Martia A. Smith was an artist and scholar who served as an instructor and major contributor to NPC's art program. This scholarship honors her memory by awarding a full scholarship to a highly motivated, academic and artistically talented student. This scholarship honors Martia and her late husband, Louis, who established the scholarship in Martia's name.
This is a full Northland Pioneer College tuition scholarship for the 2025-2026 school year, covering the actual cost of tuition, books and course fees, up to $1,500.00 per semester or $3,000.00 per academic year.
Students awarded the Martia and Louis Smith Memorial Art Scholarship must
- Attend NPC full time (12 cr. hrs per sem) during the 2025-2026 academic year
- Enroll in at least one (3 credit) art class during the 2025-2026 academic year
This scholarship is merit-based and financial need is not a requirement. Students need not be art majors.
Students applying for the Martia and Louis Smith Memorial Art Scholarship must
- Develop and complete a degree plan (See Academic Advisor)
- Demonstrate an affinity for creating artwork
- Possess competent writing skills
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Application materials are required on or before the deadline of February 28, 2025.
- A completed application form. Download (fillable pdf) Instructions are included with the form. Email the application form to magda.gluszek@npc.edu.
- 3 to 5 examples of your artistic work as digital images. Here's a link to a Youtube video about suggestions for how to best photograph artwork: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q40if1ecyB0
Label each image with your first initial, last name, and image number (example: jsmith1.jpg), and email the images to magda.gluszek@npc.edu. - A two-page (1000-word) essay that addresses the applicant's specific interests in art and why he/she believes that art is important in society. Email the essay to magda.gluszek@npc.edu.
- The key to the scholarship essay is that it is a personal narrative, reflecting your experiences and goals. DO NOT USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS, SUCH AS CHAT GPT, to write your essay. It is important that your personal voice come through!
The Exhibition: There will be an exhibition of the artwork during the Annual NPC Juried Student Art Show and an artist reception at the Talon Gallery in the Aspen Center on the White Mountain Campus in Show Low, AZ. Three examples of the scholarship awardee's artwork must be available for display in the exhibition. The physical artworks must be received by the gallery director no later than April 4. Contact magda.gluszek@npc.edu with any questions about this requirement.
Exhibition: April 14 - May 2, 2025, Talon Art Gallery, White Mountain Campus (Show Low)
Artist Reception: May 2, 2025, 4 - 7 PM, Talon Art Gallery, White Mountain Campus (Show Low)
Friends and family members are encouraged to attend!
View Video Tutorial on the Friends & Family Scholarship Process
All application materials must be emailed to:
Magda Gluszek, Faculty
Department of Fine and Performing Arts
magda.gluszek@npc.edu
English faculty will evaluate the essay content and two members of the Fine Arts faculty will evaluate the artwork. A personal interview may also be used to determine the recipient of the award.
