Opportunities

Summer Deadlines and Events (July – August)

Colleges that Change Lives College Fair
Date: Sunday, July 28, 2019
Location: Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City
Time: 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. (the two presentations are identical, plan to attend only one)
Cost: Free
Who may attend: Open to everyone, no pre-registration required

Since 1998, CTCL has offered a national series of information sessions and college fairs for students, parents, and college counselors. Each session begins with an enlightening 30-minute presentation on today’s college search process, which is followed immediately by a college fair that lasts for approximately 1.5 hours, where students can meet with representatives from dozens of excellent schools.

During the college fair, students and families are invited to collect information from and speak directly with admission representatives from the colleges and universities that inspired the book Colleges That Change Lives.

Ryman Arts College Preparation Day at Otis College of Art & Design
Date: Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Location: Otis College of Art & Design, 9045 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Who may attend: Current Ryman Arts students, and Ryman Arts alumni, and their parents

Join us for this day of college preparation, specially created for Ryman Arts students and alumni, and their families. Participants will learn about applying to art school, preparing a portfolio for your application, and also get an overview of the financial aid process. The portfolio preparation and financial aid presentations will be general, applying to all colleges, not just Otis. For those of you who are interested in learning more about Otis, there will be a campus tour, and even one on one portfolio reviews with admissions counselors if you would like one.

This will be a great day to meet other Ryman Arts families, learn more about college, and spend time on the Otis campus. The event and parking on campus are free, any Ryman Arts student or alumnus may sign up to come and bring his or her family along. Sign up by calling the Ryman Arts office at 213-629-ARTS (2787) or emailing intern@ryman.org

back to top

Fall Deadlines and Events (September – November)

The Big Draw
Date: throughout October, annually 

Location: events take place all over Southern California! 

Cost: Free
Who may attend: Open to everyone

The Big Draw LA creates opportunities for people of all ages to discover that drawing can help us SEE, THINK and INVENT. Ryman Arts students and alumni may participate in our annual Make Your Mark in the Park flagship event in Grand Park. And anyone can create their own event for The Big Draw LA and post in on the website at www.thebigdrawla.org

Los Angeles Performing and Visual Arts College Fair
Date: Sunday, September 22, 2019
Location: UCLA - Ackerman Union
Time: 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Who may attend: Open to everyone

National College Match Program / Questbridge
Deadline: September 26, 2019
Eligible: Low-income high school seniors
Can provide : Full four-year college scholarship
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? No, but visit their website for details.

The QuestBridge National College Match is designed for high school seniors who have shown outstanding academic ability despite facing economic challenges.

If you are a student who has achieved academic excellence in the face of economic challenges, we encourage you to apply to the National College Match. You may be concerned about tuition costs, but QuestBridge's partner colleges offer generous financial aid packages that cover 100% of demonstrated financial need, making them very affordable for low-income students.

Matchlighters College Counseling Scholarship
Deadline: October 1, 2019 (but better to apply much earlier)
Eligible: Graduate school or transfer applicants, high school seniors or second-semester juniors who have a 3.0 GPA or better and meet income guidelines
Can provide : One on one help on your college search from an expert, at no charge
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? No

The Matchlighters Scholarship comprises two hours of college list development and four hours of one-on-one essay help from experienced counselors — at no cost. It’s awarded to high-achieving, low-income students who have solid grades, but just need a little extra help. The deadline isn't until October but we recommend that you apply as soon as possible if you are eligible. You can find more information here.

National Portfolio Day
Date: Sunday, November 10, 2019
Location: Otis College of Art & Design
Time: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Who may attend: Open to everyone

National Portfolio Day is a chance for you to share your portfolio with representatives from colleges across the country.

NFAA youngARTS program
Eligible: Young artists in grades 10-12 or ages 15-18 on December 1, 2019 may apply.
Can provide : Cash Awards and youngARTS week in Miami, FL
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? Yes

The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts sponsors youngARTS as their core program. It provides recognition and awards to young artists across the country. They encourage and recognize artistic excellence in nine art forms: dance, cinematic arts, jazz, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice, and writing.

youngARTS finalists share a total benefit package including an all-expense-paid trip to Miami, Florida, in January for youngARTS Week and individual cash awards ranging from $250 to $10,000.

Simply by registering, your name is shared with many colleges and universities that offer scholarships to students involved in the arts. All youngARTS participants are eligible for college scholarships.

