HAS Scholarship Competition

Our annual scholarship competition highlights creativity and collaboration.

This fun, collaborative, team-building art challenge allows a select group of accepted students to showcase their creative skills in a small group while experiencing the rigor and community of the Hartford Art School first-hand. Students are selected based on merit, portfolio review (if applicable), and following their acceptance to the University, are invited to participate in the early Spring event.

During this special day, we choose three students to receive Full Tuition Scholarship awards, replacing your current offer. These awards renew automatically for four years based on full-time status and grade point average. All other participants receive an additional $1,000 per year in financial aid for taking part in the challenge.

The sections below provide a snapshot of what to expect in the scholarship competition. We encourage you to review this page to answer questions you might have regarding the competition and for other tips that might be useful.

For questions, or to cancel your registration, please email artschool@hartford.edu .

Please be aware that participation requires your full attendance on Saturday, March 7, 2026. You must arrive on time to Wilde Auditorium at the Harry Jack Gray Center, and allow enough time for parking and walking to our starting location, no later than 8 a.m. and remain through the end of the event. Any participant arriving late will not be allowed to compete. Please plan your time accordingly. Thank you for your cooperation!

Our challenges vary each year. Once you have arrived at the challenge, you will be assigned to a team and work collaboratively to present a solution to the challenge by creating a work of art. All materials and supplies will be provided.

Student Schedule:

8 a.m. Wilde Auditorium, Harry Jack Gray Center. Registration, coffee, tea and light breakfast. Students meet their teammates and begin brainstorming.

8:30 a.m. Students and Guests are welcomed and receive instructions for the challenge event. Students and guests separate - Students are escorted to HAS to begin their challenge.

9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Students participate in the challenge

12:30 p.m. Students' lunch at the Commons

1:30 p.m. Students escorted to Wilde Auditorium

1:45 p.m. Student competition presentations

3:15 p.m. Closing remarks at the Joseloff Gallery

3:30 p.m. Hartford Art School facility tour or University student life tour

Parent Schedule:

8 a.m. Wilde Auditorium, Harry Jack Gray Center. Registration, coffee, tea and light breakfast. Students meet their teammates and begin brainstorming.

8:30 a.m. Students and Guests are welcomed and receive instructions for the challenge event. Students and guests separate - Students are escorted to HAS to begin their challenge.

9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Hartford Art School Presentation: Robert Calafiore

10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. UHart Admission and Financial Aid Presentation: Roxy Ryan

11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Art History Presentation: Joy Pepe, Professor of Art History

12 p.m. Light lunch at Gengras Cafeteria, or full lunch as the Commons Dining Hall

1:30 p.m. Guests return to Wilde Auditorium

1:45 p.m. Student competition presentations

3:15 p.m. Closing remarks at the Joseloff Gallery

3:30 p.m. Hartford Art School facility tour or University student life tour