Empire State Summer Arts Scholarship Program to Offer $168,000 in Scholarships for Students to Attend Regional Arts Programs

The Office of Cultural Education announced today the availability of $168,000 in scholarship opportunities for middle and high school students to attend regional arts programs this summer. Students may apply to receive a scholarship by completing the online application beginning April 1^st through May 1^st.

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, “We are proud to be able to once again provide equitable opportunities for students across the state to access life-changing summer arts programs. These scholarships help to ensure that a diverse group of students are exposed to the knowledge and training needed to increase their skill levels within their specific discipline, while also enhancing personal, educational and career goals.”

State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “Regardless of the chosen field of study, whether it’s dance, creative writing, or another discipline, the distribution of these scholarships will open the door of new opportunities and experiences for all students who wish to participate in this valuable summer arts program. While we continue to engage with the Legislature and Executive Office to advocate for full funding of our robust New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA) program and Empire State Summer Arts Scholarship, which has been and is a funding priority of our Board of Regents and the Department, these scholarships will help ensure equitable access to arts education for those who might not otherwise  be able to attend these wonderful programs and will also encourage more inclusive participation that is truly representative of our diverse statewide student population.”

Administered by the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Cultural Education, the funding will support the Empire State Summer Arts Scholarship Program’s goal of promoting access and equity to arts education by providing need-based grants to low-income students who want to pursue summer growth opportunities. The scholarship application review process will evaluate financial need in addition to an audition or portfolio submission.

To be eligible to apply, students must be entering 6^th – 12^th grade in fall 2023, 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. It is recommended that students confirm they have been accepted into a program prior to applying for a scholarship. 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 greatest financial need.

NYSSSA and the Empire State Summer Arts Scholarship Program are part of the Office of Cultural Education within the New York State Education Department. The Empire State Summer Arts Scholarship Program is open to middle and high school level students that apply to independent, community-based art programs and use the awarded scholarship to offset those costs. The Empire State Summer Arts Scholarship Program serves 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  Office of Cultural Education website.