Arts Scholarships

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Closing in 7 Days
$20,000
2 Award Winners

BMI Student Composer Awards

The BMI Student Composer Awards of $20,000 is offered each year to deserving students to pursue music studies.

Eligible Grades
Middle School – Doctorate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2026
Application Deadline
February 25, 2026
Closing in 7 Days
$20,000
2 Award Winners
Closing in 10 Days
$3,000–$5,000
1 Award Winner

The Miranda Scholarship

The Rhode Island College offers the Miranda Scholarship, ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 to students in Rhode Island pursuing an undergraduate degree in performing arts.

Eligible Grades
College Junior – College Senior
Application Open Date
September 1, 2025
Application Deadline
February 28, 2026
Closing in 10 Days
$3,000–$5,000
1 Award Winner
Closing in 11 Days
$500–$6,000
30 Award Winners

D. Colman Witte Scholarship

The scholarship, administered by the Philadelphia Foundation – a philanthropic organization, awards 30 scholarships ranging from $500 to $6,000 annually to meritorious students to study art, architecture, or interior design.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior – Undergraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2026
Application Deadline
March 1, 2026
Closing in 11 Days
$500–$6,000
30 Award Winners
Closing in 11 Days
$500
1 Award Winner

Music Scholarship for Undergraduate

The General Federation Of Women's Clubs Massachusetts awards the scholarship to an undergraduate student currently enrolled in a four-year accredited college, university, or school of music and majoring in voice.

Eligible Grades
All
Application Open Date
January 1, 2026
Application Deadline
March 1, 2026
Closing in 11 Days
$500
1 Award Winner
Closing in 11 Days
$500
1 Award Winner

Nickels for Notes Music Scholarship

General Federation Of Women's Clubs Massachusetts offers Nickels for Notes Music Scholarship to college-bound high school seniors who plan to major in music education, piano, music therapy, instrument, or voice.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior – High School Graduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2026
Application Deadline
March 1, 2026
Closing in 11 Days
$500
1 Award Winner
Closing in 11 Days
$500
1 Award Winner

Pennies for Art Scholarship

The General Federation Of Women's Clubs Massachusetts (GFWC) offers Pennies for Art Scholarship of $500 to one high school student to pursue an undergraduate degree in arts.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior
Application Open Date
January 1, 2026
Application Deadline
March 1, 2026
Closing in 11 Days
$500
1 Award Winner
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Closing in 28 Days
$5,000
1 Award Winner

Gordon Hay Scholarship Fund

It’s awarded to two deserving students with a record of scholarly achievement and commitment to community engagement, intending to pursue a career in community service, visual arts, and performing arts.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior – College Sophomore
Application Open Date
January 1, 2026
Application Deadline
March 18, 2026
Closing in 28 Days
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Open
$20,000–$60,000
2 Award Winners

Education Matters – The J.M. Heberlig-B.J. Helterbran Scholarship Fund

TFEC awards the J.M. Heberlig-B.J. Helterbran Scholarship Fund of up to $60,000 to undergraduate students who need financial aid for their educational goals in arts and recreation.

Eligible Grades
College Sophomore – College Senior
Application Open Date
January 1, 2026
Application Deadline
June 1, 2026
Open
$20,000–$60,000
2 Award Winners
Open
$5,000
3 Award Winners

Jasin Graduate Scholarship

The Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) annually offers the Jasin Graduate Program of $5,000 to three college seniors and graduate students pursuing postgraduate degree programs.

Eligible Grades
College Senior – Graduate
Application Open Date
February 1, 2026
Application Deadline
June 1, 2026
Open
$5,000
3 Award Winners
Open
$5,000
7 Award Winners

Foare Scholarship Program

The FOARE Scholarship Program of $5, 000 to 11 undergraduate and graduate students each to further their education. The scholarship program consists of eight distinct scholarships.

