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Scholarships

Top 20 Art Scholarships in 2021

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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria's interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

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Updated: December 17th, 2021

Think that all the "good" scholarships are for academics, sports, or volunteering? Think again, creative artists! The following list is a drop in the old paint bucket, as there are as many scholarships as there are mediums of art. A few of the art scholarships require essays, some involve Duck Tape, and some ask for an artist's portfolio, but all are worth a look.

These scholarships for artists are also a great way to prove that your artistic skills stand out from the crowd!

Jump ahead to:

Top art scholarships
College-specific art scholarships
Frequently asked questions
Summary of scholarships for artists
Upcoming scholarships

The famous French artist Henri Matisse once said that "Creativity takes courage." Obviously, you already have the courage to create, so now take it a step further and apply for a few scholarships.

Top art scholarships in 2021

$20,000 Terry Crews "Creative Courage" Scholarship

Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students with artistic goals
Amount: $20,000
Deadline: January 12, 2022

$10,000 Isaac Yunhu Lee Memorial Arts Scholarship

Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students with artistic goals
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: April 14 , 2022

$1,483 Anne DiSerafino Memorial Arts Scholarship

Eligibility: Female artists pursuing an education in fine arts at 4-year college or universities
Amount: $1,483
Deadline: April 10, 2022

$1,500 Devin Chase Vancil Art and Music Scholarship

Eligibility: High school or undergraduate students planning to/already pursuing art and/or music major(s)
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: February 23, 2022

$500 Artists and Writers in the Community Scholarship

Eligibility: Writer or artists who have an Associate's degree and are pursuing a BA or MFA
Amount: $500
Deadline: March 31, 2022

Innovation in Education Scholarship

Eligibility: Low-income junior and senior high school or undergraduate students planning to or currently attending art school
Amount: $500
Deadline: The 20th of each month

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Eligibility:Scholarships are open to students ages 13 and up in grades 7 through 12. Public/private school and homeschooled students in the U.S., Canada, or American schools worldwide are welcome to apply.
Amount: $1500 to $10,000
Deadline: December 1, 2021

Young Filmmakers Contest

Eligibility: Students in grades 3 up through age 25 who submit films of 3 to 8 minutes about our earth and sustainability
Amount: $200 to $2,000
Deadline: January 9, 2022

Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship

Eligibility: Open to students between the ages of 16 and 26 who submit a video entry about their life's passion
Amount: $5,000 to $25,000 per year
Deadline: January 11, 2022

John Lennon Scholarships

Eligibility: Current student or alumnus/alumna at a U.S. college or university between the ages of 17 and 24 who submit an original song in any genre
Amount: $20,000 (three will be awarded!)
Deadline: February 4, 2022

Christophers' Poster Contest

Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 through 12
Amount: $100 to $1,000
Deadline: February 17, 2022

Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest

Eligibility: This scholarship is open to all high school, college, and university students
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: March 2, 2022

Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest

Eligibility: Any student in grades 9-12 in the United States
Amount: Up to $31,000
Deadline: March 31, 2022

Frame my Future Scholarship

Eligibility: High school seniors planning to enroll as a full-time students and current undergraduate/graduate students at U.S.colleges and universities
Amount: $6,000, $2,500, $1,000, and $500 scholarships are awarded, and every winner receives a custom frame!
Deadline: April 1, 2022

Greater Than Gatsby Annual Scholarship

Eligibility: High school seniors accepted to college, undergraduate and graduate students in the USA
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: May 1, 2022

Ocean Awareness Contest

Eligibility: Students ages 11 to 18 who create a work of art in their chosen genre, including visual art, film, music, poetry, prose, and interactive and multimedia
Amount: Scholarships worth from $100 to $1,500
Deadline: June 13, 2022

Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award

Eligibility: Full-time students between the ages of 8–18
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: September 3, 2021, November 15 , 2021, January 10, 2022, April 8, 2022
*High school seniors must apply by Nov. 15, 2021.

GraphicDesignDegreeHub.com Creativity Scholarship

Eligibility: High school seniors accepted to college and undergraduate students in the USA majoring in Graphic Design
Amount:$1,500
Deadline: July 31, 2022

Interpretive Fellowships at Art Museums

Eligibility: Graduates of B.A., M.A., or Ph.D.programs in art history, art education, studio art or museum studies
Amount: $30,000
Deadline: April 1st of each year

College-Specific Art Scholarships

Always check in with your college or university (or colleges you are interested in) for art scholarship opportunities. Many colleges award scholarships for students with particular talents in the arts.

Generally, college-specific scholarships for art require students to submit a portfolio, which will be the central part of your application for an artistic scholarship.

Here are some colleges and universities that offer specific art scholarships:

Denison University (Granville, OH)

Denison offers the Michele Myers Fellowship in the Arts for talented visual artists.

