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 2024

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 $51,150 in 2022. Salaries in creative fields usually vary.

List of Art Scholarships for College

Check out our list of art scholarships worth .

‘Pennies for Art’ Scholarship

This scholarship is available for Massachusetts high school seniors. Applicants must submit a portfolio with three original pieces of art.
Award Amount

Total: $500

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: March 01

GFWCM Memorial Education Fund Fellowship for Physician’s Assistants

This award is available for Massachusetts residents who are pursuing a graduate degree to pursue a career as a physician’s assistant.
Award Amount

Total: $500

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: March 01

Iowa Scholarship for the Arts

This scholarship is available for Iowa students who have graduated this year and will be attending an Iowa college. Students must have proven artistic ability in dance, literature, music, theatre, traditional arts, or the visual arts, and major in one of those areas.
Award Amount

Total: $1500

Awards: 4

Deadline

Deadline: March 01

Lois Livingston McMillen Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is open to incoming and current female undergraduate students who reside in the Connecticut Community Foundation’s 21-town service area. Students must have a grade point average of B- (2.75) or higher, and must pursue an artistic career (preference to those pursuing painting and design).
Award Amount

Total: $2216

Awards: 3

Deadline

Deadline: March 15

Jane T. Anderson Scholarship

The Jane T. Anderson Scholarship is available for a graduating senior from a public high school in Lincoln, Nebraska. Students must major in art, art history or museumology and demonstrate academic performance, artistic talent and intention to continue their education.
Award Amount

Total: $600

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: March 15

Haymarket Gallery Emerging Artists Scholarship

The Haymarket Emerging Artists Scholarship is available to current graduating seniors or former graduates of a Lincoln/Lancaster County public or private high school, or a current college student residing in Lincoln/Lancaster County, Nebraska.
Award Amount

Total: $450

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: March 15

San Clemente High School Math, Science, and Arts Scholarship

This award is for high school seniors from San Clemente High School in California who plan to study math, science, or art at an accredited four-year university or college.
Award Amount

Total: $3000

Awards: 10

Deadline

Deadline: March 15

Unitil Scholarship

This scholarship is available for high school seniors who reside and attend school in Unitil’s service territory in Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire. The student must major in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) field.
Award Amount

Total: $5000

Awards: 5

Deadline

Deadline: March 15

Jessica Lynn Herman Memorial Scholarship

This award is for graduating high school seniors who attend a high school in the Huntington Beach High School District. Must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate an interest in sciences and humanities.
Award Amount

Total: $2500

Awards: 10

Deadline

Deadline: March 15

McMurry University Fine Arts Award for Incoming Freshmen

U.S. graduating high school seniors who plan to enroll in a fine arts program at McMurry University in Texas are eligible for this award.
Award Amount

Total: $10000

Awards: 10

Deadline

Deadline: March 15