A long running tradition, Starkville Area Arts Council awards scholarships each summer to youth ages 11-18 for extracurricular art and art education programs. This includes a wide range of disciplines, such as performing arts, choral music, instrumental lessons, applied arts, visual arts, and creative writing. Funds may be used for summer lessons, camps, auditions, and more.
The past two years have shown record numbers of applications. More than $7,000 was awarded in summer 2019 for students attending programs at MSU Summer Scholars OnStage, MS Lions Band, Controllers 4-H Club Summer Camp, American Ballet Theatre and Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute. As interest and demand grows, SAAC hopes to support more talented youth in 2020. This year’s scholarships are funded in part by grants from SOAR and Wal-Mart Community Grant Store No. 112 (Starkville).
Rules and applications are online at starkvillearts.net/artseducation. Students must be residents of Oktibbeha County, between ages 11 and 18, and currently attending public, private or home schools. Both merit and need are considered. Students are not eligible once officially enrolled in college. Awards are paid directly to the agency or vendor, so applicants must also identify a specific program in advance of submitting an application. Applications are due April 1.
If interested in supporting this initiative, contact SAAC’s Executive Director John Bateman. (#starkvillearts #SummerScholarships).
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