Eligible Grades
High School Graduate – Undergraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2026
Application Deadline
June 17, 2026
Open
$5,000
7 Award Winners
Opening in 11 Days
$10,000
1 Award Winner

Wilshire Quinn Musical Arts Scholarship

The Wilshire Quinn Musical Arts Scholarship worth $10,000 is available for one musician enrolled full-time in a U.S. university or college music program.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate – Graduate
Application Open Date
March 1, 2026
Application Deadline
June 15, 2026
Opening in 11 Days
$10,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$20,000–$60,000
10 Award Winners

Creative and Performing Arts Scholarships

The University of Maryland Department of Art offers fully-funded Creative and Performing Arts Scholarships of up to $20,000 to eight undergraduate students including freshmen and eligible transfer students.

Eligible Grades
College Freshman – Undergraduate
Application Open Date
March 28, 2023
Application Deadline
April 7, 2023
Closed
$20,000–$60,000
10 Award Winners
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Closed
$10,000
1 Award Winner

CAA’s Professional Development Fellowship in Visual Arts

CAA's Professional Development Fellowship in Visual Arts was created to help multicultural artists and artists from underrepresented minority groups and culturally diverse communities in the various aspects of their work.

Eligible Grades
Graduate – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
September 15, 2024
Application Deadline
November 15, 2024
Closed
$10,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$2,500
11 Award Winners

James Alan Cox Foundation Scholarships

The James Alan Cox Foundation is choosing the works of 11 students to be awarded equipment or scholarships based on their work.

Eligible Grades
High School Freshman – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
July 15, 2024
Application Deadline
November 15, 2024
Closed
$2,500
11 Award Winners
Closed
$25,000–$38,000
300 Award Winners

SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program

The SMART scholarship program for service awards 300 scholarships to students pursuing a degree in a STEM discipline.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate – Doctorate
Application Open Date
August 1, 2024
Application Deadline
December 14, 2024
Closed
$25,000–$38,000
300 Award Winners
Closed
$840–$1,680
1 Award Winner

Hathaway Scholarships

The Hathaway scholarships are available to high school seniors who perform outstandingly in their academics and need financial assistance to further their education in specific fields.

Eligible Grades
High School Graduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2024
Application Deadline
December 31, 2024
Closed
$840–$1,680
1 Award Winner
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner

Procter & Gamble STEM Scholarship

Each year, Procter & Gamble offers the Procter & Gamble STEM Scholarship to assist undergraduate students headed toward careers in STEM industries. Preference is given to an African American male student.

Eligible Grades
College Freshman – Undergraduate
Application Open Date
February 9, 2025
Application Deadline
March 9, 2025
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$2,500
4 Award Winners

Oregon Music Hall of Fame Scholarship

The Oregon Music Hall of Fame offers its Oregon Music Hall of Fame Scholarship to four graduating high school seniors in musical performance to pursue undergraduate degrees in music-related fields.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior
Application Open Date
January 1, 2025
Application Deadline
March 15, 2025
Closed
$2,500
4 Award Winners
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Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner

John Lennon Endowed Scholarship

United Negro College Fund (UNCF) offers the John Lennon Endowed Scholarship to deserving students enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at one of the 37 UNCF member institutions who demonstrate financial need.

Eligible Grades
College Freshman – Undergraduate
Application Open Date
March 18, 2025
Application Deadline
March 20, 2025
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$2,000
1 Award Winner

MTU Visual and Performing Arts Talent Award

Michigan Technological University (MTU) offers the Visual and Performing Arts Talent Award to graduating high school seniors in Michigan, with visual arts or musical talent, to pursue their undergraduate studies.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior
Application Open Date
January 15, 2025
Application Deadline
March 27, 2025
Closed
$2,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$20,000–$33,000
1 Award Winner

Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest

VFX Auxiliary organizes the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest, where one student can win $33,000.

Eligible Grades
High School Freshman – High School Senior
Application Open Date
August 1, 2024
Application Deadline
March 31, 2025
Closed
$20,000–$33,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$3,000
1 Award Winner

Art Porter Music Education Memorial Scholarship

The Art Porter Music Education Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Arkansas high school students to pursue undergraduate degrees in music in Arkansas. Applicants must demonstrate musical talent.

