Department
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship money is to be found for students wishing to pursue a Fine Arts major or minor at the collegiate level. Take advantage of these opportunities.
There are many scholarships available for visual and performing arts majors, as well as students
who excel in performing arts and want to continue making music with friends in a variety of settings.
Colleges and universities provide scholarships to non-arts majors as well. They recognize the talents of all artists.
They want students to continue performing and offer scholarship awards to those who
participate in their many ensembles, art programs and theatrical productions..
Did you know that many scientists, engineers, lawyers, doctors, and research scientists are musicians (Albert Einstein was a violinist!). The Longwood Symphony Orchestra was founded by members of Harvard Medical School. There is a Yale Medical School Orchestra. The Chicago Bar Association Orchestra is made up of attorneys, judges and law students. MIT, RPI, RIT and many other engineering schools have created and infused arts programs for their students because they recognize the
connection between the arts and sciences. They are called Art_X, ACT, ArtEx...
Don't give up your passion to create and perform! Check out the link below for Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship opportunities. This is a great way to pursue your interest, earn some funding, and continue life-long participation in the arts. If you don't see something here, search online, and/or check with your school and specific program to see
what scholarships and opportunities are available.
Newtown Cultural Arts Commission
(Arts related field of study)
2025 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
The Newtown Cultural Arts Commission will provide awards in the amount of $1,250 each to
assist deserving students acquire
a higher education in an arts related field of study.
ELIGIBILITY:
The scholarship recipient must be a graduating senior and Newtown resident who is entering a four-year college or university or two-year community college. Candidates may attend Newtown High School or be Private/Parochial/Home Schooled students. The student must be majoring in an arts related field. If you have a question about a specific field, please speak to
Ms. Jacobs (NHS Career Center).
(Note: Children of NCAC members are NOT eligible.)
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 21, 2025
Applications may be submitted as hard copies by downloading the application pdf or via our online submission process here:
https://forms.gle/2ZMMWvkDDN7YTNTP9
Hard copy applications must be postmarked
or hand delivered to:
Ms. Jacobs, Newtown High School Career Center
by 2:00 pm on March 21st.
Link to the NCAC website scholarship info:
https://newtownartscommission.org/what-we-do/grants-scholarships/
Steven A. Merrihew Scholarship for the Performing Arts
(Dance, Choreography or Musical Theater focus)
2025 SCHOLARSHIP
The Parker Project, a 501c3 Non Profit Organization that has been supporting Fairfield County students going on to pursue the arts since 2007. Each year we award the Steven A. Merrihew Performing Arts Scholarship to those graduating Fairfield County seniors going on to pursue dance, choreography or musical theater as a Major or Minor in college. To date we have awarded over $90,000.
This year we are giving out one $5,000 Scholarship and two $1,000 Scholarships. You will find information and the application form by clicking this link: https://forms.gle/vgrBtF47moYEPQaz7
APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 14, 2025
VFW Auxiliary National Scholarship 2025
(Visual Art focus)
The VFW National Auxiliary is pleased to announce
this National Scholarship to assist students
who wish to further their education. This scholarship contest recognizes young artists
and encourages patriotism in youth.
There are two separate award categories:
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest:
2-Dimensional
The first place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $37,000.
3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest
The first place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $5,500.
APPLICATION DEADLINE - MARCH 31, 2025
https://vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships/young-american-creative-patriotic-art-contest/
Micky Golomb Memorial Scholarship 2025
(Jazz focus)
Scholarship Overview
Are you a budding jazz musician living in
Fairfield County, Connecticut? If so, we strongly encourage you to apply for the Micky Golomb Memorial Scholarship! The Jazz Society of Fairfield County offers
up to $5,000 for tuition assistance to students
who are enrolled in a music degree program
and dedicated to pursuing a career in
jazz performance and/or jazz education.
About The Jazz Society of Fairfield County
The Jazz Society's mission is to enrich the cultural life of Fairfield County by promoting the performance and appreciation of jazz music. They have partnered with Kids Empowered by Your Support, Inc. (KEYS Music) in Bridgeport and the Westport Public Schools to bring world-class artists into the community to help establish the next generation of jazz enthusiasts and performers.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 15, 2025
For more information and application:
J.W. Pepper Scholarship 2024-25
(Music Education focus)
J.W. Pepper is turning 150, and we can think of no better way to celebrate than by empowering students across the U.S. to teach music. Our landmark scholarship program awards 52 scholarships for students entering their first year of college as a music education major. $3,000 scholarships will be awarded to one student recipient from each state, plus a student from Washington, D.C., and another for a student from the U.S. territories! The top scholar of all 52 recipients will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship! The scholarship recipients must be entering their first year as a full-time student majoring in music education in fall 2025.
We aim to help aspiring students pursue their dream of becoming music educators. We invite music students from every corner of the U.S. to participate in this extraordinary opportunity.
Scholarships will be paid to the recipient's college for the fall semester 2025.
The application window is December 2, 2024 thru January 31, 2025. Here is the link:
Gary DeSalvo Memorial Theater Scholarship 2025
The Gary DeSalvo Memorial Scholarship Fund is seeking applicants for our first annual theater scholarship awards. The applicant needs to be a graduating senior who resides in Fairfield County and has been an active member of their school's drama program for at least two years. The applicant must be entering an
accredited university, college, or vocational school.
There will be at least two scholarships available at a minimum of $1,750 each with awards
presented at the Annual Gary DeSalvo Memorial
Golf Tournament in June 2025.
All documentation required along with the application must be submitted by March 29, 2025 via email to:
A transcript, essay, and two letters of recommendation must be submitted with the application.
For more information on this scholarship and
who Gary DeSalvo was please visit the website:
https://garydesalvomemorial.com/content/?page_id=1314
This is the link to the application. It is in Google Doc form. Be sure to copy it first before completing and emailing to scholarship committee:
Elizabeth Anne Carlson Performing Arts Foundation Scholarship 2025
(Performing Arts focus)
Auditions are held each May at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Performing Arts.
The Scholarship is open to all Connecticut
high school graduates who are going to college
to study the performing arts.
The scholarship is currently $6,250 a year
for up to four years ($25,000).
APPLICATION DEADLINE - APRIL 14, 2025
Download the scholarship application and instructions at:
https://elizabethannecarlsonscholarship.com/performing-arts-scholarships/
Connecticut Blues Society Scholarship 2025
(Focus - Major or minor in Music)
The Mike Crandall Memorial Scholarship Fund is an annual scholarship established in 2023 to provide financial support to a graduating high school Senior in the Connecticut Public Schools planning to pursue a major or minor in music.
This is a non-renewable award totaling $2,000.
Applicants are asked to complete the form below. Once your initial application is received, you will be contacted with additional information.
A video submission of a recent musical performance will be required.
APPLICATION DEADLINE - JUNE 15, 2025
https://www.ctblues.org/Scholarship
Educational Theater Association - CT Chapter 2025 Scholarship
(Theater focus)
Two $500 scholarships will be awarded in the following areas:
-
Performance
-
Tech
Studying theater in college is not a requirement.
Eligibility:
-
A senior
-
An inducted Thespian
-
Member of an active thespian troupe in good standing
-
A resident of the State of Connecticut
-
Attending a college, university, or conservatory program for the 2025-26 school year
Scholarships will be paid directly to the college or university.
APPLICATION DEADLINE -MAY 27, 2025 @ 3:00 P.M.
Fill out the scholarship application form at: