LoginJoin Bold.org
For DonorsFor Applicants
LoginJoin Bold.org
Get in touch
Donor Inquiries
donors@bold.org
Award Inquiries
awards@bold.org
Student Inquiries
contact@bold.org
Join 300k+ followers across
Donors
How It WorksBold FoundationDonor FAQTerms & ConditionsDonor Help Center
Applicants
Scholarship RulesScholarship BlogWinnersStudent Help Center
Get the app
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
Scholarship Categories
Graduate School ScholarshipsNo-Essay ScholarshipsScholarships for Nursing StudentsMerit-Based ScholarshipsHigh School ScholarshipsScholarships for Black StudentsScholarships for WomenUndergraduate ScholarshipsScholarships for High School SeniorsExplore More Scholarship Categories
Company
About UsContact UsCareersPress CenterPartnershipsReviews
©2026 All Rights Reserved. Bold.org, Inc.
Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyDo Not Sell My Personal Information

Terry Masters Memorial Scholarship

Funded by
user profile avatar
Masters Family
$1,500
1 winner$1,500
Open
Apply Now
Application Deadline
Dec 14, 2026
Winners Announced
Jan 15, 2027
Education Level
Any
Share
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
Field of Interest:
Fine arts (plein air painting preferred)
Education Level:
Field of Interest:
High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
Fine arts (plein air painting preferred)

Terry Masters was a beloved and award-winning oil painter who is best known for his passion and immense talent for plein air painting - the act of painting outdoors in natural light versus in a studio or enclosed setting.

Among his many accolades and awards, Terry held the distinguished honor of being a California Art Club Signature Artist. He could often be found exploring the Southern California desert where he lived; setting up his easel in a remote spot and painting the stunning pieces he was best known for.  

Terry loved nothing more than to be outside in the fresh air, finding inspiration for his canvas in the beauty of the everyday world around us. A gifted artist, teacher, and friend, Terry was also known for his generous spirit and warm heart.

This scholarship aims to continue Terry’s legacy of giving by inspiring others to embrace and pursue the same passion and joy that Terry found in painting outdoors and to honor his memory through excellence in the arts for years to come.

This scholarship is for painters (oil, acrylic, watercolor, ink, gouache) only. Any high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate pursuing a degree in the fine arts may apply. Candidates who practice plein air (painting in the outdoors) are highly preferred.

To apply, submit a short essay telling us how the everyday world inspires your art and submit 3 images of your original art pieces. Original art only. No reproductions accepted. 

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Scholarships for High School SeniorsGraduate School ScholarshipsScholarships for College SophomoresHigh School ScholarshipsCollege Freshmen ScholarshipsUndergraduate ScholarshipsCalifornia Scholarships
Example Scholarships
Scholarships for College Students
Art ScholarshipsEssay ScholarshipsWriting ScholarshipsCollege Students ScholarshipsCollege Senior ScholarshipsCollege Junior ScholarshipsScholarships for Trade SchoolMemorial ScholarshipsScholarships for Part-Time StudentsScholarships for Drawing
Published January 15, 2026
$1,500
1 winner$1,500
Open
Apply Now
Application Deadline
Dec 14, 2026
Winners Announced
Jan 15, 2027
Education Level
Any
Share
Essay Topic

How does the everyday world around you inspire you as an artist? Additionally, please submit 3 images of your original art pieces.  Applications without art piece submissions will not be considered.

 

50–300 words
Apply Now

Winners and Finalists

January 2026

Winners
Tanya Rastogi
Pleasant Valley High School
Bettendorf, IA
Finalists
Preston Ninmer
Laguna College of Art and Design
Anaheim, CA
Abigail Andrews
St Johns Classical Academy
Starke, FL
Analise Mandujano
Florida Atlantic University
Stuart, FL
YunHee Shin
Westmont High
San Jose, CA
Grace Sweet
Grand Canyon University
Vernon, AZ
Lindsey Porter
Indiana University High School
Indianapolis, IN
Miranda Perez
California Institute of the Arts
Vacaville, CA
Lily Nguyen
Laguna College of Art and Design
Santa Ana, CA
Abigail Whiston
Pensacola Christian College
Rangely, CO
Paige Harris
Ohio University-Main Campus
Fairfield, OH
Mary Clare Teller
Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
Cincinnati, OH
McKenna Klindt
Star Valley High School
Afton, WY
Daegen DeGraff
Cloud County Community College
Concordia, KS

January 2025

Winners
Emily Singleton
Eastern Illinois University
Newland, NC
Finalists
Ayla Carling
Monticello High School
Monticello, UT
Lia Ottinot
Jacksonville University
Coral Springs, FL
Alyssa Halvorson
Moscow High School
Moscow, ID
Melaniya Zazovskaya
College for Creative Studies
Wheeler, WI
William Creel
Maryland Institute College of Art
Wilmington, NC
Elise Ames
Utah State University
Logan, UT
Abigail Andrews
St Johns Classical Academy
Starke, FL
Anna McDowell
Hendersonville High School
Hendersonvlle, TN
James Washington
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
Jose Pozo
California State University-Fullerton
Lake Elsinore, CA
jessie s
Art Center College of Design
Tujunga, CA

