35 Art Scholarships For International Students in 2025

Ever dreamed of turning your artistic passion into a career abroad? This guide unlocks a world of 35 art scholarships for international students in 2024. Remember, "The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls" (Pablo Picasso). So, let's chase away those financial worries and get ready to bring out that inner artist on the world stage!

Who Should Apply for Art Scholarships?

Artistic scholarships support high school students with a flair for creativity, eager to pursue art careers. These art scholarships span various fields:

1. Performing Arts

2. Dance

3. Photography

4. Fine Arts

5. Video Game Design

6. Music

7. Design

Note: These artwork scholarships are not limited to one school, so apply widely for the best chance at funding. Universities often offer art scholarships, so ask about them when applying.

Top Scholarships for Art Students

As mentioned above, there are different forms of art. Hence, each category has its own set of art scholarships. In fact, there are several scholarships for undergraduate students and postgraduate students. Here is a list of the 35 best art scholarships, along with their application dates, details, and eligibility.

Performing Arts Scholarships

Performing arts encompass creative activities like drama, music, and dance, presented live to an audience, often in venues such as theatres and concert halls. Here are the top 5 performing art scholarships:

1. Aiko Susanna Tashiro Hiratsuka Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: April 1, 2024

Award Amount: Varies as per the scholarship

The JACL National Scholarship and Awards Program, offers over 30 awards, distributing more than $70,000 annually to eligible students. Applicants must submit a single application with the required documents and be active National JACL members. They can apply for one scholarship category, except for financial aid. High school seniors and non-professional artists are eligible. Past recipients can receive up to two art scholarships.

2. Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program

Deadline: May 2024

Award Amount: $2,000 (five available)

The Archibald Rutledge Scholarship program is open to twelfth-grade students in South Carolina public schools. It offers scholarships for art students in creative writing, dance, music, theatre, or visual arts. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, planning to attend a South Carolina college or university, and can apply for only one theatre arts scholarships.

3. Bruce Marson Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: May 2024

Award Amount: $2,000

The Bruce Marson Memorial Scholarship offers annual artistic scholarships to local high school seniors, including those home-schooled, intending to study performing arts in college. These theatre scholarships also extend to students focusing on technical theatre production, covering areas like lighting, sound, costuming, set design, stage management, and production management.

4. Case Western Reserve University Theater Scholarships

Deadline: May 2024

Award Amount: Full tuition or $10,000

Case Western Reserve University offers four fully funded art scholarships for international students for theater majors. It also gives two $10,000 scholarships for theatre minors or those pursuing theatre extracurricular. Retention requires declaring theater as a major/minor, contributing to theatre productions, and maintaining a stipulated GPA.

5. Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Performing  Arts Scholarship

Deadline: March 2024

Award Amount: Up to $5,000

The Curtis Mayfield Scholarship provides scholarships for art students to African American students. Eligibility requires being a full-time undergraduate or graduating high school senior, maintaining a minimum 2.5 GPA, and intending to pursue a career in performing or visual arts.

Dance Scholarships

Dance scholarships are artistic scholarships awarded to students who show exceptional talent in dance. These artwork scholarships, available at various levels of study, support students pursuing a career in dance. Here are the top 5 art scholarships in dance:

1. Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program

Deadline: May 2024

Award Amount: $2,000

The Archibald Rutledge Scholarship offers five art scholarships to South Carolina public school seniors excelling in creative writing, dance, music, theatre, or visual arts. Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship, South Carolina public school attendance for two years, and plans to attend a South Carolina college or university.

2. Florence Lemcke Memorial Scholarship in Fine Arts

Deadline: April 2024

Award Amount: $1,000

The Florence Lemke Memorial Scholarship in Fine Arts offers scholarships for art students to descendants of Washington veterans pursuing fine arts degrees. Eligible applicants are graduating high school seniors in Washington State, involved in church, community service, and extracurricular activities.

3. Iowa Scholarship for the Arts

Deadline: April 2024

Award Amount: $3,000

The Iowa Scholarship for the Arts offers arts student scholarships to exceptional high school seniors and current university students majoring in arts. This artistic scholarship covers 2024-2025 tuition expenses at accredited Iowa colleges or universities. Eligibility includes full-time enrollment and a major in an arts-related field.

4. Jean Lee/Jeff Marvin Collegiate Scholarships

Deadline: January 2024

Award Amount: Six annual $1,000 awards

Annually, Indiana SHAPE grants six artwork scholarships to undergraduates at Indiana colleges or universities, majoring in health-related and arts fields. Selection for the Jean Lee/Jeff Marvin Collegiate Scholarships is based on GPAs, professional potential, financial need, and recommendation letters.

