Top 5 art scholarships overall
We pick our art scholarships by finding trustworthy organizations who offer big rewards and have been offering their scholarships for a long period of time. Here are our editors’ picks for the top 5 art scholarships overall:
- Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest– For high school and college students who submit a greeting card of their own creation. Worth $10,000
- Scholastic Art & Writing Awards – For middle and high school students who submit a piece of creative writing or art. Worth up to $12,500
- Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest – For students in grades 9-12 who submit two-dimensional art displaying patriotism. Awards vary based on the number awarded
- Stuck at Prom Scholarship – For HS students who submit a tuxedo or dress design made of duct tape. Worth between $1,000 and $15,000
- Gucci Changemakers North America Scholarship – For current or incoming college students majoring in marketing, art, design, film, communications, or other creative fields
How to win art scholarships
Now that you’ve got a long list of art scholarships, it’s time to start applying! Crafting the perfect application can take some work, but we are here to help you through. Check out our guides on how to start and end a scholarship essay, how to write a winning scholarship essay, and the best ways to respond to a “Why do you deserve this scholarship?” prompt. We’ll also help you tailor your writing to 250 or 500 word limits, and write a scholarship resume. Good luck!
Related: Top photography scholarships
Resources for art students
Students who are pursuing art as a career will have to learn how to meld their personal work with their professional life, in order to make money. One great way to learn how to do this is through professional organizations. Here are a few to consider joining:
Society of Illustrators
This non-profit offers networking opportunities, invitations to exhibits, art education programs, and a whole lot more. It also offers introductory membership pricing for students early in their careers. If you are an illustrator be sure to consider this organization!
National Association of Independent Artists
This organization works to help improve the economic situation of students of the fine arts. They help artists put on shows, advocate for their rights, and much more.
American Federation of Musicians
This organization has members all across the US and Canada who collaborate on projects, offer emergency funds in times of crisis, and much more. This is a great way to connect with other musicians and get an idea of what being a professional musician is like.
Also see: Top 10 summer art programs for high school students
Summary of art scholarships
So, you can see by now that there are art scholarships out there for artists in every field. If you are an artist interested in climate change, be sure to check out the Ocean Awareness Art Scholarship. And if your interest lies in illustration, don’t miss the Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship! Meanwhile, jazz musicians should be sure to apply for the Jazz at the Ballroom Scholarship.
Remember, many of these scholarships have more specific requirements in addition to artform. You might find opportunities for students with a high GPA, graduate students, African American students, or Asian American students. At the end of the day, make sure to keep looking until you find the right fit for you, and be sure to check our free scholarship search tool for more opportunities!
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’s art department 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?
Can you use Pell Grants to pay for art school?
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 pursue an arts degree to earn that 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.
Are there art history scholarships?
Yes! Several of the scholarships on this list are open to art history majors. Students looking for art history scholarships may also find useful results in our history scholarships page.
Can you get a scholarship for being good at art?
Absolutely! Let’s say you are especially talented with ceramics. If you include photos of your work in your applications’ portfolio, colleges may be likely to offer you merit-based aid for your artistic talent. You can also apply to art-specific scholarships such as the ones on this list.
Also see: Do I have to pay back FAFSA money?
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