UA, Windgate Foundation award 12 grants to art school grads

The University of Arkansas School of Art, with support from Little Rock-based Windgate Foundation, provided 12 graduating students and recent alumni each with a $10,000 Windgate Accelerator Grant to help them launch or expand their professional studio practices, according to a news release.

The 12 recipients will also receive ongoing faculty mentorship. The $120,000 investment is part of the Windgate Foundation’s $423,000, three-year grant awarded to the School of Art in August 2025.

Following are the 2026 Windgate Accelerator Grant recipients who are bachelor of fine arts students:
• Jaden Bennett
• Halle Hardin
• V Huff
• Austin Hughes
• Jonathan Mendez
• Brianna Ifland

Following are the 2026 Windgate Accelerator Grant recipients who are master of fine arts students and graduates:
• Dillon Bryant
• Serena Caffrey
• Arden Carlson
• August Lantz
• Drew Nikonowitz
• Caite Ramos

Grant 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.”

The grant program supports a range of professional development activities, including the creation of new work, research travel, residencies, exhibition preparation, graduate school applications, and securing studio space and equipment.

“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.”