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 our 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, dance, or technical skills (ie stage management, lighting or sound design). Over ninety local youth have received financial support since the program’s inception in 1997. 2023 recipients include Evin Park (saxophone), Gwynne Daynard (violin voice), Simon Johnson (piano/violin), Silas Knappet (drums), Patricia Mann (piano), Rachel White (voice), Sam Beattie (voice).
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 February 29th 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 March 25th 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.
“Helping our multi-talented local young people develop a deeper appreciation for the arts is something the HFA is passionate about,” says Cydney Jones, Board President, “as such, providing them with the financial assistance to pursue educational opportunities in the arts through this scholarship program is both our honour and our responsibility.”
The Scholarship Awards Proram is generously supported in memory of Jane Hutcheson, a champion of the arts in Huntsville, and the lead supporter of HfA’s Educational Programs. Since 1997 a total of $73,000 has been awarded to 60 Senior candidates, $15,500 to 38 junior/intermediate candidates over the same period.
For more information on the scholarship program, visit www.huntsvillefestival.ca , call 705-788-2787 or e-mail hannah@huntsvillefestival.ca