To submit your application to Ryman Arts first, use this link to upload: http://www.rymanarts.org/nfaa-youngarts-entry

back to top

Winter Deadlines and Events (December – February)

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2019
Deadline: December 2019
Eligible: Artists in grades 7 - 12
Can provide : Scholarships, Exhibitions, and College Preparation
Required to be a U.S. Citizen to apply? No

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers invites students in grades 7 - 12 to participate in The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation's longest-running, largest, most prestigious recognition program for creative teenagers in the visual and literary arts.

National Portfolio Day
Date: Sunday, January 13, 2019
Location: ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena
Time: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Who may attend: Open to everyone

Ryman Arts Oxbow School Scholarship
Deadline: Priority Deadline February 2020. Applications accepted year round.
Who is eligible: Ryman Arts students or alumni applying to attend in their junior or senior year of high school
Can provide: Scholarship to Oxbow School
Location: Napa, California

Oxbow School is a residential, one-semester art high school located in Napa, California. Oxbow is offering a merit scholarship of $10,000 to support one eligible Ryman Arts student or alumnus in attending their program. In addition to the merit scholarship, The Oxbow School will meet the remaining financial need to enable the student to attend for one semester.

To learn more, talk to Rebecca at Ryman Arts.

Idyllwild Arts Summer Youth Arts Program
Ryman Arts Scholarship Deadline: February 2020
Who is eligible for the scholarship: Ryman Arts students and alumni 18 and under
Scholarships directly through Idyllwild: Given out beginning in March on a first come, first served basis.
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? No

Since 1950, the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program has created a unique learning environment for children, youth, and adults through an intensive, individual exploration of the arts. Located in California's San Jacinto Mountains, the Program's 205-acre campus provides an outstanding setting for specific art-centered programs, as well as special workshops, festivals and performances. All in all, it provides an unforgettable experience for dreamers of any age.

At Idyllwild, students live on campus in dorms and take art classes every day for two weeks. This immersive program, while demanding, provides a competition-free environment. An exceptional faculty works closely with each student, stressing individual growth while encouraging achievement.

To apply for a scholarship through Ryman Arts, contact Rebecca Tuynman for a copy of the application or download it here.

CSSSA: California State Summer School for the Arts
Deadline: February 28, 2020
Dates: July - August 2020
Location: California Institute for the Arts (CalArts), Valencia
Cost: $1550 for tuition, room and board. Many full and partial scholarships are available, nobody turned away due to inability to pay.
Who is eligible : High School students
Must be a US Citizen to apply?: No

The California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) is a residential summer art program at the California Institute for the Arts in Valencia, CA. This year it takes place from July 14 - August 10. They provide full-time art instruction in visual arts as well as dance, animation, music, creative writing and theater. It is open to students grade 8 - 12, and financial aid is available. Many Ryman Arts students have attended this program, and several of our faculty teach there or have taught there in the past.

back to top

Spring Deadlines and Events (March – June)

Congressional District Student Art Competitions
Deadline: deadlines vary by district, most are in February or March
Who is eligible : all High School students are eligible within their district
Prize : Scholarships, art supplies, exhibition of artwork and trip to Washington D.C.
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? No
All Congressional Districts participate in the student art competition. Click the link below to see last year's winners and to find your own congressional district. Go to your congressional district's web site to learn about the competition for your area. To find your congressional district representative's web site, use this website.

Every year, multiple Ryman Arts students win the first prize for their district and travel to Washington, D.C. – this is definitely worth trying out for!

Saving Endangered Species Youth Art Contest
Deadline: March 1, 2019
Who is eligible: K-12 students residing in the United States
Prize: A trip to Washington DC, and an art supply stipend
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? No

This national competition asks you submit artwork depicting a land or ocean dwelling species that either lives in or migrates through the United States and its waters, a plant, or an insect that is found in the U.S., and is currently threatened or endangered. This contest comes from the Endangered Species Coalition. See all the details on their website.

California Art Education Association Scholarships
Deadline: March 1, 2019
Eligible: High School seniors
Can provide : College scholarships, $500-$2500
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? No

The Duane Hagen and Juan Marques Memorial Scholarships for High School Seniors recognize outstanding senior high school art students. Details and instructions on how to apply can be found on their website. Questions can be addressed to CAEAscholarships@gmail.com.

Federal Junior Duck Stamp Competition
Deadline: March 15, 2019
Who is eligible: K-12 students
Prize: Up to $5000 and a trip to Washington DC
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? Yes, applicants must be US Citizens, resident aliens or nationals.

