Scholarships available for young artists

The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) is now accepting applications for the 2008 class of the Young Masters scholarships program. The scholarships will help promising young school-aged students in Texas to excel in the arts.

The Young Masters Program will provide exemplary arts students in grades 8-12 with the financial help they need to pursue advanced study in the areas of visual arts, literature, music, theatre, dance and media arts.

Only the most talented young artists will receive the title of Young Master and will be granted $2,500 scholarships per year to further their studies in their chosen arts disciplines. All proposed artistic training programs should be completed during the period of May 1, 2008 through August 31, 2008. Students are eligible to receive the scholarship for up to three years, but they must reapply annually. Young Mas- ters scholarships are not available for collegiate study.

"For the past six years, the Commission has seen impressive ar tistic advancement among our Young Masters who attended such prestigious summer programs as the School of Visual Arts in New York, the Chicago Art Institute, Julliard, the American dance Festival, Ann Reinking's Broadway Theatre Project and Tangkewood," said TCA Executive Director Ricardo Hernandez. "We are eager to give a fresh group of young people this unprecedented opportunity to achieve a mastery that many artists only dream of attaining."

All Texas students who are U.S. citizens and who are participating in a school-based program, a summer institute, or a specialized course of study; or who are receiving private lessons from a qualified professional instructor are encouraged to apply. In order to be consid- ered, students must maintain passing grades in all academic areas, and it's important to note that the applicants compete against a standard of excellence, not each other.

A brief narrative describing an applicant's course of study and detailing how the student will use the scholarship to advance his/her artistic abilities must accompany all applications. A budget indicating anticipated expenditures will also be required. Applicants must also provide evidence of their previous efforts in the arts by submitting a portfolio, a cassette tape, videotape, slides or some other representation of their creative work.

Applications for the Young Masters program may be obtained by calling TCA at (512) 936-6563 or by visiting http:// www.arts.state.tx.us. All applications and support documents must be postmarked by Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007.