<General Information<Financial Services, Scholarships, Bursaries, Awards and Prizes<Scholarships, Bursaries, Awards and Prizes<Bursaries and Awards

Ferdous Akhter Memorial Bursary

Donor: Jesmin Khan

This award was established in memory of Ferdous Akhter, a visual artist who died in 1990. The award is to provide assistance to a student enrolled in a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in visual arts, who is in financial need and demonstrates artistic merit. Recipients must be female students who have shown excellence/promise in studio work.

Juan Antonio Performance Award

This award is dedicated to the memory of Juan Antonio, a dancer/choreographer/teacher who taught at York from 1985-1988. He is remembered for his ability to inspire young dancers and influenced many to pursue a career in performance. The award is for a third- or fourth-year dance student who shows exceptional promise and achievement as a performing artist. Financial need is also a consideration. Selection will be made each spring, and the money will be available as a tuition credit upon registration the following September.

Art History Award

Donor: Professor Barbara Dodge

The Art History Award is given in recognition of excellence in art history to a visual arts student enrolled in second year studies or higher in the BA program. Eligibility criteria include financial need, Canadian citizenship, permanent resident or protected person status and Ontario residency as per OSAP regulations.

Sterling Beckwith Award

Donor: Sterling Beckwith

The Sterling Beckwith Award, established by the Music Department's founding Chair, is open to second- and third-year music majors who demonstrate exceptional promise and ability in performance, superior musicianship and a breadth of cultural and academic interests. Preference is given to students of voice. Recipients must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, be Ontario residents and demonstrate financial need.

Louise Bennett-Coverley Award

Donor: Reggae Canada

Established by Reggae Canada in honour of renowned Jamaican poet, Louise Bennett-Coverley, the award is given to a second- or third-year music major who demonstrates exceptional promise/achievement in world music studies and who is in financial need. Students are invited to apply in the fall of each year.

James Beveridge Bursary

Donor: Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television

This bursary is to honour James A. Beveridge, the founding Chair of the Department of Film & Video at York University and a renowned Canadian documentary filmmaker. This award will be given to the applicant with the best proposal for a documentary film for fourth-year production. Candidates must be third-year students intending to register in fourth-year film production. Financial need will also be a stipulation.

J.P. Bickell Foundation Awards

Donor: J.P. Bickell Foundation

The J.P. Bickell Foundation Awards are open to fine arts students who are engaged in Faculty of Fine Arts projects, courses or programs involving community outreach. Eligibility criteria include financial need, Canadian citizenship, permanent resident or protected person status, and Ontario residency.

The Ronald Bloore Award

Donor: Ronald L. Bloore

The Ronald Bloore Award is given annually to an undergraduate student in excellent academic standing who is enrolled in second or higher year of studies in the Department of Visual Arts. Recipients must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, be Ontario residents and demonstrate financial need. The award was established in honour of noted Canadian artist and York Professor Emeritus Ronald Bloore.

The Ken Carpenter Award

Donor: Dorothy and Irving Schoichet

The Ken Carpenter Award is given in recognition of academic excellence to a visual arts major who is enrolled in at least one half course in art history at the 3000 level and who is in financial need. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

CASA Fine Arts Student Award

Donor: Creative Arts Students Association (CASA)

The CASA Fine Arts Student Award is given annually to a fine arts student demonstrating a strong record of involvement in and positive contribution to student government or departmental, Faculty or York University activities, while maintaining satisfactory progress in his/her studies. Eligibility criteria include financial need, Ontario residency and Canadian citizenship, permanent resident or protected person status. Current members of CASA are not eligible to apply. The award was established by the Creative Arts Students Association (CASA), the student government in the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Chair of Design Scholarship

In honour of the York Chair of Design, this scholarship recognizes exceptional achievement in typography and is given to a BDes student who has successfully completed a minimum of 84 credits. The recipient must demonstrate excellence in typography courses as indicated in his/her academic record; be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person; be an Ontario resident; and demonstrate financial need.

