$120,000 Investment Empowers 12 Emerging Artists at the School of Art

The University of Arkansas School of Art and the Windgate Foundation are enhancing how educational institutions support artists beyond graduation. Through continued investment from the Windgate Foundation, 12 graduating students and recent alumni from the School of Art in Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences have each been awarded $10,000 Windgate Accelerator Grants to launch or expand their professional studio practices, paired with ongoing faculty mentorship.

This year’s $120,000 investment – part of the Windgate Foundation’s 3-year grant award of $423,000 to the School of Art – addresses one of the most critical phases of an artist’s career: the first year after graduation. In addition to financial support, recipients receive individualized mentorship from faculty across the School of Art and the broader University of Arkansas System, equipping them to sustain creative momentum and build viable long-term careers.

2026 Windgate Accelerator Grant Recipients

Bachelor of Fine Arts students:
Jaden Bennett
Halle Hardin
V Huff
Austin Hughes
Jonathan Mendez
Brianna Ifland

Master of Fine Arts students and graduates:
Dillon Bryant
Serena Caffrey
Arden Carlson
August Lantz
Drew Nikonowitz
Caite Ramos

Applications were reviewed by a national jury comprising Arnold Kemp, professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and former dean of graduate studies; Kate Mothes, independent arts writer; and Barb Smith, professional artist.

“The Windgate Accelerator Grant is an opportunity of rare caliber for recent graduates to jump-start the next phase of learning and their careers,” the jurors said in a joint statement. “We were impressed by the proposals’ emphasis on community impact and collaboration, as well as the diversity of media represented. It was a pleasure to review such ambitious and forward-thinking plans for the future.”

“This program exemplifies our commitment to preparing artists not only for creative excellence, but for the realities of building impactful careers,” said Rachel Debuque, director of the School of Art. “Few art programs in the country provide this level of post-graduation support, and we are deeply grateful to the Windgate Foundation for their continued investment in our students’ futures.”

The Windgate Accelerator Grants support a range of professional development activities, including the creation of new work, research travel, residencies, exhibition preparation, and graduate school applications while also helping artists secure studio space and essential equipment.

Ambrin Ling, assistant professor of art and grant coordinator, noted that the program is designed to support artists as they transition from academic study to professional practice through sustained financial and educational resources.

Bethany Springer, professor of art and co-coordinator of the program, emphasized the long-term impact of the funding. “These grants address a real challenge emerging artists face after graduation: the need for seed funding to maintain momentum. The Windgate Foundation’s investment allows our graduates to continue developing the ambitious work they began at the U of A and to define the trajectory of their careers.”

The School of Art is a key partner with Windgate Foundation, which has included the accelerator grant project along with development of the Windgate Art + Design District, located in the heart of south Fayetteville. The district is currently home to the School of Art’s Sculpture Building and the Studio + Design Center, a central hub for student and faculty artists and designers.

To complete the district, a new Gallery and Foundations Building that is now under construction will house the school’s public galleries, innovative labs, collaborative maker spaces and the Foundations program.

“The Windgate Foundation is proud to support the University of Arkansas School of Art in providing meaningful, sustained resources to artists at a pivotal moment in their careers,” said Patricia Forgy, executive director at Windgate Foundation. “By combining financial support with mentorship, the Windgate Accelerator Grant helps emerging artists build the skills, confidence, and momentum needed to establish long-term, impactful practices.”

The Windgate Accelerator program, and the generous support from the foundation as a whole, exemplify the School of Art’s commitment to sustaining artists beyond the classroom, providing a durable framework for professional growth as emerging artists launch their careers in Arkansas and beyond.

For more about the School of Art, visit art.uark.edu.

About the School of Art: Housed in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the University of Arkansas School of Art offers undergraduate degrees and tuition-free graduate programs in art education, art history, graphic design and studio art, including ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture. Formerly the Department of Art, the School of Art was established in 2017 following a transformative $120 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation. With additional support from the Windgate Foundation, the School of Art developed the Windgate Art and Design District, providing state-of-the-art facilities and strong partnerships with regional arts institutions. Learn more at art.uark.edu.

Windgate Foundation, based in Little Rock Arkansas, is a private foundation established in 1993 whose purpose is to advance contemporary craft and strengthen visual arts education in the United States. Education, health, and community initiatives are an additional area of focus in Arkansas. www.windgatefoundation.org.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas’ economy  through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.