Sculpture
Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable sculptural processes originally used carving (the removal of material) and modelling (the addition of material, as clay), in stone, metal, ceramics, wood and other materials but, since Modernism, there has been an almost complete freedom of materials and process. A wide variety of materials may be worked by removal such as carving, assembled by welding or modelling, or molded or cast.
Sculpture in stone survives far better than works of art in perishable materials, and often represents the majority of the surviving works (other than pottery) from ancient cultures, though conversely traditions of sculpture in wood may have vanished almost entirely. However, most ancient sculpture was brightly painted, and this has been lost.
Sculpture has been central in religious devotion in many cultures, and until recent centuries large sculptures, too expensive for private individuals to create, were usually an expression of religion or politics. Those cultures whose sculptures have survived in quantities include the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean, India and China, as well as many in Central and South America and Africa.
The Western tradition of sculpture began in ancient Greece, and Greece is widely seen as producing great masterpieces in the classical period. During the Middle Ages, Gothic sculpture represented the agonies and passions of the Christian faith. The revival of classical models in the Renaissance produced famous sculptures such as Michelangelo's David. Modernist sculpture moved away from traditional processes and the emphasis on the depiction of the human body, with the making of constructed sculpture, and the presentation of found objects as finished art works.
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Matching Sculpture Colleges
Virginia Commonwealth University
Four or more years; Public; $32,742 average out-state tuition; $12,094 average in-state tuition |
Rhode Island School of Design
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $55,220 average out-state tuition; $55,220 average in-state tuition |
Maryland Institute College of Art
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $50,160 average out-state tuition; $50,160 average in-state tuition |
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Four or more years; Public; $26,630 average out-state tuition; $1,030 average in-state tuition |
Yale University
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $59,950 average out-state tuition; $59,950 average in-state tuition |
University of Houston
Four or more years; Public; $20,877 average out-state tuition; $8,685 average in-state tuition |
Savannah College of Art and Design
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $38,340 average out-state tuition; $38,340 average in-state tuition |
Scholarships for Sculpture Majors
Beinecke Scholarship - Dartmouth CollegeDartmouth College |
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award $34,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Beinecke Scholarship is open to juniors at Dartmouth College who plan to enter a master's or doctoral program in the arts, humanities or social sciences. You must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Marian Islands and demonstrate financial need to qualify for this award. In addition,... View Scholarship Details |
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Nancy Shaw McKee ScholarshipClarion University of Pennsylvania, College of Arts and Sciences |
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award Up to $22,030 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Nancy Shaw McKee Scholarship is available to majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences at Clarion University. Your selection for this award will be based on academic performance and financial need. In order to be considered for this award, you must first be nominated by a faculty member. Once nominated, you will need to submit a "Goals... View Scholarship Details |
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Alfred University Art Portfolio Review ScholarshipAlfred University |
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award Up to $21,000 |
deadline February 01, 2026 |
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DescriptionThe Art Portfolio Review Scholarship is available to full - time entering freshmen and transfer students enrolled in the School of Art and Design at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. View Scholarship Details |
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Sturgis FellowshipUniversity of Arkansas |
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award $20,000 |
deadline February 01, 2026 |
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DescriptionThe Sturgis Fellowship is available to incoming freshmen who plan on majoring in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. You must demonstrate exceptional academic performance to be considered for this renewable award. In addition, you must have a minimum 30 ACT/1320 SAT score and a minimum 3.8 GPA to be... View Scholarship Details |
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Fine Arts Fellowship - Wabash CollegeWabash College |
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award Up to $15,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Fine Arts Fellowship is open to students attending Wabash College and studying visual arts, creative writing, music or theater. The requirements for applying vary with each field. This scholarship is renewable annually, provided you maintain normal progress towards graduation. View Scholarship Details |
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Arts and Music Scholarship - Rhodes CollegeRhodes College |
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award Up to $12,500 |
deadline February 15, 2026 |
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DescriptionThe Arts and Music Scholarship is available to entering freshmen at Rhodes College. You must plan to major or minor in art, music, or theatre to be eligible for this award. Music and theatre applicants must audition and art applicants must submit slides. View Scholarship Details |
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Nordan Fine Arts Program Award - Texas Christian UniversityTexas Christian University |
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award $10,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Nordan Fine Arts Program Award is open to students at Texas Christian University. You must demonstrate exceptional talent in art, ballet, modern dance, music or theatre to be eligible for this award. View Scholarship Details |
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MFA Provost's Graduate FellowshipUniversity of Central Florida |
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award $10,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Provost's Graduate Fellowship is available to first year graduate students at the University of Central Florida. You must be newly enrolling in one of UCF’s Master of Fine Arts programs to be eligible for this award. View Scholarship Details |
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Art Scholarship - Young Harris CollegeYoung Harris College |
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award Up to $8,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Art Scholarship is open to entering freshmen at Young Harris College. You must be an art major and demonstrate outstanding artistic ability. Written recommendations and on-campus interviews are required and surveys of your portfolio will be conducted. You must maintain a "C" average each semester to retain your award for both the freshman... View Scholarship Details |
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Honors Scholarship - Bethel College, KansasBethel College - Kansas |
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award $7,500 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Honors Scholarship is available to incoming freshman students at Bethel College, Kansas, who demonstrate outstanding ability in chemistry, history, psychology, business, or art. View Scholarship Details |
Sculpture Related Majors
- Graphic Design
- Photography
- Music
- Music Performance
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Cinematography and Film/Video Production
- Interior Design
- Fashion/Apparel Design
- Film/Cinema/Media Studies
- Dance
- Acting
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts
- Music Theory and Composition
- Art
- Illustration
- Art History, Criticism and Conservation
- Design and Applied Arts
- Game and Interactive Media Design