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!
Design Circle Scholarship
Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition Scholarship
Stanfield and D’Orlando Art Scholarship
John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship Fund for Art Education
Lake Design Foundation Scholarship
Houzz Residential Design Scholarship
Black Design Leaders Grant
Phil Layton Award of Excellence in the Arts
Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship
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.
This award is available for high school seniors in Monroe, Ohio who plan to major in music or performing arts at an accredited college or university in the U.S. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. college juniors, seniors, and graduate students who are enrolled in a program related to the coated paper and paperboard or the graphic arts industries. Students must be student members of TAPPI or a TAPPI student chapter, if available, and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
This scholarship is available for graduating seniors in Greene County, TN and Greenville High School in Greenville, TN. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must plan to major in fine art, commercial design, or digital media.
This scholarship program is open to U.S. and international students who are incoming freshmen or transfers at Pacific University. Students must plan to participate in theatre or applied theatre at Pacific University, and must audition to be considered for a scholarship.
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Lynn County, Iowa who demonstrate academic achievement and financial need. Preference is given to students majoring in government, political science, engineering, or music, and students who are attending a college or university in Iowa.
This award is available for U.S. students who are residents of Kent County, Michigan. Applicants must be majoring in music at the undergraduate or graduate level and maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
This award is available for Kent County, Michigan residents who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in pating or other fine arts. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher and demonstrate unmet financial need.
The Mildred E. Troske Music Scholarship is available for U.S. students who reside in Kent County, Michigan and study music at the undergraduate level. To be eligible for this award, applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need.
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are residents of Kent County, Michigan. Applicants must be studying applied or fine art at one of the following local colleges: Aquinas, Calvin, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College, or Kendall. Selection is based on academic performance and demonstrated financial need.