5. Mary Benevento/CTAHPERD Scholarship

Deadline: June 2024

Award Amount: Up to $1,000

The Benevento/CTAHPERD Scholarship is offered to Connecticut high school graduates pursuing degrees in health education, physical education, recreation, or dance at a Connecticut college. The selection of these art scholarships includes competence, potential, and worthiness. The scholarship may be applied towards tuition, books, or room/board, and is subject to conditions.

Photography Scholarships

Photography scholarships are scholarships for art students demonstrating exceptional skills in photography. Here are the top 5 art scholarships in photography:

1. AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships

Deadline: April 2024

Award Amount: Up to $5,000

The AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships are annual awards for post-secondary students studying communication design, illustration, or photography, with an intention to pursue a career in these fields. Eligibility of these artistic scholarships includes a minimum 2.0 GPA, financial need, a portfolio submission, and a preference for minority students.

2. Bodie McDowell Scholarship

Deadline: March 2024

Award Amount: Depends, but usually between $1,000 and $5,000

The Bodie McDowell Scholarship is for students in outdoor communications, including print, photography, film, art, and broadcasting. Selection of these art scholarships are based on clear goals, work examples, and recommendations. Academic performance is considered but isn’t a primary criterion. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible.

3. Lucie Foundation Emerging Scholarship

Deadline: September 2024

Award Amount: $2,500

The Lucie Emerging Scholarship is an international art scholarship, defined as "emerging" if they're students, within the first five years of their career, or not primarily earning from photography. The application requires a project proposal, goals, a biography/CV, and twenty images. Applicants retain the copyright of their work.

4. Ian Parry Scholarship

Deadline: August 2024

Award Amount: £10,000

The Ian Parry Photojournalism supports emerging photographers with the amount, equipment loans, portfolio reviews, mentorship, and exhibition opportunities. The recipients getting these artistic scholarships join a network of past winners and gain exposure through various platforms, such as The Guardian.

5. Nikon Storytellers Scholarship

Deadline: March, 2025

Award Amount: $10,000

Nikon, Inc., in celebration of its 100th Anniversary, offers the Nikon Storytellers Scholarship to visual content creators. These artistic scholarships are open to undergraduate and graduate students in the US and Canada, including non-U.S. citizens. It also requires a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Fine Arts and Writing Scholarships

Fine Arts and Writing Scholarships are art scholarships for students excelling in visual arts or creative writing. Here are the top 5 scholarships for fine arts students:

1. Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship

Deadline: May, 2024

Award Amount: $1,000

The Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship offers art scholarships to Asian American students majoring in performing, visual arts, journalism, or mass communications. Eligibility includes U.S. citizenship, full-time enrollment, leadership abilities, and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Selection is based on content submission, academic performance, leadership, recommendations, and an interview.

2. AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships

Deadline: April 2024

Award Amount: Up to $5,000

The AIGA Worldstudio D×D Scholarships aim to diversify the design field by providing opportunities to students committed to social change, environmental responsibility, and cultural awareness. These artistic scholarships are awarded annually to U.S. college students with a minimum 2.0 GPA, financial need, and a portfolio. Minority status significantly influences award decisions.

3. Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program

Deadline: February 2025

Award Amount: $2,000

The Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program invites South Carolinian public school seniors to compete for scholarships for art majors. Eligibility for this art scholarship requires U.S. citizenship, two-year attendance at a South Carolina public school, and plans to attend an in-state college. 

4. Beall Scholarship

Deadline: April 2024

Award Amount: Up to $5,000

The Beall Scholarship supports women under 35 pursuing fine or performing arts education for church occupations. Eligibility for these scholarships for art students includes U.S. Presbyterian Church membership, residency in specified states, financial need, and graduate study in fine arts. 

5. Cynthia and Alan Baran Fine Arts and Music Scholarship Fund

Deadline: March 2024

Award Amount: Varies

The Baran Fund offers art scholarships to college students pursuing Fine Art or Music degrees, with a preference for acoustic mandolin or guitar studies. Eligibility requires a 3.0 GPA and enrollment in accredited institutions. 

Video Game Design Scholarships

Video game design scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate students, aiming to support and encourage talent in interactive entertainment. Here are the top 5 scholarships for art students in gaming:

1. AIAS Foundation Scholarship Fund

Deadline: May 2024

Award Amount: $2,500

The AIAS Foundation Scholarship Fund assists aspiring game makers, early professionals, and recent graduates aiming for a career in game development or interactive entertainment. Open to students of any major, the artwork scholarships prioritise those intending to work in animation, programming, or game design. Applicants must be at least college sophomores with a minimum 3.3 GPA.

2. WomenIn Scholarship Fund

Deadline: May 2024

Award Amount: $2,500

The WomenIn Scholarships aim to promote women in the interactive entertainment industry through education and professional development. These artistic scholarships support female students and early career professionals, particularly those pursuing technical roles in game development such as art, animation, programming, and engineering.

