Art Scholarships
When most students think about scholarship opportunities, they may assume that only two types of students can qualify: nerds and jocks. But while academic and athletic scholarships are the most common categories, there are plenty of other scholarships available for students with different talents.
Art scholarships are a fantastic option for budding artists looking to fund their college education. Read below to learn where to find scholarships for artists, how to apply and which awards are the best.
What is an Art Scholarship?
Art scholarships are given to students with talent in visual arts, dance, music, creative writing, photography and more. Students interested in art history or art restoration may also qualify for these scholarships.
Art scholarship amounts vary depending on the scholarship provider, but can provide a decent chunk of change for the winning student.
Art scholarships may still have GPA or test score requirements, but they may also be less strict than other types of merit scholarships. A 3.0 GPA is usually sufficient for most art scholarships.
Some arts scholarships may have specific geographic or need-based requirements. For example, the SJCF Arturo Vera Art Scholarship is only available to high school seniors from San Joaquin County in California.
Art scholarships can be given for either undergraduate or graduate school, though some providers will focus on specific grade levels. For example, the Master of Fine Arts $4,000 Scholarship Competition and Exhibition is given to a visual arts MFA student attending school in Washington, Oregon or Idaho.
How to Apply for an Art Scholarship
Before starting an application, read through all of the rules and requirements to verify that you are eligible. If you have any questions about your eligibility, contact the scholarship provider as soon as possible.
Once you've determined your eligibility, go through the list of required documents to figure out what you need to provide.
Most art scholarships will ask for a sample portfolio that displays your best work. They may have specific requirements on how to submit your work, often in a digital file of a certain size or type. Make sure to follow those rules or your application may be denied.
Like most other kinds of scholarships, you may also have to write an essay answering a specific question. If writing isn’t your forte, have a teacher or parent help you come up with a solid answer. Even if you're a gifted artist, you should still work on crafting the best essay possible.
Art scholarships may also require a letter of recommendation from an art teacher. Try to give this person at least two or three weeks notice. If you find a scholarship that is due soon, you can still ask for recommendation letters. Just be understanding if some teachers are unable to fulfill your request.
Try to submit your application at least a couple of days before the deadline. This will give you plenty of time in case you are having problems loading the application or attaching your portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions About Art Scholarships
What are the best art scholarships?
Sponsored by Google, the Doodle for Google Scholarship is a competition where students create an image that will be chosen as the search engine’s daily image. The image must also answer a specific prompt. The winner receives a $30,000 scholarship while four finalists will get a $5,000 scholarship.
This art scholarship is available to students kindergarten through 12th grade, so there are many chances to enter and win.
Where can I find art scholarships?
A great way to search for your specific medium is by using our Scholarship Directory. Along with the numerous other mediums for which there are scholarships are photography scholarships, for example. You can drill down to find these by selecting "Artistic Ability" and then "Art-Photography" to see a list of these scholarships.
If you're accepted to a school and are worried about the cost of attendance, contact their financial aid department and ask about any potential scholarships. They may be able to provide more guidance and suggestions on where to find aid.
Art students will also benefit from completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA form is the only way to apply for federal student loans, grants and work-study. Many schools require the FAFSA to be considered for their own scholarships and grants.
Do I have to attend art school to qualify for an art scholarship?
You do not have to attend an art school to be eligible for an art scholarship. However, you usually need to be majoring or planning to major in an art-related field. If you are attending art school, you may qualify for scholarships through your school’s financial aid department.
If you are simply interested in art and are majoring in another area, you can still look for art scholarships that do not have any degree requirements. For example, the Create-a-Greeting-Card Scholarship contest is open to any high school or college student, 14 years and up.
