Alberta University of the Arts
You’ve chosen an institution and your area of interest. Now, how are you going to pay for it? A degree of any kind can be expensive to pursue, and a visual arts degree is no exception, but there are ways to ease the financial burden. Here’s a guide to funding your art education.
1. Scholarships
Scholarships can be a great way to finance your art education. But how do you access scholarships? The following resources can help you navigate the most suitable scholarships to fund your post-secondary education.
Websites
Scholarship finder websites are helpful tools for searching for academic grants. Here are some of the most popular websites:
StudentAwards helps students navigate scholarships by province, school, award value, difficulty and level of study. It then sends scholarship information directly to students’ inboxes. You may also look for scholarships using a filtered search option and browse through articles related to alternative financing options and managing your finances.
ScholarTree is exclusive to students in Canada and enables companies and individuals to start scholarships. Students create a free profile, which matches them with suitable awards and scholarships.
ScholarshipsCanada is part of the SchoolFinder group and lists more than 93,000 awards and an estimated $249 million in student financial aid.
According to the 2022 report on scholarships in Canada, seven per cent of scholarships are specific to creative arts programs, with an average scholarship value of $2,668 and a median average of $1,857.
The Canadian government's list of funding resources for performing and visual arts features information on financial assistance for artists and art training institutions. Sixty-three per cent of these scholarships are provided by universities, 21 per cent from colleges and the remainder by non-educational institutions, including the federal and provincial governments.
Art organizations and funding bodies
Regional arts organizations and grant-funding bodies are also resources.
The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) is a Government of Alberta agency that provides funding to the performing, literary, and visual arts sectors from lottery proceeds. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Scholarship is awarded annually to a young Albertan visual artist enrolled in an accredited visual arts training program.
Arts Nova Scotia is the provincial funding agency that offers grants and prizes in the arts, professional artist support and arts education initiatives. Applicants can request money for materials, equipment rentals and more. Not sure if you’re a right fit? Take their qualification quiz.
British Columbia Arts Council (BCAC) facilitates grants, education and research to promote the arts and culture in the province. The B.C. Arts Council scholarship program is exclusive to residents enrolled in full-time post-secondary arts programs and “high school half-day pre-professional dance programs.” Students may receive between $3,000 and $6,000.
Manitoba Arts Council offers scholarships to encourage training and education in all artistic areas for full-time Manitoban students attending accredited educational institutions. Its scholarship program is available for both domestic and international students studying art.
Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (ArtsNL) is a non-profit that collaborates with the provincial government to promote arts and culture in Newfoundland and Labrador. Their Arts and Letters Program is open to emerging artists of any age.
Ontario Arts Council distributes funding, awards, and scholarships in various areas, such as craft, performing arts, literature and more.
Saskatchewan Arts Board (SAB) offers services, programs, and grants to groups and individuals whose activities impact the arts in Saskatchewan. The Prince Edward Arts Scholarship is administered to Saskatchewan students pursuing arts programs at recognized post-secondary or training institutions.
2. Work-study programs
Work-study or co-op programs will allow you to earn money to cover school expenses while gaining hands-on experience relevant to your degree. Co-ops often alternate academic study periods and work terms. Not only do they offer financial support, but they also provide networking opportunities that lead to potential job offers post-graduation.
The Government of Canada has a list of validated post-secondary academic institutions and programs which allow students to navigate institutions offering co-op services for art degree courses.
3. Federal grants and loans
The Government of Canada provides a range of grants for students in partnership with the provincial governments. However, some federal grants are only offered alongside student loan services. Which means you have to take out a loan to receive grant money.
Post-secondary students can apply for federal grants and loans through the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. The program is available for both full-time and part-time students. A student's eligibility varies depending on their family income, tuition fees and expenses, dependents and respective territory of residency.
These loans are interest-free while at school. After the last day of school, students enter a six-month non-repayment period, during which no interest will be charged to their balance, and they will not be required to repay their loan. Read the terms and conditions before applying.
Anyone can get funding as long as they know where to look. Whether it be loans or scholarships, there are organizations and funding bodies that allocate financial assistance to students. However, make sure to look up repayment instructions before taking out a loan and be careful not to overextend your obligations beyond your ability to repay. We advise you to dedicate time to researching these resources, their eligibility criteria, application deadlines and terms and conditions. And good luck! ■
Also see: Visual Arts Grads Can Find Jobs, Life Satisfaction
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