Drew University (Madison, NJ)

The Drew Scholarship for the Arts is worth $1,000 per year over four years.

Kenyon College (Gambier, OH)

Kenyon offers scholarships worth $15,000 per year renewable to studio artists.

Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX)

SMU offers scholarships to artists that vary in scholarship amount. However, the average scholarship is $5,000 per year.

St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN)

St. Olaf offers talent-based scholarships to artists that are valued at $6,000 per year renewable.

Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)

Wake Forest offers scholarships valued at $64,000, which equals $8,000 per semester, renewable for eight semesters of undergraduate study (20 scholarships are awarded each year)

Frequently asked questions about art scholarships

How do you get a scholarship for art?

A great first place to start is this list! We have vetted all of the art scholarships listed here to ensure that they are great opportunities for art students. You should also check the websites of each institution that you are interested in. For example, Kenyon College offers a $15,000-per-year scholarship to some studio art applicants.

If you're looking for an art scholarship, it's also a good idea to get a portfolio in order. This guide contains advice from professors and art graduates who tell you exactly how to make your portfolio pop out to admissions officers. Remember to work both on your pieces and your artist statements.

Another great idea for art students is to look into local scholarships. Smaller scholarships like these typically have less applicants, and therefore each student has a better chance of winning. Try talking to your guidance counselor or consult community resources to find opportunities.

Does FAFSA cover art school?

In short, yes! You can use FAFSA funding, such as the Pell Grant and federal student loans, for any accredited undergraduate institution in the United States. If you are applying to a graduate art program, you won't be able to use the Pell Grant or Stafford Loans, but you can take out unsubsidized or PLUS loans.

Also see:Do I have to pay back FAFSA money?

Can you use Pell Grants to pay for art school?

As long as your art school is an accredited undergraduate institution, you can use Pell Grants to pay for it! These provide up to $6,495 per year, as of the 2021-2022 school year. That's a huge help when it comes time to pay tuition. Make sure to fill out the FAFSA on time to qualify for Pell Grants and other federal aid.

To get an art scholarship do you need to major in art?

The answer to this question depends on a few factors. Let's say you're a high school senior applying for art scholarships. If you are applying to art schools, these schools might not offer any majors other than art. In that case, if you win an art scholarship, you will have to use it at that school, and so, you will have to major in art.

But let's say you're a high school senior who makes art but aren't sure if you want to major in it just yet. You can still earn art scholarships! Whether they are from your school or another organization, you should qualify for most art scholarships. Students just going into high school typically don't know their major yet, and so they won't expect you to major in art to earn the scholarship. For example, Kenyon College's $15,000-per-year scholarship for art does not require that students end up majoring in it.

One notable possible exception to this rule is students who earn renewable scholarships. If a scholarship is contingent on you being an art major and you switch majors, you might not be able to renew it. You typically won't have to pay back your initial award, but you won't keep earning.

If you are already in school and you decide to apply for art scholarship, the answer will vary on a case-by-case basis. Some scholarships might require that you major or minor in art. Others may judge your application solely on your portfolio and essays.

Summary of scholarships for artists

$20,000 Terry Crews "Creative Courage" Scholarship
$10,000 Isaac Yunhu Lee Memorial Arts Scholarship
$1,500 Devin Chase Vancil Art and Music Scholarship
$1,483 Anne DiSerafino Memorial Arts Scholarship
$500 Artists and Writers in the Community Scholarship
Innovation in Education Scholarship
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Young Filmmakers Contest
Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship
John Lennon Scholarships
Christophers' Poster Contest
Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest
Frame my Future Scholarship
Anne DiSerafino Memorial Arts Scholarship
Greater Than Gatsby Annual Scholarship
Ocean Awareness Contest
Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
GraphicDesignDegreeHub.com Creativity Scholarship
Interpretive Fellowships at Art Museums

Upcoming Scholarships

Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship

Eligibility: Asian American college students pursuing a major in the performing, visual arts, journalism and/or mass communications
Amount: $1,000
Opens: February 1, 2022

Dolphin Galleries Scholarship for the Visual Arts

Eligibility: Students planning or currently pursuing an arts-related major or minor
Amount: $1,000

Doodle for Google Scholarship

Eligibility: This scholarship is open to all students in grades kindergarten to Grade 12
Amount: $5,000 to $30,000

Future Designer Scholarship

Eligibility: To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be an incoming (graduating high school senior) or college student who designs a holiday greeting card
Amount: $1,000

Krylon Clear Choice Art Scholarships

Eligibility: High school seniors and freshman/sophomore college students
Amount: $1,000

Selectblinds $1,000 Scholarship

Eligibility: Applicants must be registered as students at an accredited high school, college, or university within the United States
Amount: $1,000

Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest

Eligibility: High school students who create prom outfits with duck tape
Amount: $500 to $10,000

Drawing Art Competition for Scholarships

Source: https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/top-art-scholarships/