The Duck Stamp Competition is a national art competition for students of all ages. Artists create and submit a depiction of a duck in its natural habitat, creating a stamp for the postal service. Recognition and cash prizes vary, but national winners receive prizes up to $5000 and a trip to Washington D.C. for the First Day of Sale ceremony.

Otis Summer of Art
Ryman Arts Scholarship Application Deadline: March 25, 2019
Dates: July 1 - 26, 2019
Location: Otis College of Art and Design
Cost: $3087, full scholarships available
Who is eligible : All students age 15 and older
Must be a US Citizen to apply?: For scholarship, you must have a tax return from your parents, you don't necessarily have to be a citizen.

Immerse yourself in a dynamic, creative environment with other students who are passionate about art and design. This summer, build and develop your creative and artistic skills while exploring a specific medium or aspect of art and design.
This intensive, four-week, pre-college program is for individuals 15 and older who wish to study at one of the top art and design colleges in the country. Serious young artists seeking to strengthen and enhance their art and design skills, as well as students with limited art training, are invited to participate.

For information on how to apply for a full scholarship just for Ryman Arts students and alumni, contact Rebecca at Ryman Arts or download this flyer.

ArtCenter for Teens Scholarship
Deadline: April 4, 2019
Location: Pasadena
Can provide: Full scholarship for a Saturday class at ArtCenter for Teens
Eligible: Teens in grades 9-12 who have financial need
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? No

ArtCenter College of Design has classes for youth, called ArtCenter for Teens. You can take classes at their Pasadena campus on Saturdays in a really wide variety of media. You can further your studies of drawing and painting, or you can take classes in photography, graphic design, fashion design, sculpture, and more! ArtCenter is known for some unique majors like Entertainment Design, which focuses on characters, storytelling, and creating new worlds in films, video games, and other media—or Transportation Design, which focuses on designing vehicles, and Product Design, which teaches designers how to create new products. There are so many interesting classes to take, and they can help you to figure out what you may want to pursue in college or a career, as well as building up your portfolio.

 

Any teen can sign up and pay for classes, and any teen can apply for a scholarship that covers the cost of the class, even if you’re not in Ryman Arts. But if you are in (or graduated from) Ryman Arts, you may be eligible for a dedicated scholarship for any of their 10-week courses that meet on Saturdays. This scholarship is need-based, you must qualify financially (meaning your family income must be low enough) to receive it.

While the scholarship does require financial information from your family, your citizenship status is not considered. You do not have to be a US Citizen to be eligible for this scholarship. Your financial information or personal information will not be shared with anyone outside of Ryman Arts and ArtCenter. To learn more about the scholarship, contact Rebecca at Ryman Arts.

 

CalArts CAP Summer Arts Program (CAPSA)
Application Deadline: May 18, 2018
Class dates:June 18 - July 18, 2018
Location: César E. Chavez Learning Academies, 1001 Arroyo Street, San Fernando, CA 91340
Who is eligible: 9th - 12th graders attending a school in Los Angeles County. You must be between 14- 18 years old on July 10, 2018
Cost: Tuition free (no cost)
Must be US Citizen to apply: No

The CAPSA Program is a tuition-free three week intensive arts program.

Classes are offered in Acting, Animation, Dance, Music, and Visual Arts. Each workshop is led by the world-renowned faculty of CalArts and CalArts student instructors who introduce CAPSA participants to the studio environment and provide guidance in creating original works of art. **Classes in Creative Writing, Film, and Digital Photography may be added. If you are interested in these programs, we encourage you to apply now. We will notify you to confirm the status of these program additions.

You will visit Los Angeles' most prominent arts institutions, attend talks with accomplished visiting artists, learn about college applications and financial aid programs, and exhibit or perform your work in an arts festival for family and friends!

UCLA Department of Art, Summer Art Institute
Deadline: April 1, 2019
Dates: July 2019, dates vary
Location: UCLA campus
Who is eligible: Students enrolled in 8th - 12th grade during Spring 2019
Cost: $2,143, scholarships available
Must be a US Citizen to apply? No

Experience campus life at UCLA this summer as an artist! The Summer Art Institute is designed for exceptionally talented and motivated high school students.

