Everything You Need to Know About Applying for Art Scholarships

Being a starving artist isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Are you interested in pursuing an art degree but are worried about financing your dreams?

Art scholarships are the perfect way to support both your passion and your finances.

All scholarships have certain requirements for eligibility from a high GPA and academic achievements to a financial need. 

The scholarships we're about to cover are all designed for art students with a flair for creativity.

So grab your eye for design and let's cover the best art scholarships for aspiring artists and performers.

Types of Art Scholarships

Before we cover some of the best art scholarships available, let's discuss what types there are.

The term "art" covers a wide range of talents from drawing and photography to painting and the culinary arts and interior design. Music and literature can also fall under this category.

Because art covers so many different genres, it's important to read the scholarship requirements carefully. Make sure that you're eligible based on your specific talent and niche.

Some art scholarships require hands-on evaluations, performances, and demonstrations. Be prepared to create a unique piece of art that expresses both your creativity and talents. 

Show the scholarship committee what makes you different and deserving of this award.

Be as specific as you can. Similar to applying for a job, you should know exactly what the committee is looking for in a candidate and appeal to those requirements.

The Best Art Scholarships for Art Majors

Whether you're majoring in performance art, interior design, or photography, here are some of the best art scholarships available to you.

Ruth Clark Furniture Design Scholarship

As the name suggests, this scholarship is geared toward interior design majors and other related fields.

All undergraduate students who have successfully completed one semester are eligible for this $3,000 scholarship. Applicants must provide their official transcripts, a recommendation letter, a written essay, and at least 5 samples of their original work. 

Two Ten Footwear Design Scholarship

From furnishings to footwear, this art scholarship targets students studying design with a focus on footwear. 

Applicants are judged based on their financial needs as well as the quality of their work. 

There's no cap on how many Two Ten Footwear Scholarships are given annually, but the average is five.

These $3,000 awards are given to deserving applicants who submit high-quality, innovative designs and portfolios, so be sure to only submit your best work.

Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships

The next set of art scholarships are offered to outstanding students enrolled at specific colleges and universities across the country.

Film and broadcasting are the main focuses of the King Family Foundation scholarships. 

The following scholarships are available based on the area of study, level of education, and location: 

• $10,000 to a graduate student studying in the film or video MFA program at NYU
• $10,000 to a senior at NYU majoring in film or video
• $10,000 to a graduate student studying film or video at UCLA
• $10,000 to a senior majoring in film or video at USC
• Up to $7,000 to college juniors and seniors majoring in film, television, and related fields

Founded in 1988, this art scholarship continues to support students and organizations committed to professional development and educational excellence. 

Educational Theatre Association Thespian Scholarships

If performing arts is your passion, the Educational Theatre Association Thespian Scholarships can help your acting dreams come true.

Eligible candidates range from high school sophomores up to and including college juniors. One requirement for any of the Educational Theatre Association's Scholarships is attendance at the International Thespian Festival. 

Although it changes from year to year, at any given time, there are 10 scholarships available through this organization.

NYCDA Foundation College Scholarship Program

Do you express yourself through dance? There are countless art scholarships available for dancers and dreamers.

The NYCDA Foundation College Scholarship program awards highschoolers that graduate and plan to pursue a performance-based major.

Applicants must submit at least one letter of recommendation from a dance instructor and attend an audtion. Scholarship amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000.

AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships

This art scholarship is for all the photographers out there, along with students studying graphic design, illustration, and fine arts.

With a minimum GPA requirement of 2.0, this scholarship is available to a wide range of students with varying abilities. Applicants must also show financial need and provide a portfolio of recent work.

Minority status is taken into consideration when choosing recipients for this opportunity. If selected, you can receive up to $6,000 in scholarship money.

Bodie McDowell Scholarship

Outdoor communications is an often overlooked art form and involves photography, film, art, broadcasting, and print. 

The Bodie McDowell Scholarship awards applicants between $1,000 and $5,000. Eligible candidates must submit several letters of recommendation and examples of their work.

Academic achievement is also taken into consideration, so be sure to keep those grades up!

NPG (Negative Population Growth) Poster Scholarship Contest

If drawing is your forté, you'll have a leg-up for winning NPG's Poster Scholarship Contest. This scholarship awards the winning poster between $1,000 and $3,000. 

All submissions must be designed by hand -- no computer-generated work is accepted. 

Each year, the organization proposes a specific theme for the poster. In 2019, the prompt was about the negative effects of population growth on the environment.

Posters are accepted twice a year, every year, on July 15th and October 15th so keep your eye's peeled for this year's theme!

Keep Art Alive with these Art Scholarship Opportunities 

Get ready to put your paintbrush to paper and capitalize on these amazing art scholarships.

Whether your focus is performing arts, interior design, photography, or anything in between, these scholarships can help ease the financial burden as you explore your creativity and craft.

Honor Society offers plenty of beneficial scholarship opportunities as well. See how our scholarships are changing lives.

Click here if you want to contribute to the future of our youth.