Scholarships
The Scholarship Fund of the Visual Arts Association of the Villages was started 20 years ago with a directive and strong support from our members. An endowment from a family of a VAA artist, was obtained soon after. And our program has been a highlight ever since!
Art Scholarships
A number of Scholarships of varying amounts are awarded, each spring. Members have continued to raise funds yearly, with a variety of art centered events, in order to financially help high school art majors in our three-county area. We have 80 winners to date, and have given over $167,000 in scholarships.
Each January, applications are sent to all area high schools and teachers of 12th grade art students. Information and articles are shared with the media.
Students submit their art CDs, transcripts and VAA Forms in March. They must be applying for a college major in visual arts. Finalists are notified, and in-person interviews (with actual art pieces) are held in late March for the most qualified candidates. A careful interview and portfolio selection process begins.
In addition to high academic standards, the VAA Scholarship Committee looks to find both talented and well-rounded college bound artists. Community service and activities count.
Our previous VAA winners have attended or are currently in public and private art schools/universities across FL and the Eastern United States. Their majors are in areas such as Architecture, Photography, Graphic Design, Computer Animation, Illustration, Fashion & Stage Design, Art Education….and others.
*** Please visit our Visual Arts Association Scholarship Gallery for past winners, examples of their work & updates (see below). 2025 Scholarship application forms are posted here.
Award Highlights
2024 Art Scholars 2022 Art Scholars
2019 Art Scholars 2018 Art Scholars
2017 Art Scholars 2016 Art Scholars