Bill Chan Bursary

Donor: Mr. Bill Chan

The Bill Chan Bursary is given annually to a student in the Faculty of Fine Arts who is in financial need, and who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person and a resident of Ontario as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

Cinespace Studios Film & Video Production Award

Donor: Mr. Steve Mirkopoulos, Mr. Nick Mirkopoulos, Mr. Larry Mirkopoulos and Families

The Cinespace Studios Film & Video Production Award recognizes exceptional artistic merit and achievement demonstrated by a third-year film & video major in financial need, who is returning to fourth-year production studies.

Dance Department Awards

Donor: Friends of the Dance Department

Awards are available to full-time and part-time students in the Dance Department who achieve high grades, consistency in studies and who demonstrate legitimate need for financial assistance.

Dance Education Award

Donor: Professor Mary Jane Warner

The Dance Education Award is given annually to a dance major in the Faculty of Fine Arts who demonstrates exceptional achievement/strength in courses related to dance teaching. Eligibility requirements include completion of at least five courses with a minimum grade of B and financial need. The Dance Education Award reflects the Dance Department's commitment to the training of educators in the field of dance.

Department of Design Scholarship

This scholarship recognizes exceptional achievement in design and is given to a BDes student who has successfully completed a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 83 credits. The recipient must demonstrate excellence in design courses as indicated in his/her academic record; be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person; be an Ontario resident; and demonstrate financial need.

Department of Visual Arts Award

Donor: Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Friends of the Visual Arts Department

The Department of Visual Arts Award is given annually to a visual arts student with a strong academic record who is in financial need. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons and residents of Ontario as per OSAP regulations.

Design Department Alumni Award

Donor: Professor Don Newgren with additional contributions from alumni, faculty, staff and friends from the Design Department and the Faculty of Fine Arts

The Design Department Alumni Award is given to a third-year design major who has a strong academic record and has demonstrable financial need. The recipient must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person and resident of Ontario.

Joseph Drapell Award

Donor: Joseph Drapell and Anna Maclachlan

The Joseph Drapell Award, named in honour of the distinguished Canadian painter, is given annually to one or more visual arts majors in recognition of artistic and academic excellence. Eligible students will be in their second or higher year of study in the BFA program. Recipients must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, be Ontario residents and demonstrate financial need.

Faculty of Fine Arts Bursaries

Donor: Faculty of Fine Arts

Limited funds may be available to fine arts students on the basis of financial need.

Faculty of Fine Arts Opportunity Award

Faculty of Fine Arts Opportunity Awards are open to fine arts majors enrolled in full- or part-time studies in any Fine Arts program, at any year level, who demonstrate exceptional academic and/or artistic achievement or potential and are in financial need. Eligibility criteria include Ontario residency and Canadian citizenship, permanent resident or protected person status.

Film & Video Bursary

Donor: Contributions from alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the Department of Film & Video

The Film & Video Bursary is given annually to a film & video major in good standing who is in financial need. The recipient must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person and an Ontario resident.

Fine Arts Cultural Studies Award

Donor: Professor Joy Cohnstaedt with additional contributions from alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Fine Arts Cultural Studies Program

The Fine Arts Cultural Studies Award is given in recognition of academic excellence to a second- or third-year fine arts cultural studies major. The recipient must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person and resident of Ontario who demonstrates financial need. The award was established by Professor Joy Cohnstaedt, a former coordinator of the FACS Program.

Ella Fitzgerald Award for Jazz Performance

Donor: Dr. Oscar Peterson

The Ella Fitzgerald Award for Jazz Performance is given annually to a third- or fourth-year music student concentrating in jazz studies. Selection/eligibility criteria include artistic excellence and financial need. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

Mira Friedlander Award

Donor: Contributions from family, friends and colleagues of Mira Friedlander

The Mira Friedlander Award recognizes exceptional promise/achievement in theatre studies; theatre writing, criticism, world and/or Canadian theatre studies. Theatre majors who are in financial need and are completing their third year of studies and continuing into fourth year are eligible to apply. The award was established by family, friends and colleagues in memory of theatre critic and writer Mira Friedlander.

Friends of Theatre Bursary

Donor: Faculty, Students and Alumni of the Department of Theatre

The purpose of this award is to provide assistance to theatre majors who are in financial need and who are in good standing in the department. Students who are interested in applying should contact the Department of Theatre.

