Yeck Education Programs
The Dorothy and Bill Yeck Education Endowment enables The Dayton Art Institute to offer unique educational opportunities that promote and enhance the development of promising artists.
Yeck College Artist Fellowship
Deadline to Apply for 2026: April 1, 2026
Date(s)/time(s): May 25–June 5; 10 AM–5 PM
The Yeck College Artist Fellowship is a two-week studio art and professional development program at the Dayton Art Institute for four studio art students from regional colleges and universities. Selected through a juried portfolio review, it provides professional development opportunities through studio art teaching experiences, mentorship from established museum and arts professionals, and a $1,000 stipend for materials to create artworks for an exhibition at the DAI!
All sophomore, junior and senior students majoring in studio art or art education from colleges in the greater Dayton area are eligible to apply. Graduating seniors with access to studio space can also apply.
Applicants are required to submit:
- Artist statement of no more than 150 words
- Letter of Recommendation: Faculty, community members, arts professionals and/or colleagues preferred.
- Digital Art Portfolio of 5-7 artworks
- File type: PowerPoint or Google Slides (.ppt, .pptx, .gslides)
- The file must be named “Artist last name_yeckyear”. (Click here for template)
- One artwork with title, medium, dimensions and date created per slide. Please contact speck-bartle@daytonart.org if you have any further questions about the program or application process.
*Downloads must be enabled for this website to access the PowerPoint template.
Yeck High School Scholarship
Deadline to Apply for 2026: April 1, 2026
Date(s)/time(s): June 1–June 5; 10 AM–3 PM
The Dayton Art Institute seeks talented high school art students from the greater Dayton area to be considered for the Yeck High School Scholarship program! Chosen through a competitive portfolio process, selected students will be mentored by artists from the Yeck College Artist Fellowship in various advanced processes for creating art. The 2026 program runs June 1–5, from 10 am–3 pm. All art materials will be provided. High school sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible for this program. This program is ideal for any students seeking to further develop their body of work or pursue an arts career with an interest in applying for admission into college art programs.
For consideration, High School students, along with a parent or guardian, must apply through the provided link below.
High School Students, along with a parent, must apply through the provided link below. Applicants are required to provide:
- 1 letter of recommendation from someone outside of their family. (Teachers, community leaders, mentors, etc.)
- 5 examples of their works of art (Submitted in a PowerPoint template found here. File should be labeled “Artist last name_yeckyear”)
- Commit to attending classes during the program timeline
*Downloads must be enabled for this website to access the PowerPoint template.
Dorothy Myers Yeck Middle School Scholarship Studio
Deadline to Apply for 2026: May 1, 2026
Date(s)/time(s): June 15–June 19; 10 AM–5 PM
15 talented Middle School art students from the greater Dayton area are selected for the Dorothy Myers Yeck Middle School Scholarship Studio at the Dayton Art Institute each year. This is a FREE scholarship studio. Nominees are selected through a competitive portfolio process. Selected students will have advanced studio experiences provided by two local Dayton artists, ending with a reception. All art materials will be provided. Middle School students are eligible for this scholarship studio.
For consideration, Middle School students must apply or be nominated through the provided link below. Applicants are required to submit:
- 3 examples of their works of art
- Commit to attending a week-long studio during the program timeline.
Click to jump to the following opportunities:
College Artists
High School Artists
Middle School Artists
YECK COLLEGE ARTIST FELLOWSHIP
Questions? Contact Dr. Shannon Peck-Bartle at speck-bartle@daytonart.org
Click here for Fellowship application
Click here Yeck for Portfolio Template
YECK HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP
Questions? Contact Dr. Shannon Peck-Bartle at speck-bartle@daytonart.org
Click here for Fellowship application
Click here for Portfolio Template
DOROTHY MYERS YECK MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP STUDIO
Questions? Contact Dr. Shannon Peck-Bartle at speck-bartle@daytonart.org
Click here for Scholarship Studio application