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Art Scholarships in the USA
For many aspiring artists, paying for college can be a daunting task. However, there are a number of scholarship opportunities to help ease the financial burden of pursuing an arts education. We’ve compiled a list of 10 top paying art scholarships for college and scholarships for highschool seniors in the U.S. to give you a head start on your search.
This scholarship for college encourages highly ambitious students to pursue graduate studies in the arts. Each awardee receives $5,000 before starting their course, and will also receive $30,000 during their studies. Awardees can use the grant to study anywhere in the country, and can supplement with other scholarships or grants.
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. national from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa, and must use all of the money within five years of completing their undergraduate degree. Furthermore, applicants must have demonstrated excellent academic capabilities during their undergraduate studies, and have a proven history receiving need-based financial support during their undergraduate studies.
Applications are due on the second Wednesday in February on an annual basis.
CHS Fellowships in Hellenic Studies
This program supports the research of ancient Greek civilization and seeks to encourage relationships between academics from a range of different backgrounds. All awardees receive $20,000 per semester in residence, alongside housing, a travel grant, health insurance, and access to the Harvard library.
If you’re interested in applying, you must have a PhD in Classics or a related discipline, and the program welcomes applications from any characteristic protected by law.
Applications are due in December 2023.
Hope College Distinguished Artist Awards – Visual Arts
This program recognizes creative talents in the visual arts and is granted to enrolled first-year students at Hope College. Each awardee will receive $3,000 per academic year which can be used to help with any academic-related costs, and can be renewed for up to four years.
If you would like to apply, you must supply up to a maximum 15 high quality 35mm slides that represent excellent and diverse work in your chosen media.
Applications open in September 2023, and are due February 2024.
ISI Henry Salvatori Fellowship
The ISI Henry Salvatori Fellowship is one of the top 10 art scholarships in the U.S. and is awarded to college students with an interest in the arts and a commitment to academic excellence. This prestigious scholarship provides between $5,000 to $15,000 in tuition assistance as well as additional funds for educational expenses.
The eligibility requirements for this scholarship are stringent and include a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher on all undergraduate courses, as well as a demonstrated financial need. Additionally, applicants must have completed at least two years of college courses by the time of application and hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status.
Applications are due January 2024.
Kress Foundation Interpretive Fellowships at Art Museums
This scholarship for college is an impressive financial aid opportunity to those interested in pursuing studies related to art history and conservation. The fellowship provides a stipend of up to $30,000 for research expenses and living costs, as well as the possibility of additional funds.
Eligible applicants must be enrolled in or have completed their master’s degree in Art History or Conservation before the start of the fellowship period. Applicants must also show that they have access to resources needed for the project, such as museum collections or archives.
Applications are due April 1st 2023.
Do you want to get matched with colleges and qualify for financial grants for free? This free service allows you to connect with colleges that match your interest in and see the grants roll in! Click here for more information.
The Kress Foundation History of Art Institutional Fellowships
The Kress Foundation History of Art Institutional Fellowships is an annual scholarship program for emerging scholars and graduate students pursuing research in the history of art. The fellowship serves to promote and advance the study of European art from the early Middle Ages through modern times. It provides up to $30,000 of funding to support their research. Winners will also have access to additional resources such as online tutorials and seminars on topics related to the research project. Furthermore, winners may also be invited to attend professional development activities in Washington D.C., such as briefings with leading scholars or visits to major museums and archives where work is conducted that supports the mission of The Kress
Foundation History of Art Institutional Fellowships program.
Eligible applicants must be current undergraduate students or graduate students (including Master’s and Doctorate) studying at accredited universities in the U.S., and demonstrate academic potential in the field of art history.
Applications are due November 30th 2023.
Robert W. Thunen Memorial Scholarship
The Robert W. Thunen Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship program dedicated to aspiring students who are passionate about the arts and wish to pursue a degree in this field. Successful applicants will receive up to $5,000 towards covering tuition costs or other educational expenses related to their studies in visual arts. Additionally, recipients of this award will not only benefit from its financial support but also gain access to professional development workshops geared towards helping them make a successful transition into their chosen art career path.
To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must demonstrate financial need and be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at an accredited college or university located in the U.S. They should also have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher, as well as submit a written statement outlining their proposed project and budget plan, academic reference letter, official transcripts, and other relevant documents demonstrating their qualifications for the award.
Applications are due April 1st 2023.
John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship Fund
The John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship Fund provides financial aid to undergraduate students in the visual arts who are pursuing a degree from an accredited art school or any university that offers a major in the visual arts. The mission of this scholarship is to provide support for dedicated students so that they can pursue their dreams of becoming successful artists. It also aims to build a community of individuals with knowledge, passion and skill in the visual arts. Further, it seeks to celebrate and honor student artistry through its recognition program which includes awards in painting, sculpture, photography, digital art, animation and other related fields. The award amount varies depending on individual needs but typically ranges between $500 and $5,000.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must demonstrate financial need and hold an outstanding commitment to the field of visual arts.
Applications are due February 2024.
JVS Chicago Scholarship Program
The JVS Chicago Scholarship Program is an incredibly valuable opportunity for aspiring artists looking to pursue higher education. Funded by the Jewish United Fund and its donors, this scholarship program supports up to 20 students each year with awards of up to $4,000 per student for tuition and educational expenses. If selected as a recipient of the JVS Chicago Scholarship Program award, students will receive both tuition assistance and other educational expenses such as room & board or books & materials. Furthermore, recipients are also provided professional development opportunities through mentorship programs with JVS Chicago alumni and staff as well as invitations to various network events.
The application process is open to any student residing in Cook County, Illinois or Lake County, Indiana who will be pursuing their studies at a higher education institution in the United States or Canada. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale from either high school or college transcripts.
Applications are due February 2024.
CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship
The CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship is a scholarship available to full-time visual art students enrolled in an accredited college or university, with awardees receiving $5,000 to go towards supporting their studies. This program is both a scholarship for highschool seniors and current college students.
To apply, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, demonstrate financial need and exhibit artistic excellence.
Applications are due April 14th 2023.
Applying for scholarships can be a daunting task, but the payoff can be worth it. Investing time in applying for grants and scholarships related to your field of study can help you get closer to achieving your academic goals. If you’re an artist, there are many scholarships available to support your studies. Take some time to look through each opportunity and see if any fit your needs.
In 6 quick steps, you can get matched with colleges and qualify for financial grants. This free service allows you to connect with colleges that match your interest in and receive Grant offers! Click here for more information.
Other scholarship opportunities you may be interested in:
Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship
Betty Harlan Memorial Art Scholarship
Emily M. Hewitt & Stephen Stocking Memorial Scholarships
Frederick R. Layton Art Scholarship
Friends of MCC Foundation Scholarships
Friends of the California State Fair Scholarship Program
GRCF Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids Minority Scholarship
GRCF Mathilda & Carolyn Gallmeyer Scholarship
Haymarket Gallery Emerging Artists Scholarship
Iowa Scholarships for the Arts
JSU Opal R. & Opal A. Lovett Scholarship
LAGRANT Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships
Marion Barr Stanfield Art Scholarship
Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship
OSRHE Scholars for Excellence in Child Care
Robert Sherman Fine Art Scholarship
Savannah College of Art & Design Graduate Fellowships
Spirit Square Center for Arts and Education Scholarship
The Foundation Scholarship Fund
Yellow Dog Studio Memorial Scholarship
If you need help writing your scholarship application, you need to know how to convince the scholarship program board that you deserve the scholarship. We have some tips here for you here.