Jean Gascon Award in Acting

Donor: Professor David Smukler

The Jean Gascon Award in Acting is given annually to a third- or fourth-year theatre major in the acting stream, who has shown outstanding creativity and originality and the ability to work in a wide variety of theatrical forms, as demonstrated in studio and public performance work. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and in financial need. The Jean Gascon Award in Acting was established in honour of the late Jean Gascon, founder of Montreal's Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, co-founder of the National Theatre School, and former artistic director of the Stratford Festival, to commemorate his outstanding work as an actor and director and his enormous contribution to the development of theatre and theatre artists in Canada.

Russell Norman Gladstone Memorial Bursary

Donor: Family of Russell Norman Gladstone

Established in memory of Russell Norman Gladstone, this bursary is offered annually to a mature student in the Faculty of Fine Arts who demonstrates financial need.

GVFX Award

Donor: John Gajdecki

The GVFX Award is given in recognition of outstanding artistic achievement/promise in film and video production to a film & video major proceeding into the fourth year of study in the production stream. Eligibility criteria include financial need, Ontario residency and Canadian citizenship, permanent resident or protected person status. The award has two components: a 10-week paid summer internship in the Toronto studio of GVFX and support towards production costs of the recipient's fourth-year project. GVFX is an award-winning Canadian company offering integrated visual effects services for film and television.

K. Hayano Printmaking Award

Donor: Keiichi Hayano

The K. Hayano Printmaking Award is given each spring to a visual arts major who has demonstrated excellence in printmaking, is currently enrolled in a printmaking course and will be returning to continue studies in the fall. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and in financial need.

Imasco Performing Arts Awards

Donor: Imasco

The Imasco Performing Arts Awards are tuition credits awarded to full-time undergraduate performance majors in the Faculty of Fine Arts in recognition of outstanding ability and achievement in one or more of the performing arts. Applicants must be enrolled in second or third year and returning to continue full-time studies in fine arts. Eligibility criteria include sound academic standing, financial need, Ontario residency and Canadian citizenship, permanent resident or protected person status. The awards were established by Imasco, a diversified Canadian company based in Montreal which takes an active role in supporting excellence in academic endeavours.

Diti Katona, John Pylypczak Award

Donor: Diti Katona

The Diti Katona, John Pylypczak Award, established by York alumna Diti Katona, is given to a third- or fourth-year design student for excellence in design practicum courses. The recipient must also be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person and an Ontario resident who demonstrates financial need.

Konopny-Fischtein Family Award

Donor: Goldie and Harold Konopny

The Konopny-Fischtein Family Award is given annually to a third- or fourth-year visual arts student enrolled in the BA stream and is based on academic excellence. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and in financial need.

Harvey-Marsden Music Award

Donor: Dr. Lorna Marsden

The Harvey-Marsden Music Award, established by York University President Dr. Lorna Marsden, is given in recognition of academic/artistic excellence to a music major in second or higher year of study who has achieved B+ or better in music courses to date. Preference is given to students concentrating in Jazz studies. Recipients must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, be Ontario residents and demonstrate financial need.

Patricia and Robert Martin Award

Donor: Robert Martin

The Patricia and Robert Martin Award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement in an adjudicated performance to a third- or fourth-year student in the classical performance stream in the Department of Music. Eligibility criteria include sound academic standing, financial need, Canadian citizenship or permanent resident/protected person status and Ontario residency.

Donald Newgren Scholarship

Named in honour of York design professor Donald A. Newgren, this scholarship recognizes exceptional achievement in design practicum courses and is given to a BDes student who has successfully completed a minimum of 54 and a maximum of 83 credits, or an MDes student who has successfully completed 21 credits. The recipient must demonstrate exceptional achievement in design practicum courses as indicated in his/her academic record; be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person; be an Ontario resident; and demonstrate financial need.

Louis Odette Sculpture Awards

Donor: Mr. Louis L. Odette

The Louis Odette Sculpture Awards are given annually in recognition of promise and achievement in sculpture. Visual arts majors who have completed at least one half course in sculpture are eligible to apply. Selection/eligibility criteria include sound academic standing and financial need. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

Orpheus Award

Donor: Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Friends of the Music Department

Two Orpheus Awards are given each year for outstanding achievement in adjudicated vocal performance to music majors in the classical performance stream. Eligibility criteria include financial need, Canadian citizenship, permanent resident or protected person status and Ontario residency.

