ART SCHOLARSHIPS

Did you know that arts and humanities graduates are some of the most sought-after by employers? The undeniable fact is that an arts student’s flexibility, knowledge, skill, and discipline make them assets in any company, across a variety of industries.

So, congratulations, because choosing to go to art school may just be the smartest decision you’ve made so far. Your next goal should be to make your journey through art school as smooth as possible, which means finding scholarship options to help you pay for it.

 

Who Should Apply for Art Scholarships?

Art scholarships are for any individual who is passionate about pursuing an undergraduate degree at either a university or college in one of the various arts disciplines. This includes broad niches such as the performing arts, fine arts, design, and even literature or creative writing.

Many scholarships for art majors are available directly through the university or post-secondary institutions. However, there are still well-known and common art scholarships that you can apply for and earn, founded by external organizations and non-profit bodies.

Even though these “general application” scholarships for art majors are open to all, you’ll still need to adhere to each award’s specific application criteria.

 

Types of Art Scholarships

Usually, when you think of scholarships for art majors, you probably think of grants or monies for arts programs like design, painting, or even film. However, art scholarships are much more diverse, and they can include:

• Creative writing
• Visual arts (also known as fine arts, includes disciplines such as painting, drawing, and sculpture)
• Dance
• Music
• Theatre and performing arts — including sub-disciplines like broadcasting, sound, and film and television)
• Video game design
• Photography
• Design, which includes graphic design, architecture, interior design, and industrial design

 

Use These Tips to Secure Art Scholarships

For general art scholarships, you’ll need to follow the deadlines and guidelines for applications. Keep in mind that there are usually only a few award amounts given out for most general scholarships for art majors. Use these tips to maximize your chances and the strength of your application.

• Set up an online portfolio — Even though most art scholarships will ask for a copy of your portfolio materials, through physical or digital forms, it’s good to have a portfolio set up so you can showcase your work.
• Create a narrative through your work — When you’re choosing pieces for your portfolio, look for work that has a certain continuity in theme or that, together, tells a story about your growth as an artist.
• Specialize as much as you can — Focus on one niche of artistic pursuit. For example, if your portfolio is broadly focused on photography, niche down even more to a subject like architecture, editorial, or fashion.
• Work backwards from the deadline — Many students focus on the portfolio, but, often, these scholarships also require high school transcripts, FAFSA forms, acceptance proofs, and even recommendation letters. Working backwards will help you plan out smaller deadlines for each component of your application.

 

Stay Inspired and Informed When Applying to Art Scholarships

There is a multitude of ways to pay for higher education, and art scholarships can contribute greatly towards reducing the bottom line on your education bill. Browse the art scholarships below to find deadlines and other information to start applying — or use CollegeData’s other free tools to help know what college to attend, applying for financial aid, and so much more.

 

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