The New York State Summer School of the Arts to Offer a Scholarship Program for Students to Attend Regional Arts Programs for Summer 2022

The New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA) will offer a total of $150,000 in scholarship opportunities for high school students to attend other regional summer arts programs for summer 2022, the State Education Department announced today. Students can apply for a scholarship through May 1^st via an online application on the NYSSSA website.

“We are excited to offer this new scholarship program for students interested in the arts,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. “The Regents believe that every student should have the opportunity to actively participate in arts education. This scholarship program will allow students from all socioeconomic backgrounds to connect with the arts via summer programs that may have previously posed a financial challenge to their families.”

“Arts education can change a student’s life, and this new scholarship program will break down financial barriers that may prohibit students from attending summer arts programs,” said State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa. “NYSSSA staff and faculty continue to evolve NYSSSA programming to adapt to challenges caused by the ongoing pandemic. I look forward to the success of this new scholarship program.”

The goal of the scholarship program is to promote access and equity to arts education by providing need-based grants to low-income students pursuing summer opportunities. The scholarship application will evaluate financial need and will not include an audition or portfolio component.

To be eligible to apply, students must be entering 6^th – 12^th grade in fall 2022, live in New York State, and select a New York State-based summer arts program including music, theatre, dance, creative writing, fine arts, design, and more. Individual grants will range from $250 - $5,000 depending on financial need; grant amounts will pay up to 90 percent of the program cost. If more applications are received than available funding, scholarships will be awarded based on the most financial need.

NYSSSA offered programming virtually in summers 2020 and 2021. No virtual or in-person NYSSSA program will be offered in summer 2022 because of several factors, including fiscal challenges and virtual format fatigue. In its 2022-2023 Non-State Aid Budget and Legislative Priorities, the Board of Regents included a $2 million annual request for new state funding to ensure NYSSSA continues to be available to New York students in 2023-2024 and beyond.

NYSSSA is a program of the State Education Department and Office of Cultural Education. NYSSSA serves an important need to foster and enhance the artistic abilities of the state’s most gifted young artists regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, or economic status. More information can be found on the NYSSSA website.