Eligible Grades
High School Graduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2025
Application Deadline
March 31, 2025
Closed
$3,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner

William E. Wilson Scholarship Award

The William E. Wilson Scholarship awards $5,000 to a secondary school teacher pursuing graduate studies in theatre or speech and theatre. Applicants must be legal residents of any SETC state.

Eligible Grades
Graduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2025
Application Deadline
April 1, 2025
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$2,500
1 Award Winner

Iowa Scholarship for the Arts

The Iowa Arts Council offers the Iowa Scholarship for Arts to four outstanding high school students pursuing undergraduate studies towards careers in arts at an Iowa college or university.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior
Application Open Date
December 1, 2024
Application Deadline
April 1, 2025
Closed
$2,500
1 Award Winner
Closed
$2,000
1 Award Winner

Denise Halbach Performance Scholarship Award

The Denise Halbach Performance Scholarship awards $2,000 to a graduate student studying acting or musical theater. Students who graduated from universities in the SETC region can apply.

Eligible Grades
Graduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2025
Application Deadline
April 1, 2025
Closed
$2,000
1 Award Winner

About Arts Scholarships

An arts major goes beyond talent. It is a diversified field of study that influences many industries. Art constantly renovates and modernizes itself. It encourages self-expression, creativity, and builds confidence. A fine arts degree can land its students in a number of industries, including retail, films, theater, and in gaming and digital media. Scholaroo provides college-bound, undergraduate, and graduate students with some interesting means to fund their arts degree pursuit at the following top schools of arts.

Those looking to pursue a career in the arts will find that scholarships can be the necessary resources to cover tuition and living costs, as well as offer opportunities for further growth and development in their chosen field. Arts scholarships can also help bridge the gap between creative talent and financial security, allowing those with limited means to pursue a degree or career in an artistic field without having to worry about how they will pay for it. The availability of arts scholarships can vary greatly depending on the institution or program, with some offering more generous awards than others. Prospective students should research and compare various options to find the best fit for their educational goals and financial means. Overall, arts scholarships can be a great way to pursue one’s passions while also ensuring that they are financially secure.

10 best Arts scholarships 2023

While we wish we could provide a list of 10 easy arts scholarships, that’s not really an option. Arts scholarships are generally pretty competitive and you will need to provide samples of your work – whether it’s a portfolio or a video submission. So instead, we gathered the 10 best arts scholarships based on their worth.

ScholarshipAward Amount
Beinecke Scholarship Program$4,000–$34,000
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest$20,00–$33,000
BMI Student Composer Awards$20,000
The Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards$20,000
Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award$10,000
Wilshire Quinn Musical Arts Scholarship$10,000
AAC Scholarship for Ohio Governor’s Exhibition$10,000
YoungArts Competition$100–$10,000
James M. & Virginia M. Smyth Scholarship Fund$2,000–$8,000
D. Colman Witte Scholarship$500–$6,000

Cost of Art Colleges 2023

The average cost of attending an art college in the United States is around $20,000 per year. While this may seem steep for some students, there are a few affordable options. Three of the most affordable colleges are the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque ($5,981), Florida State University ($6,515), and the University of Hawaii at Manoa ($7,753). These tuition rates make it possible for many aspiring artists to pursue their dreams without breaking the bank. In addition to lower tuition costs, these schools also offer a variety of financial aid programs such as grants, scholarships, and loans. Taking advantage of these can reduce your overall expenses and make higher education more accessible.

Choosing the right school for a degree in the arts is an important decision. It can be difficult to decide which school offers the best education and facilities, but some stand out from the crowd. Some of the top schools for arts studies include the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), California Institute of Arts (CalArts), and Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). All three offer excellent programs in visual art, design, film and animation, theater, writing, and more. RISD is known for its focus on fine arts as well as its rigorous curriculum; CalArts has a reputation for pushing boundaries with its experimental approach to art; while MICA stands out for having one of the most diverse student bodies among all art colleges. Each school has something unique to offer aspiring artists, but take the time to research them carefully before making your decision.

Ultimately, if you’re interested in pursuing a degree in the arts, it’s important to explore all of your options. Researching scholarships and financial aid opportunities can help reduce costs and make art college more attainable. With the right resources, you can make achieving your dream of becoming an artist possible.

