School Notes: School of Art
July/August 2026

Auction benefits scholarship fund

Auction house Sotheby’s and the Yale School of Art came together in May to present a benefit auction in support of a major long-term initiative to expand access to arts education. This collaboration marked a rare partnership between a leading university and an international auction house, grounded in a common goal: to strengthen access to artistic training at one of the world’s most influential art schools. All proceeds from the sale were directed to the Yale School of Art Dean’s Scholarship Fund, contributing to an ongoing effort to build endowed resources that support students over time.

Graphic design scholarship memorializes two alumni

In 2024, we tragically lost Alexandra Hays ’10MFA and Brian Watterson ’11MFA, two remarkable individuals and beloved members of our design community. Over the past year, the School of Art has been collaborating with Brian’s and Alex’s families and fellow alumni Zak Klauck, Keri Bronk, and Lauren Francescone (all graphic design ’11MFA) to establish a scholarship in their memory. The school began fundraising in February, with the goal of raising $100,000 by June 1, 2026. On March 30—a full two months early—we achieved our goal. Now, the Hays Watterson Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to an MFA student in graphic design to assist with tuition and living expenses, with the fund’s value growing over time. More information is available on the scholarship website.