We are pleased to announce the following scholarship opportunities for the 2013 Americans for the Arts Annual Convention.

National Opportunities from Americans for the Arts*

*Must be a member of Americans for the Arts to apply

1. Local Arts Scholarships

Scholarships are available to individuals who are working to advance the arts at the local level. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals representing:

• local arts agencies
• arts education, public art, and other community-based organizations that utilize arts and culture to advance their mission
• arts service organizations (i.e., state arts agencies and associations) that support work at the local level

These scholarships cover:

• the cost of registration to the main convention (does not include any preconference registrations)
• roundtrip airfare
• up to three nights' accommodations at the convention hotel

Travel and hotel accommodations will be handled by Americans for the Arts. Preference may be given to applicants who serve rural or underserved communities, emerging leaders, and first-time attendees of the Annual Convention.

2. Convention Registration Scholarships

Scholarships are also available to cover the cost of convention registration only.

Evaluation Criteria for National Opportunities

Scholarship recipients are selected on a competitive basis by a committee composed of Americans for the Arts staff and outside panelists. Applicants will be evaluated based on the questions asked in the statement of purpose in the scholarship application.

In order to be considered for scholarships 1 and/or 2, you must be a current member or join as a member of Americans for the Arts.

Pennsylvania Opportunities

3. Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Scholarships

Generously sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), a state agency, these scholarships are available to Pennsylvania-based cultural organizations. To be eligible to apply, staff must work for organizations that are incorporated in and conduct business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Applicants may be required to provide proof of their organization's incorporation and activity in Pennsylvania before their application can be reviewed or an award made.

Organizations must be nonprofit, tax-exempt corporations, a unit of government or school district providing arts programming and/or arts services in Pennsylvania. A Federal Identification Number, assigned by the Internal Revenue Service, is required before a contract can be issued.

Preference in the allocation of awards will be given to current grantees of the PCA.

4. The Fine Foundation Scholarships

Generously sponsored by The Fine Foundation, these scholarships are available to artists or staff of cultural organizations based in the following Southwestern Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland.
 

Evaluation Criteria for Pennsylvania Opportunities

Pennsylvania-based scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria outlined above.

These scholarships will cover the cost of main convention registration only.

Preconference Scholarships

Americans for the Arts Preconferences take place before the main convention from June 13-14.

5. Public Art Network Preconference

Scholarships are available to Pennsylvania-based Public Art professionals including, but not limited to: artists, arts administrators, and educators. Public Art Network Preconference scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to applicants.

6. Arts, Entertainment & Cultural Districts Preconference

Scholarships are available to cover the Arts, Entertainment & Cultural Districts Preconference registration cost only. 

Pittsburgh is home to one of America's oldest and most dynamic cultural districts. With numerous states and municipalities employing districts as an economic development and community development strategy, this preconference will provide targeted professional development and training–and a unique opportunity to learn about existing policies, incentive programs, and more.
 

Evaluation Criteria for Preconference Scholarships

Preconference scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria outlined above.

These scholarships will cover the cost of preconference registration only.

Important Deadlines

February 28, 2013, 5:00 p.m. EST   All scholarship applications are due

April 1, 2013  Scholarship recipients will be notified

April 26, 2013  All recipients must register by this date to avoid paying additional fees

July 15, 2013  All recipients are required to submit a one-page report about their experience to Americans for the Arts

Restrictions

• Americans for the Arts scholarships do not cover the cost of any transportation or incidentals, ARTventure tours, or any other additional activities.
• Convention scholarships may only be used to attend the Americans for the Arts Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, PA, June 14-16, 2013.
• Public Art Network Preconference Scholarships may only be used to attend the PAN Preconference, June 13-14, 2013.
• Arts, Entertainment & Cultural Districts Preconference Scholarships may only be used to attend that preconference, June 13-14, 2013.
• Recipients of Local Arts Scholarhips (#1) must have the ability to depart from an airport that reasonably connects to the annual convention host city. Airline travel for Local Arts Scholarships is based on the availability of reasonable airfare rates as deemed by Americans for the Arts. Free or award tickets may be used and result in the inability to retain frequent flier miles for the individual. If preferred air travel is unavailable or not served by your nearest airport this portion of the scholarship may be unavailable. No substitutions for air travel can be allowed.
• All scholarship recipients must register by April 26, 2013 in order to avoid paying additional fees.
• Scholarship recipients are not eligible to attend the convention at the one-day rate.
• All recipients are required to submit a one-page report about their experience by July 15, 2013.
• An individual may apply for all scholarships offered provided that they meet all of the eligibility criteria for each category of award.  However a maximum of one scholarship per individual will be awarded.

For questions regarding scholarships, please contact Membership Associate Anette Shirinian by e-mail at membership@artsusa.org or by telephone at 202-371-2830.