Muse Scholar Program

Since 2011, the Hunter College Muse Scholar Program has attracted and supported (with scholarships, mentoring, and a specialized curriculum) academically high-achieving students with talent and passion for the arts. This prestigious program provides Muse Scholars with a strong artistic community, inspiring cultural experiences, and the practical tools and personal network for them to build lasting creative careers.

Each academic year, Hunter selects a cohort of approximately 30 incoming Muse Scholars from high school, who represent some of the college’s best and brightest. First-year Muses study together in a year-long humanities course, “Explorations in the Arts,” that exposes them to myriad artistic forms and institutions in New York's unparalleled cultural landscape through outings to museums and evening performances. The 100+ Muses at the college go on to major, double-major, or minor in arts disciplines including studio art, art history, creative writing, dance, film, music, and theater.

At its core, the Muse Scholar Program:

• Builds a long term, cross-disciplinary artistic community for collaboration and support, and a professional network connecting graduates with opportunities throughout their careers.
• Engages students with a wide variety of cultural forms and institutions, where they may not have felt invited in the past. For many Muses, this is their first time entering the Museum of Modern Art, or seeing a dance concert, and they often return on their own. Workshops outside their chosen fields open unexpected creative paths.
• Provides the tools and experiences necessary to build a post-college artistic career, including opportunities for real-world work experience at prestigious institutions.

Since the first graduating class, the program has graduated 6 valedictorians and 53 salutatorians, as well as museum professionals, entertainment attorneys, concert musicians, art auction specialists, and Emmy award-winning producers.

Your support helps sustain and grow this life-changing program. Philanthropy provides scholarships, funds cultural outings and workshops, and connects students with internships and real-world opportunities at leading arts organizations.

This Giving Day, invest in the next generation of artists, creators, and cultural leaders. Your gift ensures that Muse Scholars continue to thrive. At Hunter and far beyond.