Art scholarships
ship?’ is a subject of animated discussion as port-folios and sketchbooks are prepared for submission in January. Opinions about art have been subjective
How to become an art scholar A
CHIEVING the status of ‘the art scholar’ is a competitive business among senior-school children. ‘Who’s going for an art scholar-
so successful art-scholarship applicants should be able to draw with confidence and sensitivity, just as musicians interpret a sight-reading piece.
Preparing the portfolio
since the 19th century, but fortunately for art teachers in the sensitive position of judging who should achieve art-scholar status, there are certain criteria to assist in spotting potential in candidates. These are based on an ability to draw, an obvious enthusiasm for established artists and evidence of thoughtful manipulation of different materials in both two and three dimensions. Despite what the Turner Prize judges
would lead us to believe, drawing is a key skill. If I had to choose one indicator above all others in the work of a potential art scholar, it would be an ability to draw sensitively, using a range of line, tone and pattern. Most schools set a drawing test,
18 School Life, Spring 2013
Do include recent work completed in the past year (or two at the most). Don’t include ‘masterpieces’ produced in infancy that indicated the candidate was the ‘next’ Jackson Pollock.
Do include drawings from first-hand subject matter, such as still-life objects on a kitchen table, corners of rooms or views from windows. Don’t include drawings from second-hand images, especially air- brushed photos of models from magazines.
Do present a large sketchbook of projects that shows development from drawings into various media, such as pastel, chalk, ink watercolours, gouache and acrylic, photos of sculptures and larger paintings.
If you have a child who shows artistic promise, it’s worth them considering a scholarship in the subject. Ann Buchanan, the Director of Edinburgh Art Studies, explains what schools will be looking for and we meet current scholars
Don’t present too many ‘one-off’ sketches that are unrelated to larger pieces.
Do show a response to established artists in art galleries. Stick in tickets and post- cards from the gallery to show that you’ve seen them at first hand and be prepared to talk about these artists and how they influ- ence your work in your interview. Don’t include out-of-focus images of artists ran- domly printed off the internet whose name you can’t remember.
Do be curious and enthusiastic!
Ann Buchanan teaches at Loretto School and has taught at St Leonards School, St Andrews, University of Edinburgh and Belhaven Hill School, Dunbar. As Director of Edinburgh Art Studies, she organises Art and History of Art courses for all ages in Scotland, London and Italy. She’s married to the artist Hugh Buchanan and two of their daughters were art scholars (
www.edinburghartstudies.co.uk)
www.countrylife.co.uk
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