These two-week summer institutes in studio art are designed for talented and highly motivated high school students. Each session is structured around a combination of focused studio work, lectures, presentations, field trips, and a final exhibition of student work in the New Wight Gallery. The program's curriculum, created and supervised by UCLA Department of Art faculty, offers three quarter units of UC credit. Students select from one of two two-week sessions, or enroll in both sessions for a total of six quarter units of UC credit.  To apply for a full or partial scholarhship, visit http://www.summer.ucla.edu/summerscholarssupport

Inner-City Filmmakers Summer Program
Application Deadline: April 1, 2019
Class dates: Summer 2019
Location: Santa Monica & Field trips around Los Angeles
Who is eligible: 12th graders graduating from high school this semester
Cost: Sliding scale tuition, depending on financial need
Must be US Citizen to apply: No

Inner-City Filmmakers provides free year-round high quality hands-on training and job placement services for diverse disadvantaged youth, ages 17-22, who are high school graduates. Youth accepted into Inner-City Filmmakers gain artistic, technical, business, and life skills, which successfully prepares them for college, real-life, and entry-level jobs behind-the-scenes in the entertainment industry, where they aspire to build careers but have little access, thus we help reshape their lives and change their futures.
Established in 1993, Inner-City Filmmakers (ICF) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with a successful track record and long-lasting partnerships in education, the private sector, and throughout the entertainment industry. They are dedicated to empowering and creating lasting positive change in the lives of diverse disadvantaged youth because we believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to reach their fullest potential.
Please email Fred Heinrich (fredheinrich@earthlink.net) for an application and learn more on their website (innercityfilmmakers.com).

CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship
Deadline: March 31, 2019
Eligible: see below
Can provide : $3000 scholarship
Required be a US Citizen to apply? Yes, or a permanent resident.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation provides ten scholarships a year to students studying Visual Arts in college.

To be eligible for a CBC Spouses Visual Arts scholarship, applicants must:

  • U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident
  • Currently/planning to be enrolled in the upcoming academic year as a full-time undergraduate student
  • Have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Be pursuing a major and career in a visual art
  • Exhibit leadership and community service
  • Selected applicants will be qualified African-American or black students

Questions: Call (202) 263-2800 or email scholarships@cbcfinc.org for additional information.

UC Irvine Summer Academies in the Arts
Application Deadline: April 29, 2019
Class dates: July & August , 2019. Individual class dates vary.
Location: UC Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts
Who is eligible: Middle School and High School students
Cost: $700-$1000 per class. Many full and partial scholarships available.
Must be US Citizen to apply: No

The Summer Academies in the Arts are college and career preparatory intensives for high school and middle school students to attend focused workshops in Art, Dance, Drama and Music that enhance students’ marketable skills and support career goals, self-confidence and leadership. Talented and motivated Summer Academy students receive practical conservatory-style instruction in small classes taught by graduate instructors, professionals in the field and, in some cases, Claire Trevor School of the Arts faculty.Students experience life as undergraduate arts majors through technical and practical training in each discipline. Coursework is intended to be rigorous and as close to college level as possible.
 

WorldStudio Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: April 24, 2019
Eligible: Minority and economically disadvantaged students who are studying design and arts disciplines. See website for additional requirements.
Can provide : $500 - $6000 scholarships
Required be a US Citizen to apply? Yes, or have a green card.

WorldStudio Foundation provides scholarships to minority and economically disadvantaged students who are studying the design/arts disciplines in U.S. colleges and universities. Among the Foundation’s primary aims are to increase diversity in the creative professions and to foster social and environmental responsibility in the artists, designers, and studios of tomorrow.

back to top

Year-Round Opportunities

Free Museum Day website – listing of free admission days at Los Angeles museums.

Ryman Arts Oxbow School Scholarship
Who is eligible: Ryman Arts students or alumni applying to attend in their junior or senior year of high school
Can provide: Scholarship to Oxbow School
Location: Napa, California

Oxbow School is a residential, one-semester art high school located in Napa, California. Oxbow is offering a merit scholarship of $10,000 to support one eligible Ryman Arts student or alumnus in attending their program. In addition to the merit scholarship, The Oxbow School will meet the remaining financial need to enable the student to attend for one semester.

To learn more, talk to Rebecca at Ryman Arts.

Otis Continuing Education
Cost: Classes vary in price, starting at $145 a semester. Scholarships available.
Who is eligible: Age 5 through adult
Location: Otis College of Art and Design
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? No

Otis College of Art and Design's Continuing Education offers a wide range of beginning, intermediate, and advanced art and design courses for all ages on weekends and evenings, as well as special summer programs. These courses enable you to pursue your artistic and professional development, as well as your personal and intellectual growth.

