their work in the Department’s ‘Lightwell’ and at other locations around the school.

“I really loved how the art department encouraged independent experimentation. Through this I was able to find my own unique path through self-critiquing which really built my confidence.”

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Isabel Rogerson (B)

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Scholarship Programme

• Personal Scholarship Mentor to monitor and support progress, set objectives and provide a termly report

• Scholars progress through our own Master of Arts programme, enabling them to become experts in their chosen field(s) and, in turn, to lead and help mentor younger students

• Scholars keep a log of their progress and achievements

• Talks and masterclasses from outside speakers

• Scholars’ annual trip to an exhibition and/or artist studio

• Entries in national competitions such as ARTiculation and the Royal Academy Young Artists Summer Show

• Scholars Art pack of materials and crested sketchbook

• Contribution of one piece of work annually to the Scholars Collection

• Work exhibited at Exhibition

• Support and help with preparation for applications for the next developmental stage of Scholarships and/or for competitive higher education institutions

Every year we run a series of events for families to learn more about scholarships as well as taster days for students. Please contact Admissions to find out more: admissions@ampleforth.org.uk.

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Could you become an Arts Scholar?

13+ Basil Hume Scholarship

Scholarships are awarded to talented candidates who have a passion for art and an ambition to stretch themselves further. The ideal candidate will:

• Have an advanced ability to draw from observation

• Think independently, be intellectually curious, and explore ideas and media creatively

• Enjoy taking risks and be willing to challenge themselves to experiment with new content and processes

Assessment is through an interview and a practical assessment at Ampleforth. Candidates are asked to submit a digital portfolio prior to interview containing 10 images that are personal and meaningful responses, where intention is realised and candidates’ ability to understand visual language is showcased. Amongst the 10 selected works there should be evidence of;

• drawing

• the use of a range of materials and processes eg photography, 3D, print, paint etc

• research skills

• a new piece of work entitled ‘Home’ produced in any medium

In addition to the digital portfolio, candidates should bring a current sketchbook of ideas and a piece of writing analysing a work of art that they have seen in real life, 200 words approx. to discuss at interview. The practical assessment will include a collaborative creative task and a drawing task.

To retain Art Scholar status, it is expected that students select and continue to study Art at GCSE level.

16+ Senior Scholarship

Senior Art Scholarships are offered to exceptional artists who are passionate about the subject, intellectually curious, ambitious and hard working. Senior Art Scholars help to set the atmosphere of serious endeavour in the Sixth Form and should be a catalyst for achievement in their year group, introducing new approaches and ideas to their peers.

The ideal candidate will be:

• self-motivated and ambitious

• driven to challenge and develop their own practice

Assessment is through interview and a practical assessment at Ampleforth. Candidates are asked to submit a digital Portfolio prior to interview containing ten pieces of work demonstrating a range of skills and media. If invited to interview, candidates should bring a current sketchbook of ideas, and will be expected to discuss this and their digital portfolio submission, confidently review their work, their use of materials and the development of their ideas.

They will also be asked to complete:

• an analysis of the work of another artist presented in the interview

• a 2-hour drawing task

To retain Art Scholar status, it is expected that students select and continue to study Art at A level.

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“Now that I have left Ampleforth, I realise how lucky we were to have such expert and committed teachers. The breadth of knowledge in the department is amazing.”

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Florence Harrison (A)

Expectations of our Scholars

Basil Hume Scholars are expected to study Art at GCSE and to participate in the weekly Scholars’ programme. All scholars are expected to immerse themselves in the cocurricular opportunities in art, and be ambassadors for the subject and the Department, contributing widely to the artistic life of the school. They should maintain a record of their achievements and progress as Art Scholars.

Senior Art Scholars will also play an important role in supporting the art staff to run activities and to help develop and mentor younger students.

Scholarships are reviewed annually and may be removed if a scholar does not participate fully in the programme or meet expectations.

Bursaries

Those in need of financial support are encouraged to apply for means-tested bursaries. The award of a scholarship is a very strong indicator of a student who is likely to flourish at Ampleforth and it can be extremely helpful in supporting a bursary application.

For more information about scholarships or the assessment process, please contact the Admissions Office:

admissions@ampleforth.org.uk or 01439 766000

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