We are pleased to announce the opening of applications for our $2,000 Annual Student Scholarship, offered by Friends in Art, Inc. The scholarship is available to emerging artists who demonstrate both creative talent and a dedication to their craft.
We provide a financial award each year to an outstanding blind or low vision high school senior or college student who has exemplified a passion for the arts, a strong academic record, and a commitment to furthering their artistic education. Whether you’re studying fine arts, performing arts, or any other artistic discipline, we encourage you to apply.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited institution
- Be a full-time student or work 32 or more hours per week while attending college part-time
- A demonstrated commitment to the arts through academic work, exhibition, performance, or community involvement
- A minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Proof of legal blindness
Students must send the Completed application form by May 1. Below is a list of the required documentation. Please refer to the list and make sure the documentation is complete. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. If you experience issues with the online submission of the scholarship, Contact Peter Altschul, FIA scholarship chair via email: scholarship@friendsinart.org.
We hope the items listed below will assist you when filling out and submitting the required scholarship information.
- Scholarship Check List: what you will need to complete this application
- General, contact and educational information
- Transcript submitted electronically. Paper hard copy forms will not be accepted.
- Proof of legal blindness document submitted electronically. Paper copies of documentation will not be accepted.
- — Include two letters of recommendation from a professor, mentor, or a professional within the arts community. Family members of the applicant are excluded. Letters must be received by the deadline date and emailed to scholarship@friendsinart.org .
- Three samples of your work presented as a portfolio, manuscript excerpt, or performance video or clip will be accepted, depending on your discipline. Audio, video clips, and literary or other material such as photographs of visual art including a description for blind and low vision committee members must be sent via email with Drop Box, Google Drive, Microsoft One Drive, iCloud or a similar file transfer service. Links to Performance based clips on YouTube and MP3 recordings less than ten minutes for each recording )in duration will also be accepted.
- Three essay responses are required. Your response to these questions is your chance to shine — tell us about you and your accomplishments and challenges as a student or performer who is blind or low vision.
How to Apply:
- Complete the online application form available here:
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The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2025. The scholarship winner will be announced on June 30, 2025.
The scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the student’s educational institution. Alternately, funds shall be dispersed to the student’s parent or legal guardian should the student be a minor.
We believe that supporting students like you is essential to the future of the arts, and we look forward to reviewing your application.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to reach out to us at scholarship@friendsinart.org
Sincerely,
Peter Altschul
Scholarship Committee Chair
Friends in Art, Inc.
Where blind and low vision artists and audiences thrive.