3. Entertainment Software Association Scholarships

Deadline: April 2024

Award Amount: $3,000

The ESA Foundation Scholarship, offers art scholarships to women and minority students pursuing degrees in Computer & Video Game Arts. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, enrolled full-time in an accredited U.S. college, maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA, and be accepted into a relevant program. No financial need demonstration is required.

4. AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships

Deadline: April 2024

Award Amount: Between $2,500–$3,750

The AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships is for full-time U.S. college students (undergraduate or graduate) majoring in photography, illustration, or design with a 3.0+ GPA. These scholarships for art students also focus on students in financial need, positive social agendas, and identifying as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, military/veterans, neurodivergent, or with disabilities.

5. IGDA Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: September 2024

Award Amount: $2,500 

The IGDA Foundation, a developer-led charity, provides art scholarships to young gamers for attending the Game Developers Conference (GDC), a premier event for game developers. Additionally, IGDA Scholars receive career guidance.

Music Scholarships

Music scholarships are financial aids awarded to students demonstrating exceptional musical talent. They support students pursuing music-related degrees or those with a passion for music, irrespective of their major. The 5 art scholarships in music:

1. AMCA Music Scholarships

Deadline: March 1 each year 

Award Amount: $1,000-$1,200

The Associated Male Choruses of America offers scholarships for art students majoring in vocal or instrumental music, with a preference for vocal studies. Applicants need sponsorship from an AMCA member chorus and must submit an application, transcript, and three recommendation letters.

2. Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program

Deadline: February 20245

Award Amount: $2,000

The Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program invites South Carolinian public school seniors to compete for artistic scholarships. Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship, two-year attendance at a South Carolina public school, and plans to attend an in-state college. Collaborative entries are not accepted.

3. Cynthia and Alan Baran Fine Arts and Music Scholarship Fund

Deadline: March 2024

Award Amount: Varies

Eligible applicants for Cynthia and Alan Baran must be undergraduate or graduate students at an accredited institution. These scholarships for musical theatre also include students enrolled in a BFA, BA in Studio Art, MFA, or BA/MA in Music program. They must be studying visual arts such as painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, or printmaking, and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

4. Doris & Clarence Glick Classical Music Scholarship

Deadline: February 2023

Award Amount: Varies but around $1,500

The Doris and Clarence Glick Classical Music Scholarship program is open to individuals intending to pursue a music degree with a focus on classical music. Preference may be given to Hawai’i residents who show the need for the art scholarships and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.

5. Florence Lemcke Memorial Scholarship in Fine Arts

Deadline: March 2024

Award Amount: $1,000

The Florence Lemcke Memorial Scholarship in Fine Arts offers visual arts scholarships for Fine Arts study to Washington high school seniors who are descendants of veterans. The scholarships for art students support various fine arts disciplines, including painting, drawing, photography, literature, architecture, sculpture, poetry, music, dance, and drama.

Design Scholarships

Design Scholarships are artistic scholarships for students pursuing degrees in various design disciplines, such as graphic design, interior design, or fashion design. Here are the best 5 art and design scholarships for international students:

1. AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships

Deadline: April 2024

Award Amount: Up to $5,000

AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships cater to students pursuing fine art, graphic design, illustration, or photography. Eligibility for these art and design scholarships requiresrequire a minimum 2.0 GPA, demonstrated financial need, and a portfolio submission. 

2. American Institute of Graphic Arts Honolulu Chapter Scholarship Fund

Deadline: January 2024

Award Amount: Varies

The Jane Suganuma Memorial Scholarship Fund supports Hawaii residents studying graphic design, visual communication, or commercial arts in the U.S. These art scholarships prioritize students committed to print production and planning to contribute to Hawaii’s community. Applicants must show the need for these artistic scholarships and maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA.

3. AIAS Foundation Scholarship Fund

Deadline: May 2024

Award Amount: $2,500

The AIAS Foundation Scholarship Fund is open to college sophomores of any major intending to build a career in interactive entertainment, including animation, programming, game design, and music composition. Applicants for this art design scholarship must maintain a minimum 3.3 GPA.

4. ASID Foundation Legacy Scholarships

Deadline: April 2024

Award Amount: $4,000

ASID Foundation Legacy Scholarships are available to junior or senior college students majoring in interior design. Application for these drawing scholarships requires a portfolio, personal and portfolio statements, a recommendation letter, a transcript, and a headshot. These art scholarships are based on academic performance, creative prowess, and the personal statement.

5. IFDA Leaders Commemorative Scholarship

Deadline: March 2024

Award Amount: $1,500

These art scholarships from the International Furnishings and Design Association are for students majoring in interior design or a related field. Preference for the IFDA Leaders Commemorative Scholarship is given to volunteer leaders. The application requires a recommendation letter, an essay, and two design work samples.

With so many incredible art scholarships out there, funding your creative journey just got a whole lot easier! So, grab your portfolio, explore these amazing opportunities, and turn your artistic dreams into reality! 

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