Art Scholarships

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How to Get Art Scholarships for College?

Art scholarships are for creative high school and college students who may qualify. Many accredited colleges and art schools offer art scholarships to students who’ve spent time cultivating their artistic talent. Some look at unmet financial need. Others require letters of recommendation, GPA, test scores and extracurricular activities. If you plan to enroll as a full time student and are a United States citizen or permanent resident, you may qualify.

You should first find scholarships for art at your current school. Your guidance counselor, and faculty in the art department may have scholarship information. Also, local publications may advertise creative art scholarships. Some awards may require your art portfolio or samples. Make sure you showcase a quality piece of art work and shows your passion for art.

10 Art Scholarships for Creative College Students in 2021

There are a wide range of college scholarship opportunities in art and design. To get you started, we curated a list of 10 scholarships for artists for you to check out. If you meet the eligibility rules, apply soon!

  1. Design Circle Scholarship
  2. Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition Scholarship
  3. Stanfield and D’Orlando Art Scholarship 
  4. John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship Fund for Art Education
  5. Lake Design Foundation Scholarship 
  6. Houzz Residential Design Scholarship 
  7. Black Design Leaders Grant
  8. Phil Layton Award of Excellence in the Arts
  9. Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship 
  10. Stop Painting.com Essay Scholarship 

What Scholarships for Art Students Should You Apply for?

Art scholarships for college students often accept applications from a range of artistic majors. There are also awards for those majoring in visual arts, fine arts, graphic design, interior design, printmaking or performing arts. Apply to the ones you may qualify for to improve your odds.

For instance, if you draw/sketch or paint, apply for any drawing scholarship you may find. You may have to stick to a genre but you could show off your drawing skills. 

There are also scholarships for artists tied to ethnicity, gender and race. Are you an artistic African American art student? The CBCF Spouses USA Performing Arts Scholarship may be one for you. Ten qualifying college students each get $3,000. Eligible applicants must have a 2.5 GPA and be a performing arts major. 

Both undergraduate students and graduate students may qualify for the Henry and Chiyo Kuwahara Creative Arts Award. It is from the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). To apply, you need samples of artistic works. These should show the Japanese American culture. 

As a prospective art major, you should also submit a FAFSA to apply for standard financial aid packages. By submitting the FAFSA, you are able to apply for several scholarships for art from two year and four year colleges all at once. 

Check on your college or art school’s website to see what they offer and if there is a separate form to fill out. Many colleges target high school seniors who enter as first time freshman and are renewable if you keep up the terms. Another option are easy scholarships and video or essay contests. You may find ones for creative writing, photography, mass communication, studio art and design.

Is Going to Art School Worth it?

Art school could be worth it at an accredited art program. You may gain more in depth knowledge and discipline from your art major. You may also develop networking opportunities with other artists and professors. There could also be valuable internships and potential career paths. More importantly, art students may learn to build a strong work ethic and dedication to your passion for art.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many careers in arts and design require a bachelor’s degree (or BFA) for entry level roles. Graphic designers, multimedia artists, art directors, educators and some related fields require four year degree.

Also, the cost of a public four year college is on the rise. According to the NCES, the average total cost of attendance was at $24,900 in 2018 to 2019. Private for profit colleges average total cost of attendance was $33,200.

Because an art scholarship is not a loan, it works to make your studies more affordable. Once you graduate, you may have the knowledge and refined skills to go after your dream job. Also, the median annual wage for arts and design occupations was $48,130 in 2019. Salaries in creative fields usually vary.

List of Art Scholarships for College

Check out our list of 13,258 art scholarships worth $51M.

#LiveLikeLyly Memorial Scholarship

The #LiveLikeLyly Memorial Scholarship is available to high school senior or a college student of asian american descent pursuing a career in fashion and or graphic design. Click to learn more and apply today!

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline: May 31, 2023

Gordan Hay Scholarship

The award is designed for special learning opportunities related to the recipient’s career interest in a non-performance area of theater. Examples include but are not limited to professional conferences, seminars, workshops, participation in an unpaid internship program, professional performances, or technology needs. The award will be administered by the Education Department of Blumenthal Performing Arts. To draw from the “award account,” the recipient must submit a simple but formal request to Blumenthal’s Education Department. It is possible for a recipient to utilize the entire award amount within the first year of college or to occasionally draw from the account as opportunities arise within a four-year undergraduate career. If the total amount of the award is not used during the undergraduate experience, the award recipient will not be entitled to a cash settlement upon graduation. Any amount remaining in the award account will be forfeited.

Total: $5000

Awards: 1

Deadline: June 01, 2023

Ocean Awareness Student Contest

This scholarship contest is available for middle school and high school students in the U.S. Applicants must submit an original work of art, poetry, prose, or film that discusses a specific aspect of ocean pollution.

Total: $42000

Awards: 28

Deadline: June 13, 2023

New Mexico Teachers’ Loan-For-Service

The purpose of the Teacher Loan-For-Service program is to proactively address New Mexico’s teacher shortage by providing students with the financial resources to complete or enhance their post-secondary teacher preparation education.

Total: $20000

Awards: 33

Deadline: July 01, 2023

Ian Parry Scholarship

This scholarship competition is open to full-time photography students or photographers who are 24 years of age or younger. Applicants must submit a photo portfolio and a proposed photo story they will shoot if a winner.

Total: $14000

Awards: 4

Deadline: July 15, 2023

Mary Bowman Arts in Activism Award

In May of 2019, the HIV/AIDS world lost its most promising poet, advocate, author, singer and young person living with AIDS, Mary Bowman. Mary was 30 years old. Born with HIV, she lived out her experiences of growing up and living with HIV (and losing a mother to AIDS) through her art. As a young, out woman of color, she was a dynamic, vital voice for the next generation of individuals living with HIV—proud, willing to speak of her own challenges with not just her own health needs (mental health, social support) —but also a fierce advocate for other young people with HIV for whom a voice was lacking. For Mary, the arts gave her the platform and voice to channel her creative energy, her passion, her truth.

Total: $10000

Awards: 2

Deadline: July 16, 2023

WBDI College Scholarship Program

WBDI COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS are given annually to women enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate instrumental music program, with the intent of becoming a band director. Applications are accepted from October 1st through November 1st this year. The Women Band Directors International will award scholarships of various amounts designed to salute the people for whom they are named and to support young women presently preparing to be band directors. Your application must include 2 letters of recommendation, a resume, and a copy of your unofficial transcripts. All files must be submitted with the application for the application to be considered.

Total: $2000

Awards: 4

Deadline: November 01, 2023

Berrien Fragos Thorn Arts Scholarship for Migrant Farmworkers

Students who are 16 years of age or older who are interested in pursuing the development of their talents in an art discipline may apply for this award. Students must have a history of movement to obtain work in agriculture.

Total: $2500

Awards: 10

Deadline: November 01

L. Phil and Alice J. Wicker Scholarship

The L. Phil and Alice J. Wicker Scholarship is for a licensed radio amateur with a general class or higher license who is a resident of and attends college in the ARRL Roanoke Division (North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia). The student must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher in electronics, communications, or related fields.

Total: $500

Awards: 1

Deadline: December 31

SBO Magazine Music Student Scholarship

This contest is open to band students in grades four through twelve who submit an essay of up to 250 words on the current year’s band-related topic.

Total: $1000

Awards: 10

Deadline: December 31

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