January 2024

Winners
Jonathan McHugh
Laguna College of Art and Design
Aliso Viejo, CA
Finalists
Clarissa Salas
University of Southern California
Merced, CA
Perry Coker
The University of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA
Amberlin Smith
University of Wyoming
Casper, WY
Emily James
Marywood University
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Alissa Cantrell
Brigham Young University-Provo
Provo, UT
Catie Cook
Washington University in St Louis
Clayton, MO
LeeAnn Skinner
Washburn University
Topeka, KS
Amelia Kousoulos
Powell High School
Powell, WY

January 2023

Winners
Elizabeth Zbiegien
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Waukesha, WI
Finalists
Kaiya Diestler
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney, NE
Leah Anderson
University of Hartford
Cheshire, CT
Inari Joseph
Texas Connections Academy at Houston
Cedar Hill, TX
Martina Nespor
San Dieguito High School Academy
Encinitas, CA
Kathryn Arbegast
Sperry High School
Rochester, NY
Kylie Howatt
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Argusville, ND

Winning Application

Tanya Rastogi
Pleasant Valley High SchoolBettendorf, IA
Emily Singleton
Eastern Illinois UniversityNewland, NC
The everyday world is my greatest inspiration to my art. Growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the land itself has always been very important to me. I'm constantly drawn to paint places that I have a connection to-- places I feel are 'home' to me. Plein air for this type of work, such as the large wood panel sunset on my best friend's farm, makes the process more deeply personal. I find beauty in the mundane, and the longer I paint, the more I find. Finding secret glimpses of orange tinted in a green tree, the deep purples in a shadow... God has given us a beautiful world full of inspiration, and it's my mission as an art teacher to introduce that love to my students. I, along with Terry Masters and others, have found a passion and stillness in painting that I believe needs to be shared with students unaware of the joy. This is why I'm going back to school to receive my master's degree in art education-- I want to be the best teacher for my students. This scholarship would greatly assist in focusing on my passion for painting and my passion for teaching without worrying about financials. I appreciate the opportunity, and would use the money with great honor to Terry Masters.
Jonathan McHugh
Laguna College of Art and DesignAliso Viejo, CA
Whenever I am in nature, whether in the wilderness or my neighborhood, I cannot stop observing the way light flickers through trees, dances over waves as they crash, ricochets off the jagged angles of rocks, or diffuses through the sky into a golden haze on a distant horizon. I feel profoundly and vividly alive when I am outside in this myriad of sensations. Combining these experiences with my other deepest passion – painting – is an absolute joy for me. Over the years, I have found that my plein air paintings begin to capture an energy that I can rarely replicate in my larger studio works. There is something almost magical about the challenge of conveying the weather, season, time of day, and emotional impact of a scene through paint in real time. I am on a lifelong quest to visually portray my sense of wonder in nature, and the thrill of painting lies in the fact that I never quite succeed but get a little closer with each attempt.
Elizabeth Zbiegien
Milwaukee Institute of Art & DesignWaukesha, WI
I was an outdoor child. I loved rolling in the fresh-cut grass, chasing butterflies, and climbing trees. When I wasn't running around I was creating whatever I could imagine. I didn't want to buy a new shiny dollhouse, I wanted to make it. I created the animals I discovered out of paper and tape, and painted the flowers from the garden. Now as a creative, I want to become a scientific illustrator. Every piece I draw or paint has some sort of greenery or living creature in it. My sister loves photography and I use many of her landscape photos as references for my pieces so they can all have meaning to me. I find inspiration in the smallest details, from the climbing ivy above a door to the cracks in the wall. I have a strong interest in environmental wellness and I want to learn more about sustainability to do my part in fighting for the planet. I have been plant-based for 5 years and vegan for 2 years. I also am conscious of the amount of waste I create. I want my future work and career to focus on promoting environmental issues to work toward positive change.

Explore All Kinds of Scholarships for All Kinds of Students

Graduate School ScholarshipsNo-Essay ScholarshipsScholarships for Nursing StudentsMerit-Based ScholarshipsHigh School ScholarshipsScholarships for Black StudentsScholarships for WomenUndergraduate ScholarshipsScholarships for High School SeniorsView all

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Dec 14, 2026. Winners will be announced on Jan 15, 2027.

How will scholarship application information be used?

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.

What is the scholarship award?

Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.

When will the scholarship winner be chosen? How will they be notified?

The winner will be publicly announced on Jan 15, 2027. 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.

How will the scholarship award be paid?

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.

How will my scholarship application be verified?

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.

How should I get in touch with questions?

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.

Does the scholarship have terms and conditions?

Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.

Apply Now
97% of students don't win scholarships. We’re here to change that.
Start Winning
$43,051,294
LIVE
Awarded to Bold.org Members
user profile avatar
Neva-Britten Holmes
Won $1,000 scholarship
26m ago
Madison Victoria Keith Nursing Scholarship