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Top 16 Art Scholarships in July 2022
Think that all the “good” scholarships are for academics, sports, or volunteering? Think again, creative artists! The following list is a drop in the old paint bucket, as there are as many scholarships as there are mediums of art. A few of the art scholarships require essays, some involve Duck Tape, and some ask for an artist’s portfolio, but all are worth a look.
These scholarships for artists are also a great way to prove that your artistic skills stand out from the crowd!
Jump ahead to:
- Top art scholarships
- College-specific art scholarships
- Frequently asked questions
- Upcoming scholarships
- Explore these other scholarship categories
The famous French artist Henri Matisse once said that “Creativity takes courage.” Obviously, you already have the courage to create, so now take it a step further and apply for a few scholarships.
Top art scholarships in 2022
“Follow Your Own Path” Essay Scholarship
- Eligibility: All postsecondary students, regardless of the type of training/education they are pursuing
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: August 31, 2022
$2,500 Creative Arts Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to all students interested in the creative arts
- Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: December 31, 2022
$1,000 WCEJ Thornton Foundation Music & Art Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students interested in the study of the arts in higher education
- Amount: $1,000 (five $1,000 scholarships are awarded!)
- Deadline: July 1, 2022
Innovation in Education Scholarship
- Eligibility: Low-income junior and senior high school or undergraduate students planning to or currently attending art school
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: Rolling
L.I.F.E. Scholarships
- Eligibility: Open to college and graduate students who have a lupus diagnosis
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: July 1, 2022
Lounge Lizard Web Design Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors and college students with an interest in Web Design
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: October 3, 2022 and February 19, 2023
The James Alan Cox Foundation Student Photography Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to high school, college, and graduate students who submit photojournalistic images
- Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: November 15, 2022
NAMM President’s Innovation Award
- Eligibility: Open to college and graduate students who are enrolled in college/university music or music business programs
- Amount: $750
- Deadline: December 1, 2022
Academy of Special Dreams Scholarship
- Eligibility: Special needs applicants who applied to and/or have been accepted or are currently enrolled in a college or university, trade school, art school, or other recognized degree-awarding program. Student must express a desire to study or major in art
- Amount: $250 to $1,000
- Deadline: Rolling
Other Art Scholarships
Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest
- Eligibility: High school students who create prom outfits with duck tape
- Amount: $500 to $10,000
- Deadline: July 31, 2022
Future Designer Scholarship
- Eligibility: To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be an incoming (graduating high school senior) or college student who designs a holiday greeting card
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: November 1, 2022
Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
- Eligibility: Full-time students between the ages of 8–18
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: September 1, 2022, November 15 , 2022, February 1, 2023, April 15, 2023
*High school seniors must apply by Nov. 15, 2022.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
- Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up in grades 7 through 12 are eligible for awards
- Amount: $500 to $10,000
- Deadline: Late December/early January 2023, but start creating now!
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest
- Eligibility: Any student in grades 9-12 in the United States
- Amount: Up to $31,000
- Deadline: March 31, 2022
Interpretive Fellowships at Art Museums
- Eligibility: Graduates of B.A., M.A., or Ph.D.programs in art history, art education, studio art or museum studies
- Amount: $30,000
- Deadline: April 1, 2023
Young Filmmakers Contest
- Eligibility: Students in grades 3 up through age 25 who submit films of 3 to 8 minutes about our earth and sustainability
- Amount: $200 to $2,000
- Deadline: June 25, 2023
College-Specific Art Scholarships
Always check in with your college or university (or colleges you are interested in) for art scholarship opportunities. Many colleges award scholarships for students with particular talents in the arts.
Generally, college-specific scholarships for art require students to submit a portfolio, which will be the central part of your application for an artistic scholarship.
Here are some colleges and universities that offer specific art scholarships:
Denison University (Granville, OH)
- Denison offers the Michele Myers Fellowship in the Arts for talented visual artists.
Drew University (Madison, NJ)
- The Drew Scholarship for the Arts is worth $1,000 per year over four years.
Kenyon College (Gambier, OH)
- Kenyon offers scholarships worth $15,000 per year renewable to studio artists.
Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX)
- SMU offers scholarships to artists that vary in scholarship amount. However, the average scholarship is $5,000 per year.
St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN)
- St. Olaf offers talent-based scholarships to artists that are valued at $6,000 per year renewable.
Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)
- Wake Forest offers scholarships valued at $64,000, which equals $8,000 per semester, renewable for eight semesters of undergraduate study (20 scholarships are awarded each year)
Frequently asked questions about art scholarships
How do you get a scholarship for art?
A great first place to start is this list! We have vetted all of the art scholarships listed here to ensure that they are great opportunities for art students. You should also check the websites of each institution that you are interested in. For example, Kenyon College offers a $15,000-per-year scholarship to some studio art applicants.
If you’re looking for an art scholarship, it’s also a good idea to get a portfolio in order. This guide contains advice from professors and art graduates who tell you exactly how to make your portfolio pop out to admissions officers. Remember to work both on your pieces and your artist statements.
Another great idea for art students is to look into local scholarships. Smaller scholarships like these typically have less applicants, and therefore each student has a better chance of winning. Try talking to your guidance counselor or consult community resources to find opportunities.
Does FAFSA cover art school?
In short, yes! You can use FAFSA funding, such as the Pell Grant and federal student loans, for any accredited undergraduate institution in the United States. If you are applying to a graduate art program, you won’t be able to use the Pell Grant or Stafford Loans, but you can take out unsubsidized or PLUS loans.
Also see: Do I have to pay back FAFSA money?
Can you use Pell Grants to pay for art school?
As long as your art school is an accredited undergraduate institution, you can use Pell Grants to pay for it! These provide up to $6,495 per year, as of the 2021-2022 school year. That’s a huge help when it comes time to pay tuition. Make sure to fill out the FAFSA on time to qualify for Pell Grants and other federal aid.
To get an art scholarship do you need to major in art?
The answer to this question depends on a few factors. Let’s say you’re a high school senior applying for art scholarships. If you are applying to art schools, these schools might not offer any majors other than art. In that case, if you win an art scholarship, you will have to use it at that school, and so, you will have to major in art.
But let’s say you’re a high school senior who makes art but aren’t sure if you want to major in it just yet. You can still earn art scholarships! Whether they are from your school or another organization, you should qualify for most art scholarships. Students just going into high school typically don’t know their major yet, and so they won’t expect you to major in art to earn the scholarship. For example, Kenyon College’s $15,000-per-year scholarship for art does not require that students end up majoring in it.
One notable possible exception to this rule is students who earn renewable scholarships. If a scholarship is contingent on you being an art major and you switch majors, you might not be able to renew it. You typically won’t have to pay back your initial award, but you won’t keep earning.
If you are already in school and you decide to apply for art scholarship, the answer will vary on a case-by-case basis. Some scholarships might require that you major or minor in art. Others may judge your application solely on your portfolio and essays.
Upcoming Scholarships
Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship
- Eligibility: Asian American college students pursuing a major in the performing, visual arts, journalism and/or mass communications
- Amount: $1,000
Celebrate the West High School Art Competition
- Eligibility: High school-age students in select western states who submit an original two-dimensional art piece informed by their experience living in the West
- Amount: $200 to $1,500
Christophers’ Poster Contest
- Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 through 12
- Amount: $100 to $1,000
Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to all high school, college, and university students
- Amount: $10,000
- Opens: June 7, 2022
Doodle for Google Scholarship
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to all students in grades kindergarten to Grade 12
- Amount: $5,000 to $30,000
Dolphin Galleries Scholarship for the Visual Arts
- Eligibility: Students planning or currently pursuing an arts-related major or minor
- Amount: $1,000
Frame My Future Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors planning to enroll as full-time students and current undergraduate/graduate students at U.S.colleges and universities
- Amount: $6,000, $2,500, $1,000, and $500 scholarships are awarded, and every winner receives a custom frame!
John Lennon Scholarships
- Eligibility: Current student or alumnus/alumna at a U.S. college or university between the ages of 17 and 24 who submit an original song in any genre
- Amount: $20,000 (three will be awarded!)
Krylon Clear Choice Art Scholarships
- Eligibility: High school seniors and freshman/sophomore college students
- Amount: $1,000
Ocean Awareness Contest
- Eligibility: Students ages 11 to 18 who create a work of art in their chosen genre, including visual art, film, music, poetry, prose, and interactive and multimedia
- Amount: Scholarships worth from $100 to $1,500
Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to students between the ages of 16 and 26 who submit a video entry about their life’s passion
- Amount: $5,000 to $25,000 per year
- Opens: November 1, 2022
