Are you seeking advanced study in architecture, art, dance, landscape architecture, music, theatre, or urban and regional planning? We invite you to apply for the Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship. 

Three major fellowships are awarded:

• one of up to $20,000 in any field of music
• one of up to $20,000 in architectural design and history, art and design, theatre, dance, or instrumental or vocal music
• one of up to $9,000 in art, architecture, dance, landscape architecture, theatre, or urban and regional planning

Up to three additional Fellowships of lesser amounts may also be granted upon Committee recommendations.

The Fellowships are to be used by the recipients toward defraying the expenses of advanced study in America or abroad. 

The fellowships are to be used by the recipients toward defraying the expenses of advanced study in the United States or abroad. The fellowships are open to graduates of the College of Fine and Applied Arts of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and to graduates of similar institutions of equal educational standing whose principal or major studies have been in the fields of architecture, art, dance, landscape architecture, music, theatre, and urban and regional planning.

Although there is no age limitation for applicants, other factors being equal, preference will be given to applicants who have not reached their 25th birthday.

The Fellowship is open to graduates of the College of Fine and Applied Arts of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and to graduates of similar institutions of equal educational standing whose principal or major studies have been in one of the following fields:

• Architecture—Design or History;
• Art—all branches;
• Dance—Choreography, Performance, Performance/Choreography;
• Landscape Architecture— History, Culture and Heritage, Sustainable Design, or Design Theory and Practice;
• Music—all branches;
• Theatre—Acting, Design, Playwriting, or Theatre Research/History;
• Urban and Regional Planning—all branches.

A Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Art, Dance, Landscape Architecture, Music, Theatre, or Urban and Regional Planning is required.

Although there is no age limitation for applicants, with other factors being equal, preference will be given to applicants who are under twenty-five years of age.

*International students are eligible for this scholarship*

Fellowships will be awarded on the basis of unusual promise in the fine arts as attested by

• high attainment in the applicant's major field of study as evidenced by academic marks and quality of work submitted or performed
• high attainment in related cultural fields as evidenced by academic marks
• the character, merit, and suitability of the program proposed by the applicant
• excellence of personality, seriousness of purpose, and good moral character

While receiving a stipend from the Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship, recipients are precluded from holding appointments as instructors, lecturers, or faculty members but may hold other remunerative employment with advance approval of the fellowship committee.

• senior
• graduate

• US Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• International or Other Visa Status
• Undocumented

Work samples/portfolios are required as part of the application. Format and other requirements vary by field, so please see the application form for complete details.

Please note: Examples of work will not be returned, so please submit only copies of requested work with your application that cannot be returned. The Committee will judge the scope and quality of professional development and evidence of unusual promise by means of examples of the candidate’s work, resume, transcripts of courses taken for credit at educational institutions, and three substantiating letters from competent scholars with whom the candidate has studied. The application, letters of reference, transcripts, resume, and examples of work should be on file with the Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship Committee no later than the deadline.

Applicants are expected to pay packing and shipping charges for all materials submitted in fulfillment of this requirement. All materials and all containers should be clearly labeled with applicant name and address. A descriptive list of the work should accompany all submissions.

All applicants will be notified of the Committee’s decision, if possible via email, around June 1, when the winner(s) will be announced.

Kate Neal Kinley possessed a keen interest in music and performance throughout her life. As a young woman growing up in Ohio, she studied music, and at the University of Illinois helped to found the Alpha Chi Omega sorority in 1899 and, served as an honorary member of the Champaign Art Club.

Upon her death in 1931, David Kinley created the Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship to promote advanced study in the fine arts. This fellowship not only reflected President Kinley’s earlier appointment as Dean of the College of Literature and Arts, but more importantly, acknowledged Mrs. Kinley’s persistent dedication to the arts on the University of Illinois campus. The first award was made in 1932. Its continuance today is due to the Kinley’s original gift and to the dedication of family members. The Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship is partially funded by the John Robert Gregg Fund at Community Funds, Inc., and The New York Community Trust.

All questions should be directed to 217-333-1660 or faa@illinois.edu.