Do you see the world through a kaleidoscope of colors, rhythms, or emotions just waiting to be expressed? Are you a first-generation BIPOC high school senior with a burning passion for visual, studio, or performing arts? Imagine a world where every vibrant color, every bold stroke, every whispered melody finds its voice. Ignite Arts & STEM believes that's the world BIPOC artists deserve. But the reality is, for many, that canvas remains blank, their artistic dreams overshadowed by systemic barriers. Ignite Arts and STEM wants to help transform your artistic vision into reality with the Palette & Purpose Scholarship.
The Problem:
While the arts enrich our lives, inspire social change, and fuel economic growth, BIPOC communities face significant barriers to artistic careers. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, only 17% of working artists identify as BIPOC, despite representing nearly 40% of the US population. This underrepresentation stems from a complex web of factors, including limited access to arts education, financial constraints, andsystemic bias.
The facts:
In order to broaden the perspectives reflected in art, it’s critical to uplift artistic BIPOC students. That's where Palette & Purpose comes in. This scholarship is not just granting financial aid, the goal is to dismantle these barriers and ignite the vibrant futures of BIPOC artists. This scholarship is more than just ink on paper – it's a key that unlocks doors to opportunity, and community.
This isn't just a scholarship, it's a masterpiece in the making. We believe your brushstrokes deserve a chance to paint a brighter future for yourself and the arts. Come, let's fill the world with your colors.
To apply, tell us your story. In your essay, please address all the following:
Optional:
Creative crescendo: Go beyond words! Showcase your passion through an original piece – a melody that stirs the soul, a poem that paints vivid landscapes, a painting, drawing or photograph that captures the essence of humanity. Let your art speak volumes!
Provide a creative example to demonstrate why you’re passionate about the arts, where/how you demonstrated leadership, how you’re hoping to benefit the world with your arts career, and how the books you’ve read have shaped your goals (essay, short film, original song, etc).
The application deadline is Apr 13, 2024. Winners will be announced on May 13, 2024.
Your privacy is a top priority on the Bold.org platform, and you can find our privacy policy in full here. You may opt out of communications from Bold.org at any time, and unless we’ve first notified you and gotten your consent, you’ll never receive communication from any third parties related to personal information you give us.
Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on May 13, 2024. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.