Art scholarships for students, programs

The Center for the Arts believes the arts are essential to a student’s complete education and with so many cuts in programs the CFA believes it is their mission to keep the arts alive in local schools by supporting teachers and the school administrators in their efforts to provide creative programming for all of their students.

And to that end, the Center for the Arts Arts Education Fund is available to any teacher in the 12 towns of the Lake Sunapee Region, for teacher-led classroom projects and school-wide programs.

Last year the CFA funded live and virtual programs at both the Kearsarge Regional Schools and the Sunapee Schools: an interview with Wampanoag CheeNulka, the Covid Memorial Flag Project, Portsmouth Brass Quintet Concert, and a special program with Abenaki Culture Bearer Jesse Bruchac.

This year they were delighted to fund the Labyrinth project at KRHS which is being used now by several different departments in collaborative programs across the curriculum, and this Spring, will fund YouthBeatz, a percussion enrichment program for elementary students.

One example of the reach of these collaborative efforts between the CFA, teachers and schools is a recent presentation by inspirational African American artist, Richard Haynes.

Haynes, a renowned artist, culture keeper and visual story teller, who is currently exhibiting at the Davidow Center for Arts and Design at Colby-Sawyer College, visited students at Kearsarge Regional Middle School this past week, as part of the CFA Arts Education Program. Haynes tells impactful stories through his art, stories of the Underground Railroad, the history of jazz, and much more. In his presentation, he explained his artistic process and used his gift as an artist as an example to inspire students to find their own gifts. With dramatic emphasis, Haynes explained that without hard work and an education, their gifts may not be realized, education is ultimately your ticket to success, giving you freedom and power in your life. His final words were for students to believe in their own gifts and then plan, prepare and work hard.

“The students loved it! They were so inspired by his words,” said KRMS art teacher Karla Salathe, of Haynes’ presentation. (Students) “had some fantastic questions at the end. Richard was so thoughtful in answering every single one. Some students thanked me for hosting him. I also saw some students of color who were really proud to have such a dynamic person of color presenting at their school. I saw pride in their eyes. Staff loved it as well. Overall, we were very impressed.”

In addition to the Arts Education Program, the CFA also offers scholarships to talented students in our region who dream of a future in dance, music, theater, writing or the visual arts. These students are the future of the arts, and the CFA acknowledges their passion and talent by providing them financial support.

$30,000 has been awarded over the past five years and 2022 applications are currently available. Scholarships are possible for summer programs as well as for high school seniors pursuing a college education in the arts.

The CFA encourages creative students to visit centerfortheartsnh.org/scholarships for more information and applications.