The Huntsville Festival of the Arts (HfA) is pleased to announce the launch of its annual Scholarship Awards Program.
The Scholarship Awards foster the development of performing arts talent in the community by increasing accessibility to arts education. The program provides financial assistance for youth who are currently studying or who plan to pursue studies in music, theatre, or dance. New this year, the program will also accept applications for technical skills studies (ie stage management, lighting or sound design). Over eighty local youth have received financial support since the program’s inception in 1997. 2022 recipients include Oscar Finn (Senior scholarship winner), and Junior scholarship recipients Annaliese Duffield, Chloe Hawes, Emma McLennan, Gwynne Daynard, and Sophie Mann.
The Huntsville Festival of the Arts is pleased to offer two categories of funding for Junior (16 & under) & Senior (17 & older) Performing Arts Scholarships.
Junior Scholarship (16 & under): Nominations will be accepted for local youth to receive financial honorariums in support of their artistic training & development. Individual candidates may be awarded up to $300.00 towards costs of instruction or equipment to support their artistic development.
Senior Scholarship (17 & older): Applications will be accepted for local youth to receive a financial scholarship in support of their artistic training & development. Individual candidates may be awarded up to $1,500.00.
Candidates and nominees must reside in the greater Huntsville and Lake of Bays area. The deadline for applications is May 12 at 5pm.
Applicants will be evaluated by adjudicators with the approval from the Huntsville Festival of the Arts Education Committee representing the HFA board through an audition and interview on May 24th at 4pm at Trinity United Church. Performing arts applicants will perform two contrasting pieces, and participate in an interview from the selection committee.
Technical skills applicants will be asked to present a portfolio and participate in an interview with the selection committee.
“We believe that it is our responsibility to support and reinvest in the community through expanded outreach, educational programming, and the scholarship programs,” says Gord Duncan, Board President. “We have incredibly talented young people in this region, and we are honoured to assist them as they develop their skills even further.”
The Scholarship Awards Program is generously supported in memory of Jane Hutcheson, a champion of the arts in Huntsville, and the lead supporter of HfA’s 2022-2023 Educational Programs. Since 1997, a total of $68,000 has been awarded to 52 Senior candidates in addition to $14,750 awarded to 35 recipients of Junior and Intermediate Scholarships over the same time period
For more information on the scholarship program, visit www.huntsvillefestival.ca , call 705-788-2787 or e-mail hannah@huntsvillefestival.ca