Grants for Art Students
Free Money is Music to the Ears
According to Western culture, the arts are considered worthy of monetary support and have been supported almost without interruption since the Renaissance.
The federal government's National Endowment for the Arts is one of the best known sources of funding for artists and artistic projects.
In the last few decades shifts in the various Republican-Democrat administrations has brought varying levels of political debate concerning the continued support of the arts via the Endowment.
The NEA, nevertheless, continues to provide support to various arts-based organizations, including very popular and relatively mainstream Public Television and National Public Radio.
While the NEA specializes in arts education programs, other arts-based organizations provide loyal support for undergraduates or graduate students.
Organizations
Depending on the area of art you study you may find you qualify for applicable study grants through associated organizations or societies. Are you an Art History major? Or do you prefer studio art? Perhaps you are a photographer, musician or dancer. While you are researching grants make sure to explore all the associated organizations that support each branch of the arts. The Smithsonian, for example, offers a handful of annual scholarships, grants and fellowships to art students.
Arts Colleges and University Programs
Obviously, you should overlook funding or grants among art schools. Dancers might ask for information with colleges and universities that feature prominent dance programs. Large and small universities and colleges often have prominent art programs. Make sure part of your conversation with a financial aid advisor includes questions about applicable grant and scholarship monies.
An example of reputable arts program is the grant awarded to doctoral level students through the Yale Center for British Art.
Alternative Arts Grants
Do not think that just because your career and college goals focus on textile arts that you are out of luck in the grant department? With the right research, arts grants can be found that are generally focused or even those that are specific to a medium, such as the McCord Museum of Canada's grant for doctoral level research in textile arts.
There are plenty of arts grants available and a variety of ways in which to access them. Remember, you will most likely have to prove a financial need as part of the application process.
