This roundup of scholarships is full of resources for students pursuing an arts education.
Are you pursuing an arts education? It’s no secret that school is not cheap, and we’re here to help. As part of Playbill’s Back to School Week coverage, we’re helping you get financially ready with a roundup of 18 scholarships for students interested in theatre and the arts. These scholarships can be applied to any university. Though if you have your eye on a particular school, ask the financial aid office what scholarships they provide for enrolled students.
While each of these descriptions and deadlines are up-to-date at the time of publication, interested students should monitor scholarship sites for any changes.
Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship: This award provides $1,000 in financial assistance to Asian American college students pursuing a major in the performing or visual arts, journalism, and/or mass communications. Deadline: Applications open in January 2026 and close in May 2026.
Arts for Life! Scholarship: Arts for Life! recognizes the creativity and artistic talents of high school students throughout Florida. Annually, Arts for Life! awards $1,000 scholarships to 25 Florida high school seniors who demonstrate academic and artistic excellence in creative writing, dance, drama, music or the visual arts. Deadline is February 11, 2026.
American Australian Association Arts Scholarships: The American-Australian Arts Fund provides support of up to USD $10,000 to emerging Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander artists to study or undertake artistic development in each other’s countries respectively. The American Australian Association regularly awards more than 15 arts scholarships and grants per year. Deadline is September 30 with the next round of scholarship applications opening January 1, 2026.
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative: Distributed by the American Theatre Wing, these scholarships help provide financial support to students studying theatre in any discipline.
Cody Reynard Richards Scholarship: This scholarship is for students who identify as Black, Asian, Latinx, Indigenous, or a Person of Color, and are pursuing a degree or a concentration in stage management, technical theatre, theatre design, playwriting, directing, or theatre management. Ten students will receive $10,000. Applications will open October 1.
Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) Scholarships: This group of performing arts scholarships is open to students at various levels of theatre study (from graduating high school senior to college senior). ($1,000-$2,000) Deadline: The scholarship application period is February 1–April 1.
The DAR Marian Anderson Legacy Scholarship: This one-time award is presented annually to a student pursuing undergraduate or graduate study in music, which may include performance, composition, theory, or education. Preference will be given to students from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania metropolitan area. Deadline: Contact [email protected] for more details.
The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship: Open to student performers wishing to pursue further education and professional development, this scholarship offers 16 regional awards ($500 each, to one nominee and one runner up from each region). Select recipients are invited to take week-long, expenses-paid trips to Washington, D.C. to present their scholarship audition to a panel. The two national winners will receive $3,500 scholarships. Deadline: Check based on your region. The 2026 Regional Festivals will be held in January and February.
Islamic Scholarship Fund: ISFF provides scholarships from $3,000 to $10,000 to American Muslim scholars studying and working in fields with the greatest impact on public opinion and policy—among them theatre, writing, and acting. Applicants must be enrolled full-time at an accredited university in the U.S. by August; OR employed full-time in an ISF Supported Field and a part-time student at an accredited university in the U.S. ISF starts accepting applications in November for a period of 5 months. The deadline to submit a complete application is typically in late March.
National Society of High School Scholars Scholarships: Members of NSHSS, for young academics, are eligible for a number of special scholarships. Among the scholarships offered to NSHSS members are $1,000 scholarships for high school or undergraduate students studying theatre, music, or dance. Deadline for the 2025 scholarship cycle is October 28.
The Nellie Love Butcher Music Scholarship: This one-time scholarship is awarded annually to a male and female music student who is pursuing an education in piano or voice. Special consideration is given to students currently attending the Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. (Up to $5,000) Deadline: Contact [email protected] for submissions and more details.
YoungArts: The YoungArts National Competition is open to students ages 15–18, or grades 10–12, in the U.S., who are encouraged to apply in the discipline of their choice for prizes of $250 to $10,000. The disciplines include classical music, dance, jazz, theatre, voice, writing. YoungArts winners are also eligible for additional grant opportunities, including the Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Deadline for the 2026 YoungArts Competition is October 8.
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Over 400 artists have signed a letter penned by the ACLU.
Each performance will feature a different celebrated actor taking on the role of Virgil.
The hit jukebox musical also continues on Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
A new policy that required applicants to make supposed anti-“woke” declarations has been struck down.
Gordon Greenberg is directing the Stephen Schwartz musical for Classic Stage Company.
Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Janine LaManna, Ann Harada, and more from the Ahrens and Flaherty musical’s original company will perform.
The autobiographical musical from Jenny Giering and Sean Barry is currently playing Theatre Raleigh.
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