Oscar Peterson Bursary

Bursaries are available to students demonstrating financial need and who are pursuing, or intend to pursue, jazz studies at York University. Preference will be given to students enrolled full-time.

Michael Plexman Award for Creative Innovation

Donor: ICE Group of Companies

This award has been established by the ICE Group of Companies and family and friends in the memory of Michael Plexman, a graduate of the Department of Visual Arts at York University (BFA '83). Applicants must be third- or fourth-year Faculty of Fine Arts students and demonstrate innovation in creative work in visual arts, design, new media or interactive multimedia. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and in financial need.

Cheryl Rosen Memorial Bursary

Donor: Family and Friends of the late Cheryl Rosen

In memory of Cheryl Rosen a bursary is awarded to a needy student in the third or fourth year of study in the Department of Theatre, Faculty of Fine Arts. This is a fall award.

Harry Rowe Bursary

Donor: Mr. H.W.W. Rowe

The Harry Rowe Bursary is open to all meritorious Faculty of Fine Arts students facing acute financial hardship and is intended to enable them to continue their studies. Priority consideration will be given to the needs of students with disabilities and students from groups that have been historically disadvantaged because of race, colour, ancestry and/or ethnic origin. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and in financial need.

Harry W.W. Rowe Arts of the Americas Bursary

Donor: Harry W.W. Rowe

The Harry W.W. Rowe Arts of the Americas Bursary is open to third- and fourth-year visual arts and fine arts cultural studies majors who are in financial need and who demonstrate a strong interest in, and commitment to, the study of the art history, art criticism and/or visual cultures of South, Central and/or North America.

Peggie Sampson Bursaries

Donor: Friends of Peggie Sampson

Bursaries are available to full-time and part-time students in the Music Department, Faculty of Fine Arts, who are in financial need.

Nancy Scoular Underhill Piano Award

Donor: Mr. Bryan Underhill

The Nancy Scoular Underhill Piano Award is given in recognition of exceptional promise and ability in classical piano performance to a second-year music major. Preference will be given to female students. Eligibility criteria include financial need, Canadian citizenship, permanent resident or protected person status and Ontario residency. The award was established in honour of Nancy Underhill by her family and friends.

Sorbara Award in Music

Donor: Gregory Sorbara

The Sorbara Award in Music recognizes outstanding creative achievement in music in the areas of composition, improvisation or sound design. Third-year music majors who are pursuing studies full-time and who will be proceeding into their fourth year of study are eligible to apply for this award. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and in financial need.

Spedding Memorial Award in Dance

The Spedding Memorial Award in Dance is given to a third- or fourth-year dance major for excellence in choreography as demonstrated in the presentation of an original work in public performance in the Dance Department. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons as well as Ontario residents and demonstrate financial need. The award was established in memory of Louise Mary Spedding Feely, Eleanor Margaret Spedding Paterson and Charlotte Jane Spedding Mitchell by their family.

Spedding Memorial Award in Music

The Spedding Memorial Award in Music is given annually to a fourth-year music major in recognition of academic and/or artistic excellence in music. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons as well as Ontario residents and demonstrate financial need. The award was established in memory of Louise Mary Spedding Feely, Eleanor Margaret Spedding Paterson and Charlotte Jane Spedding Mitchell by their family.

Nalini & Tim Stewart Photography Award

Donor: Ms Nalini Stewart

The Nalini & Tim Stewart Photography Award is given to a fourth-year visual arts major for excellent achievement in photography. Eligibility criteria include financial need, Canadian citizen or permanent resident/protected person status and Ontario residency. The award was established by Nalini Stewart, a longtime volunteer in the arts and member of York University's Board of Governors.

Norman Stifani Memorial Award

Donor: Silvana de Bona

The scholarship will be given annually, alternating year to year, to an undergraduate student in the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Arts and an undergraduate student in the Department of Music, Faculty of Fine Arts, who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person; a resident of Ontario; and demonstrates financial need and academic merit. The scholarship within the Faculty of Arts will be given to a third-year political science student who has successfully completed at least 54 credits with a minimum grade point average of 7.5 and is continuing in the honours program. The scholarship within the Faculty of Fine Arts will be given to a music major who has successfully completed at least 24 credits and demonstrates outstanding talent and dedication in the performance of classical music - vocal or instrumental.

