Riverside-Brookfield Landmark
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The Oak Park Area Arts Council is inviting senior students planning to pursue higher education in fine arts to apply for three scholarships the nonprofit is offering this year.
Each scholarship awards $2,500. Start drafting essays soon — the deadline to apply is January 17, 2025.
For more than 40 years, OPAAC has been supporting local artists in Oak Park, Forest Park, and River Forest. Continuing its commitment to fostering artistic talent, the nonprofit is encouraging local students to pursue their dreams through these annual scholarships.
“We’ve been awarding scholarships since 1997; that was the first $500 scholarship,” said Camille Wilson White, executive director of OPAAC. “Fine arts scholarships are open to any graduating senior who is going to major in the arts in college.”
In addition to the fine art scholarship, OPAAC offers another scholarship established by the Lissuzzo family in memory of Russell C. Lissuzzo, an architect and jazz musician from Oak Park who died in 2007. Instead of purchasing flowers, the family chose to honor Lissuzzo by creating a scholarship in his name. This scholarship is open to any senior planning to major in architecture in college.
White also announced the Bobby Raymond Scholarship.
“Bobby was the founder of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center a long time ago,” White said. “She was an artist, and when she passed away, her family also established a scholarship fund in her name.”
That award is designed for students who major in visual arts.
There is still time to apply. According to White, OPAAC has distributed applications to counselors and art teachers at high schools in the Oak Park and River Forest areas, including those teaching performing arts, choral music, theater, band and visual arts. Once applications are submitted, students are reviewed by a special committee.
The committee evaluates students based on their artistic submissions, whether they pertain to visual art, dance, theater performances or singing. Applicants are also assessed on their community service and must write a short essay explaining how growing up in Oak Park, attending school, and living in a diverse community have shaped their lives. Finalists are invited for face-to-face interviews to determine the winners.
Students must submit an unofficial transcript with their application. However, the committee will only review grades related to the arts.
After winners are selected, schools will be notified, and scholarship funds will be transferred directly to universities. Recipients will also be celebrated during a large school event for all scholarship honorees.
Establishing a scholarship through OPAAC is a meaningful way to preserve the legacy of a loved one.
“We’re always open to establishing a scholarship fund in a loved one’s memory. I think it’s a great way to honor and salute your loved one by helping a young student with freshmen year expenses like books, meal plans, and tuition,” White said.
Interested students can apply for these scholarships by visiting https://oakparkareaartscouncil.org/scholarships-2/.
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