Top Arts Scholarships

Arts has a wide pool of scholarships, fellowships, and competitions for all arts-related fields. Scholaroo has some of the top scholarships that can cover your entire tuitions fees, including the Beinecke Scholarship Program which offers $34,000 in support of your education, the BMI Student Composer Awards of $20,000, which is designed to support young and emerging talent to become better songwriters, composers, and publishers, and the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award of $10,000 that’s offered to young artists pursuing undergraduate arts studies across the U.S.

Easiest Arts Scholarships

Because the arts field encourages creativity, many organizations have created several scholarship programs that enable students to pursue higher education via competitions. All it takes is for you to showcase your artistic abilities for a chance to win a scholarship to cover your educational costs and eliminate your financial burdens. Here are two of the most sought-after competitions:
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest of up to $33,000 is awarded to the winner of the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. The contest is open to students from 9th to 12th grade who are enrolled in public, private, or parochial high schools in the U.S.
YoungArts Competition of up to $10,000 to support young artists pursuing higher education.

Arts Scholarships for Minorities

If you are a student from a minority who dreams of pursuing an arts major, there are a number of organizations and scholarship programs out there to help with their educational needs without worrying about cost or any financial burdens. They are all determined to allow those in need the opportunity to join college and pursue their aspired careers in arts, music, and theater, among many other arts-related fields.

Arts scholarships come in different sizes from full-tuition awards to scholarships that cover travel expenses for performances or competitions. Check out the Michael Jackson Scholarship of $5,000 to support exceptional students of minorities pursuing arts-related studies and demonstrating financial needs.

Tips for winning Arts Scholarships

1. Start early: Applying for scholarships can be time consuming, so start the process as soon as possible. Research and begin applying for scholarships that match your interests and abilities.

2. Take a creative approach: Many arts scholarships require applicants to submit a portfolio of their work or demonstrate their talents in some way. Put together an impressive portfolio of your work and make sure to showcase your best pieces.

3. Network: Get to know people in the arts community—particularly those who are knowledgeable about scholarships and financial aid opportunities. Connecting with these contacts could lead to more information on available grants and other resources.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of winning an arts scholarship and achieve your dream of studying the arts! Good luck.

Frequently asked questions

How many scholarships for arts students are there?

Scholaroo features over 58 scholarships, fellowships, and contests for arts majors, including fine arts, performing arts and music, and liberal arts across the U.S. and abroad. Two of the most popular scholarships currently available are the VMFA Visual Arts Fellowships for Graduates and Undergraduates awarding $6,000 and $4,000 respectively in Virginia.

Are there arts scholarships in Georgia?

If you are enrolled or intend to enroll in an arts major based in Georgia, be sure to check out Scholaroo’s list of Georgia Scholarships. We have at least 19 scholarships that you may be eligible for, 14 of which are for any student in the U.S. and five of which are for students in Georgia. The Southeastern Theater Conference provides many arts scholarships, such as the $5,000- William E. Wilson Scholarship Award for theater students. Georgian high school seniors can apply for the Greenhouse Scholars Program of $5,000 annually to pursue their undergraduate studies.

How many arts scholarships are in California?

Scholaroo offers aspiring arts students over 10 scholarships to pursue their undergraduate or graduate programs in arts and its various related fields. The Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award of $10,000 is one example of an art scholarship available in California. Every year, 25 students are awarded to further or complete their studies. Visit our California Scholarships page for more scholarships.

What is the Arts for Life scholarship?

If you are a high school senior based in Florida who exhibits academic excellence and talent in creative writing, dance, drama, or visual arts, check out the Arts for Life! Scholarship program worth $1,000 on Scholaroo. This scholarship can be used to pursue an undergraduate study in arts. There are 20 scholarships up for grabs every year. 

How many art contest scholarships are there?

If you want to exhibit your talent for a chance to win a scholarship program to either pursue or complete your studies, Scholaroo provides six contest scholarships for arts majors annually. One of the most popular scholarship contests available is the YoungArts Competition with a scholarship award of up to $10,000 to fund your education. The scholarship can be used at accredited postsecondary institutions across the U.S.