Grant Strate Award in Dance

Donor: Contributions from Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Friends of the Department of Dance

The Grant Strate Award in Dance, named for the department's founding Chair, is given annually to an undergraduate dance major in any year of study who shows strength in both studio and academic studies in dance. The eligibility/selection criteria include sound academic standing overall and financial need. The recipient must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person and an Ontario resident.

John M. Tait Award

Donor: Mr. John M. Tait

The John M. Tait Award, established by an alumnus of York University, recognizes exceptional promise/achievement in theatre production. Theatre majors concentrating in production who are in financial need, Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons and Ontario residents are eligible to apply.

Manorama Thakkar Award in Indian Dance

Donor: Menaka Thakkar

The Manorama Thakkar Award in Indian Dance is given in recognition of excellence and achievement in performance or research studies in Indian dance. Both undergraduate and graduate students in dance are eligible to apply, but preference will be given to undergraduate applicants. Selection/eligibility criteria include sound academic standing and financial need. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). The Manorama Thakkar Award in Indian Dance was established by renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer Menaka Thakkar in memory of her mother. The Award is supported through the Manorama and Bhanuchandra Thakkar Endowment Fund.

Menaka Thakkar Award in World Dance

Donor: Menaka Thakkar

The Menaka Thakkar Award in World Dance is given annually to a third- or fourth-year dance student in recognition of excellence and achievement in studio work or academic studies in world dance. Selection/eligibility criteria include sound academic standing and financial need. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons as well as Ontario residents as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). The Menaka Thakkar Award in World Dance was established by Indian classical dancer and choreographer Menaka Thakkar, an adjunct professor in the Department of Dance at York University. The award is supported through the Manorama and Bhanuchandra Thakkar Endowment Fund.

Theatre Department Bursary

Four Theatre Department Bursaries are given annually to theatre majors in good standing who are in financial need. Recipients must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons and residents of Ontario.

Saint Thyagaraja Music Awards

Donor: Bharathi Kala Manram, Canada

Two Saint Thyagaraja Music Awards are presented annually in recognition of artistic and scholarly achievement in Indian classical music studies. One award is given for demonstrated artistic excellence to a student enrolled in performance studies (vocal/instrumental) of Indian classical music. The other award recognizes top standing in the academic study of Indian classical music. Applicants must be undergraduate music majors pursuing full-time studies. Selection/eligibility criteria also include financial need, Canadian citizenship, permanent resident or protected person status and Ontario residency as defined by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

Helen Vari Award (Fine Arts)

Donor: Helen Vari

The Helen Vari Award is given in recognition of outstanding creative or scholarly achievement and overall academic excellence to a third- or fourth-year film & video student. Recipients must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, be Ontario residents and demonstrate financial need. The award was established by Helen Vari, a member of York University's Board of Governors.

Helen Vari Award (Arts)

Donor: Helen Vari

The Helen Vari Award will recognize a graduating student in the Faculty of Arts for their outstanding academic achievement and community service. Financial need will also be considered when selecting the recipient for this award.

Willowdale Group of Artists Award

Donor: Willowdale Group of Artists

The Willowdale Group of Artists Award is a renewable award given annually to a second-year visual arts major in recognition of outstanding achievement in painting. The recipient must have top grades in painting and a 7.0 (B+) average overall and must demonstrate financial need. The award is renewable for two subsequent years, contingent on maintenance of the same high academic standing and particular excellence in painting. Recipients may apply to participate in an exhibition with the Willowdale Group of Artists, a community-based association dedicated to the art of painting.

Tim Whiten Award

Donor: Tim Whiten

The Tim Whiten Award is given for outstanding achievement in studio work to a visual arts major in second or higher year of study in the BFA stream, who demonstrates interest and ability in a wide range of artistic media. Eligibility criteria include financial need, Canadian citizenship, permanent resident or protected person status and Ontario residency. The award is named in honour of York Visual Arts Professor Tim Whiten.