How to Apply

Scholarships are for undergraduate degrees only.

Deadline for receipt of all materials is on or before March 15th of the application year.

Evaluation Criteria for Scholarships:

• US Citizen and legal resident of Sarasota or Manatee Counties in Florida for at least one year.
• Majoring in Fine Arts (visual and performing arts: painting, illustration, sculpture, design, music, dance, theater, creative writing, photography, digital art, motion design, film, architecture, etc.) at a U.S. college or university
• Exemplary artistic talent
• Established financial need
• Good character
• Documented academic accomplishments
• Clear professional career goals in the arts
• Evidence of extracurricular activities – in school and in the community
• Evidence of honors – in school and from the community

Application Requirements:

Please read carefully and check off these requirements in the application form checklist as you complete your application.
Accurate and complete responses to all questions are required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Complete the online application form and submit the following with that form:

• Submit three (3) current letters of recommendation. (Click here to download recommendation instructions.)
• Mail a copy of pages 1 & 2 ONLY from your Federal Income Tax Form 1040, or your parent(s) Federal Income Tax Form 1040, for the past year (for each parent if filed separately).
• Transcripts can either be mailed to Arts Advocates or submitted electronically. Please follow the directions on the application.
  • For high school seniors: Current high school transcript.
  • For current Arts Advocates Scholars: Current high school transcript.
  • For college students who are not current Arts Advocates Scholars: Transcripts for high school and college courses taken to date.
• Submit an essay (in your own words) regarding the area of your artistic talent and your dedication to education to enhance your artistic talent. Indicate your career aspirations in the arts at present, and your career goals in the arts in the future.
• Please attach your essay as a PDF where indicated in the online form.
• Submit the proper file types of your work product accompanied by a written description of the work submitted.

For Performing Arts Applicants:

• Submit 2-3 performance piece video links* up to 3 minutes each.
• Solo performances are preferred, but if performing in a group, please identify yourself in the written description and also submit a one-minute solo performance.
• If a vocal performance, please check sound quality to be sure your voice is clearly heard above the music and include at least a portion sung a cappella.
• A close up recording of the performance is preferred to a long lens view from back of theater.
• Please also indicate in your written description if you choreographed, wrote lyrics or composed the music.

*YouTube, Vimeo links only. Please make sure these are public (not private or password protected) videos. Include these links where indicated in the online form.

For Visual Arts Applicants:

• Include at least 2 works that have been completed in the current school year and up to 6 pieces total.
• Note dates of when pieces were completed in your description of each work.
• Please attach JPG or PNG files where indicated in the online form.
• If submitting a video, please send YouTube or Vimeo links only. Please make sure these are public (not private or password protected) videos. Include these links where indicated in the online form.

For Creative Writing Applicants:

• Submit 2-3 samples of writing with descriptions of each and dates completed.
• Please attach these samples as PDFs that include your name in each file name where indicated in the online form.

Online applications will not be accepted if received after March 15th of the application year.

We handle all information received in the strictest confidence. Your information will be disclosed only to members of the Scholarship Committee in their direct responsibility in the evaluation of your qualification for an Arts Advocate Fine Arts Society Scholarship Award.

Letters announcing the awards will be emailed after the final selection in mid-April of the application year. If you have any questions, please email: scholarship@artsadvocates.org.