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 scholarship is open to U.S. students who will be high school seniors in the fall of 2015. Students must play a woodwind instrument in their high school band, and must plan to major in music.
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who have cystic fibrosis and an interest in the arts. Click here to learn more and to apply today!
Graduating high school seniors or current undergraduate college students who are residents of Glynn County in Georgia are eligible to apply for this award. Studens must have a strong background and/or course of study in the arts and humanities.
Scholarships are available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a jewelry-related curriculum. Applicants are not required to be Rhode Island residents.
This scholarship is available for currently enrolled U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who have an intention to enter the game industry in some capacity. The student must have a grade point average of 3.3 or higher. Click here to learn more and apply today!
U.S. undergraduate American Indian or Alaskan Natives attending a tribal college are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and must major in math, technology, science, engineering, and/or business.
U.S. high school seniors who intend to study in the field of transportation or a related discipline (e.g., technology, engineering, planning, management) are eligible to apply for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and an active commitment to community service.
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate students who are members of the Navajo Nation tribe (any Shiprock Agency Chapter) and attend school in Arizona or New Mexico. Students must major in any STEM field and have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher.
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students of American Indian or Native Alaskan descent who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students must be interested in a career in media, either in front of or behind the camera; major preferences are journalism, media, broadcasting, entertainment, film, and telecom.
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate students of American Indian or Alaskan Native descent who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and are majoring in math, technology, science, engineering and/or business. Priority is given to students who are studying in or residents of Illinois, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia.
