Scholarships have long been central to MICA’s mission of making art and design education accessible to talented students. That commitment stretches back to the 19th century, when the Institute appealed to the community to help underwrite the tuition of needy students and encouraged charitable bequests to establish named scholarships. Early donors, including piano manufacturer William Knabe, and collector Charles J. M. Eaton helped build that tradition of giving. In the 20th century, scholarship opportunities expanded through initiatives such as the Henry Walters Traveling Fellowship, established in 1929, and later through merit-based programs like the Thalheimer Merit Scholarships, first awarded in 1980. In the 1970s, a Ford Foundation challenge grant of more than $200,000 further strengthened scholarship support for students.

That legacy continues to shape students’ lives today.  Joseph “Joe” Taylor ’25, a General Fine Arts student from New Orleans, says scholarship support allowed him to focus on his creative growth and feel recognized for his artistic potential.  ND Stevenson ’13, now an acclaimed creator and showrunner, credits scholarships including the MICA Alumni Association Scholarship, Neil H. ’17 & Sayra Meyerhoff Endowed Scholarship, and Stuart B. Cooper ’72 Endowed Scholarship with helping make his MICA education possible.  William Grimm ’19, a Fiber graduate and first-generation college student, was supported by scholarships including the Fanny Blaustein Thalheimer Scholarship, the Fred H. ’14 & Jonna Lazarus Endowed Fund for Scholarships, the Betty Cooke ’46 Scholarship, and the Harriet ’67 and Philip E. Klein Scholarship.

Behind these student stories are donors whose generosity continues to open doors. Alumni and trustee Amy Brusselback ’94 established the Marion Brusselback Endowed Scholarship in honor of her grandmother, reflecting her belief that creative students should be empowered to thrive.  Nannette Blinchikoff, former president of the Maryland Arts Equity Foundation, helped extend scholarship access to generations of young artists through MAEF’s eventual merger with MICA.  David Hart, former director of Alumni & Parent Relations, created the Joseph J. Costa, MD, and Janet F. Scholes Memorial Scholarship Endowment to support students with financial need who are interested in travel, reinforcing his belief in opportunity, access, and broadening students’ horizons. Together, these donors and recipients reflect a defining truth about MICA: scholarships do more than fund an education; they invest in artists, voices, and futures.