Students can apply for performings arts scholarships and grants.
Artists rely heavily on scholarships and grants to finance their education and to create and produce new works. Foundations, government organizations and corporations provide millions of dollars per year to support the educational goals and careers of students and professionals in the performing arts. Some scholarships and grants also provide performance opportunities for artists.
Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts Scholarships
Named after the late Academy Award-winning actress, the Donna Reed Foundation supports talented youth involved in performing arts. The organization sponsors local and national scholarships for college students. Award categories include acting, musical theater and voice. National finalists perform at a scholarship concert each year during the foundation's annual festival. Awardees also receive full scholarships to the foundation's workshops. The foundation's website posts information on national and local awards. For national scholarships, students must email the organization to request scholarship application information. Award amounts vary.
YoungArts
YoungArts is sponsored by the National Foundation for Advancement in Arts. It manages several prestigious programs for young artists in partnership with prominent museums and performing arts companies. In order to be eligible for YoungArts programs, high school seniors must register with the organization in a specific discipline. This includes filling out an application and fulfilling audition or portfolio requirements. Registered artists are eligible for the White House-sponsored President Scholars program and grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. A panel of artists chooses award winners. The program is only open to U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents.
Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Heineken USA Performing Arts Scholarship
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation sponsors a performing arts scholarship for college students with the support of Heineken USA in honor of the late musician Curtis Mayfield. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll full-time at a college or university, have a minimum grade point average of 2.5, demonstrate leadership qualities and be involved in community service activities. Students must submit a personal statement, transcripts, letters of recommendation, a resume, a college acceptance letter and a video recording of a recent performance. Applicants do not have to be U.S. residents but must live or attend college in a district represented by a member of the CBC.
Golden Key International Honour Society Visual and Performing Arts Achievement Award
The Golden Key International Honour Society awards visual and performing arts scholarships in nine categories to student members of the organization. Musicians, vocalists and dancers can apply for scholarships. The winner in each category receives a $1,000 award. Undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students are eligible. Each category has specific application requirements that include submission of audition recordings. Applications for the scholarships are available on the organization's website. Students can apply in more than one category.