Classes are offered every day. If you are a current Ryman Arts student, you may be interested in taking a class on a Sunday, before or after your Ryman Arts class. If you are a parent or sibling of a current Ryman Arts student, it might be fun to take a class through Continuing Education while you're waiting for your Ryman student to finish class.

Classes can be taken for college credit for an additional fee. See all the classes, and learn more about fees and registration, at their website. You can also call the Continuing Education office at (310) 665-6850 x53.

Venice Arts
Cost: Free for low income families
Who is eligible: Artists age 10 - 18
Can Provide: Classes in photography and film
Location: Venice Arts Gallery 1702 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Venice Arts offers beginning to advanced youth photography, filmmaking, and media arts workshops for children ages 10-18. Please email info@venice-arts.org or call (310) 392-0846 for prices.

Armory Center for the Arts
Cost: Art High classes for ages 15-18 are free of charge.
Classes for other age groups charge tuition, but some scholarships are available.
Location: 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? No
The Armory offers studio art classes year round to all ages.

Free Arts Workshops at Inner-City Arts
Cost: Free to Ryman Arts students, and middle school and High School students in LAUSD schools in local districts 4, 5 & 7. For all other students, workshops are $90 for the 10-week session.
Who is Eligible: Students and adults
Location: Inner-City Arts, 720 Kohler Street, Downtown Los Angeles, 90021
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? No

Inner-City Arts offers classes in Dance Choreography, Stand-Up Comedy, Film Production, Graphic Design, Animation, Theater Arts and Visual Arts.

For more information: Call Brenda de Santiago at 213-627-9621 or visit their website.

Teen Media Initiative
Cost: Free!
Who is eligible? LA County high school students
Location: Da Vinci Design High School room #208, 12501 S. Isis Avenue, Hawthorne, CA 90250
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? No

FREE Web-based Technology and Media Program
Open to all high school students - space is limited

  • Learn web-based skills that can help you in future jobs
  • Apply for paid jobs as a TMI Techie after training is complete
  • Learn how to manage your money and what it means to “pay it forward.”
  • Work with other high school students to become young professionals.

If you have questions, please contact tmicoordinator@insideoutca.org or call 310.397.8820 x111.

Emma L. Bowen Scholars
Deadline: applications accepted on a rolling basis
Eligible: Minority High School juniors and seniors and college freshman. Must have GPA of 3.0 and be a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency status in the U.S.
Can provide : Five year paid internship with media company, matching funds to pay for your college tuition, training in media career, mentorship program
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? Yes

The Emma L. Bowen Foundation was created in 1989 to prepare minority youth for careers in the media industry. The Foundation’s program is unlike traditional intern programs in that students work for partner companies during summers and school breaks from the summer following their junior year in high school until they graduate from college. During the five-year program, students have an opportunity to learn many aspects of corporate operations and develop company-specific skills. Corporations have an opportunity to train and mentor students with the option of fulltime employment upon completion of their college degrees.

Students earn an hourly salary and matching funds for college expenses. An annual student conference, a community service program and a mentoring program are also provided to further enhance the student’s knowledge and experience.

This unique, multi-year program prepares a diverse group of talented young professionals to enter the workforce with specific job-related skills, knowledge of the corporate environment and a strong foundation for future advancement.

You can contact the Emma Bowen Foundation's west coast office at 818-655-5708, or visit their website.

Echo Park Film Center
Deadline: Classes take place year-round
Eligible: Students local to Echo Park, but if you're really interested call and talk to them and ask
Can Provide: Free film classes!
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? No

Echo Park Film Center is a non-profit media arts organization committed to providing equal and affordable community access to film/video resources.
1200 N. Alvarado St. Los Angeles, California 90026 (213) 484-8846  info@echoparkfilmcenter.org

 

Skirball Teen Corps at the Skirball Cultural Center
Deadline: Currently accepting applications
Eligible: Current high school students in grades 9-12
Can Provide: Volunteer hours, work experience in the arts
Required to be a US Citizen to apply? No

The Skirball Cultural Center seeks friendly, outgoing, and motivated teens to join the Skirball Teen Corps. By participating in this volunteer program, teens gain community service credit, professional experience in a museum setting, exposure to arts and cultural events, and the chance to work alongside museum staff and other teens from around Los Angeles.

 

 

back to top