The Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council is offering $300 Arts Scholarships for Youth in grades 7–12, and $200 for students in grades 3-6, who live in the 9-county area, announces Brenda Byron, PLRAC Executive Director. Students can apply for funds by taking lessons with an Instructor over a period of months, etc. Artistic areas include dance, literature, media arts, music, theater, visual art, folk and traditional art. The application for grades 7-12 is due October 1, 2021 and grades 3-6 is due November 1, 2021. There is only one deadline per year. Students must live in the nine-county region that Prairie Lakes serves including: Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, LeSueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca and Watonwan Counties.
Prairie Lakes values an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community and this is reflected in our policies and program for youth. We encourage Black, Indigenous and Students of Color to apply, also those who have financial need, or have a disability. If you need assistance in the application process, please contact the PLRAC office and we would be happy to assist you.
These scholarships are competitive. They are not based on financial need but rather for students that are active and excelling in their art form; and are being rewarded for their goals, ambitions, and achievement. The on-going learning component of the lessons, classes, etc. is an important factor. Lessons can be conducted in-person or online via Skype, Zoom, or other live platforms.
Students in grades 7-12 must be participating with an instructor, an organization or arts discipline for at least 2 years to be eligible. Students in grades 3-6 must be participating for at least one year to be eligible. Both age groups require an online letter of recommendation from a teacher as part of their application.
The scholarship can be used to take lessons and pay a private Instructor or pay fees to a non-profit arts organization serving youth such as: Area Art Centers, Dance Conservatory of Southern MN, Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra, Mankato Ballet Company, Mankato Children’s Chorus, Mankato or New Ulm Suzuki School of Music, other youth dance or music organizations, or art centers and groups which offer art classes to youth, etc. Students may not use this scholarship to participate in a school or organization band or choir trip, or other arts trips.
Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council has an online grant process. Go to our website www.plrac.org and click on the applicant Login button. Follow the instructions to register as an artist for the Youth Scholarship and complete the application. If you have questions contact: Brenda Byron, Executive Director, at the PLRAC office in Waseca, 1-800–298-1254 or plrac@hickorytech.net.
In FY 2021 a total of 108 students were awarded Youth Scholarships, for a total of $27,300 from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. This is part of the Legacy funding from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment that Prairie Lakes receives from the State Legislature. We also provide grants to Non-profit Arts Organizations, Community Groups and Schools, and awarded over $380,000 last year.
The Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council is committed to supporting and expanding the arts in the nine-county area; knowing that the Arts improve the quality of life in our region. We serve a nine-county area including Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, LeSueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties.