Art scholarships: Find the right ones for you

Start with your school or university

If you’re in high school, talk with your counselor and your art teachers about possible scholarships that they know about. Many colleges and universities offer their own scholarship programs that are available exclusively to their students. Contact the financial aid office or art department to find out what scholarships are available and what the eligibility requirements are.

Check with art organizations

Many community art organizations offer scholarships to local art students. These could include community foundations, art centers, and other non-profit organizations. Art foundations such as the Society of Illustrators or the Art Renewal Center are great examples of art organizations that offer scholarships. Check with these groups to see what scholarships they offer and what the eligibility requirements are.

Use online scholarship searches

Scholarship search engines can be a great way to find art scholarships that match your interests and qualifications. Some popular scholarship search tools include Scholly by Sallie,* Fastweb, and Scholarships.com. These websites allow you to create a profile and search for scholarships that match your interests and qualifications.

*By clicking the link, you'll visit our affiliate Scholly's site. Any information that we may collect or that you provide will be shared with Sallie Mae and will be covered under the SLM Education Services, LLC privacy policy and terms of use.

Research foundations and non-profit organizations

Private foundations also offer scholarships to students pursuing degrees in the arts. These are typically focused on supporting specific areas of the arts, such as music, dance, or visual arts. Research private foundations and non-profit organizations that align with your interests to see what scholarships they offer and what the eligibility requirements are. Some examples of private foundations that offer art scholarships include:

• The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation
• The John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship Fund
• AIGA Worldwide Scholarships

Look for corporate sponsorships

Many corporations offer scholarships to students pursuing degrees in the arts. These sponsorships are typically focused on supporting students who are interested in working in the company's field, such as graphic design, advertising, or animation. Research corporations that align with your interests to see what scholarships they offer and what the eligibility requirements are. A few examples of corporations that offer art scholarships include The Walt Disney Company and Adobe.

Consider merit-based scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are awarded to recognize a student's academic and artistic achievements. Many schools and organizations offer merit-based scholarships to students pursuing degrees across a wide variety of arts. Contact your school's financial aid office or art department to see if they offer any merit-based scholarships.

Find scholarships that are right for you

There are numerous art scholarships available to students pursuing degrees in the arts. Start by checking with your school or university, and then expand your search to art organizations, scholarship search engines, private foundations, and corporations. With some research and effort, you can find the art scholarship that's right for you.