OU Student Financial Center Student Art Exhibit Scholarship Application

The University of Oklahoma Student Financial Center announces a call to student artists for the juried SFC Student Art Exhibit competition. Chosen pieces will be displayed in public spaces in Buchanan Hall. The gallery and display space is frequently visited by current and prospective students, visiting families and friends, and local “Normanites” enjoying the University of Oklahoma campus. The exhibit is seeking submissions representative of the University of Oklahoma Norman student population. Selected students will be awarded a cash prize and have their artwork exhibited in the Student Financial Center Student Art Exhibit for three years.

For any questions or concerns regarding the application process, please contact Jonathan Blevins <jblevins@ou.edu> with the University of Oklahoma Scholarship Office

Eligibility Requirements:

  • All applicants must be eighteen (18) or older
  • All applicants must be a regularly enrolled, degree-seeking student, at the University of Oklahoma Norman campus.

Award Amounts:
The University of Oklahoma Student Financial Center offers up to nine cash awards for finalists based on application tiers.

  • Tier One, $1,000.00 per award, for three finalists
  • Tier Two, $750.00 per award, for three finalists
  • Tier Three, $500.00 per award, for three finalists

Theme:

The theme for the exhibition is open. Entries must be original works of art created by the applicant during their time at the University of Oklahoma. Themes that violate the University of Oklahoma Student Rights and Responsibilities Code will be automatically denied including, but not limited to, works that portray violence, sexual acts, drugs, and/ or alcohol.

Entries:

Two-dimensional artwork must be suitable and ready to hang. Framing or mounting of works, if required for exhibition, is the responsibility of the artist and must be carried out prior to delivery. Three-dimensional artwork must be suitable and ready to be fastened to the wall and cannot exceed 10 pounds. There are no restrictions on size, but we encourage artists to visit the University of Oklahoma Student Financial Center, located in Buchanan Hall, to observe the available space.

Acceptable mediums include Acrylic, Airbrush, Ceramics, Charcoal, Color Pencil, Computer Art, Digital Art, Digital Photography, Drawings, Encaustic, Fiber Arts, Glass Art, Graphite, Gouache, Illustration, Mixed Media, New Media, Oil, Pastel, Pen and Ink, Photo Assemblage, Printmaking, Sculpture, Traditional Photography, or Watercolor.

Award Tiers

Please review the below links (pictures) to see the available space in the Student Financial Center and which tier the space is associated with. Please open each picture in a separate window.

Tier One
Tier One
Tier Two
Tier Three
Tier Three

Scholarship Competition Process:

The preliminary submission period will take place between October 1, 2025 and February 1, 2026. Submissions will only be accepted via the Centralized Academic Scholarship Hub and no late submissions will be accepted. Art pieces will go through a preliminary blind-review process facilitated by a jury of faculty/ staff members employed by the University of Oklahoma. Finalists will be invited to the University of Oklahoma School of Visual Arts to present their artwork in person to the jury. Specific dates to be detailed later. The second round of reviews will take place and final pieces will be chosen. Students will be notified by email if they are accepted into the second phase and/or a designated winner.

Although students are able to submit multiple pieces or set(s) of pieces, a student may only be awarded for one solo piece or set.

Once the final collection is chosen, students will be notified by email no later than March 15, 2026. Final awards will be posted to OU Bursar Accounts during the Spring 2026 semester.

Award
Varies
Deadline
02/01/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. Artist Name:
  2. Artist Website:
  3. Artist Statement:
  4. Please submit the below information, per piece, for each piece submitted. If submitting a set, please submit as one piece. Please be aware you can only submit up to six total pieces, or sets, for application.
    • Artwork Dimensions
    • Artwork Medium
    • Artwork Title
    • Image Upload of Artwork
    • Please select which tier you would like this piece (or set) to be reviewed for. Please be aware that a piece may not be reviewed for a tier outside that which the applicant selects.
    • Year Artwork was Created
  5. I affirm that the submitted work(s) of art are my own, an adaption of existing work is not acceptable, and I have the authority to place the work on loan to the University of Oklahoma
  6. The artwork must not contain any content that displays any third party advertising, slogan, logo, trademark or otherwise indicates a sponsorship or endorsement by a third party. If a third-party’s copyrighted information or material is incorporated into the Art or Artist’s work product or in the course or scope of Artist’s performance hereunder, Artist shall obtain any and all necessary permissions and waivers and pay all necessary fees to permit University to display said Art and all such third-party information or material shall be properly acknowledged and credited by Artist.
  7. I recognize that if accepted, the chosen work(s) of art may be displayed at the University of Oklahoma for up to 3 years.
  8. I reserve the right to rescind my application up to the point of receiving the award and will notify scholarships@ou.edu as soon as possible if I choose to cancel my application.
  9. I recognize that if chosen, my award will be disbursed via the OU Bursar’s Office and be applied towards my Bursar Account.
  10. Assumption of Risks: The applicant understands and agrees that their work of art are loaned and will be exhibited at their own risk and that the University, its Board of Regents, officers, agents, faculty, employees, and volunteers shall not be responsible for loss, theft, or other damage to the works of art being exhibited.
  11. Waiver of Liability: The applicant will assume full responsibility for any loss or damage to their pieces on display and agrees to hold the University, its Board of Regents, officers, agents, faculty, employees, and volunteers harmless of any and all liability, causes of action, debts, claims, or demands of any kind.
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