VLM Arts Award

“We need more artists and more creatives in this world.” — Victoria McCallum BFA ’12 (Painting & Drawing)

Victoria McCallum BFA ’12 (Painting & Drawing) is a proud alum who truly epitomizes the spirit of UArts’ creative collaboration across traditional boundaries. She is an active duty staff sergeant for the U.S. Army National Guard, co-owner and president of Na’toria Marketing & Design Solutions, a world traveler, and a dabbler in real estate. Most importantly, though, she is “always a creative first.”

Now, McCallum can add philanthropist to her list of attributes. When the opportunity to provide support for students arose, she jumped at the chance to pay it forward and enhance the student experience. 

During her time at UArts, she was the recipient of the W.W. Smith Scholarship, the Voila Foulke Scholarship, and the Stuart Egnal Prize. She said that the funds from those awards were a breath of fresh air when she felt like she was “suffocating under a mountain of financial responsibilities and educational expectations.” 

McCallum established the VLM Arts Award in support of Black students pursuing visual arts. (VLM are her initials.) McCallum’s aim in establishing this award is to provide students with a little bit of relief, so they can pursue their UArts degrees knowing that strangers are rooting for them. “We need more artists and more creatives in this world,” she said. 

The inaugural recipient was Fine Arts major Mukhtar Stones, who was humbled and somewhat overwhelmed when he learned he had received the 2021 VLM Arts Award. Because of this gift, he feels more confident that he can continue to cultivate his craft. “My goal isn’t just to graduate, but [also] to learn more about myself as an artist,” Stones said. 

By paving the way for the next generation of UArtists, McCallum’s generosity affirms that creativity is not only essential for success but also the catalyst for economic and social change in today’s society.

Every gift makes a difference for our students. Interested donors can support students like Stones with a gift of any amount to our general scholarship fund.

For more information about establishing a named scholarship, contact Zac Joseph, senior director of development, at zjoseph@uarts.edu