Art Scholarships
Art scholarships are available to eligible high school juniors,seniors and college students who are:
Residents of Ojai and the Ojai Valley
Pursuing a career in visual arts, such as painting, graphic arts, photography, ceramics, sculpture, metal, fiber, art education, etc.
About Art Scholarships
Students can receive a scholarship award in a given year with a maximum of four scholarships. OSA has $12,000 for awards in 2020. OSA honors exceptional past artist members with the following named scholarships:
The Vivika and Otto Heino Scholarship
The Beatrice Wood Scholarship
The Horace Bristol Scholarship
The Marta Nelson Founder Scholarship
Professional Artists who are members of the Ojai Studio Artists will jury the entries. Ojai Studio Artists (OSA) is a 501(c)(3) California non-profit organization, which strives to create an environment where artists thrive, professional and student alike, and to fulfill the potential of the arts to enrich lives and build community. As part of our educational outreach program we provide scholarships and mentorship to promising Ojai art students at the high school and college levels. Scholarship monies are raised through fundraising efforts of the Ojai Studio Artists, the annual tour and outside donations and grants. This year’s OSA Tour runs from October 10-12, 2020. Students with a valid ID may attend at no cost. It is likely that our free monthly Second Saturday mini tours that usually take place at our members’ studios from February through July, may not occur this year.
Important Information
- Apply HERE
- Teacher Recommendation Form
- Deadline to apply: Friday April 24, 5:00PM
- May 4th applicants notified
An online exhibition of 2020 award winners works will post on the Ojai Studio Artists website.
2019 student award recipient response
Student award recipient 2019, Nordhoff student, Arley Sakai with Scholarship co-chairs, Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend and Carol Shaw-Sutton.
Arley Sakai spoke of the award:
“My name is Arley Sakai, and I am a senior at Nordhoff High School. In the spring of my junior year, my art teacher, Kate Thomas, suggested I apply for the OSA Scholarship. As an upper-classman, with a keen interest in expensive schools, I seized the opportunity. Being the first scholarship I had ever applied to, I didn’t know what to expect. But alas, not long I received notice that I had gotten the Beatrice Wood Award for Special Achievement in the Visual Arts. I was shocked, and so grateful, and forever will be.
It is important that other students have the opportunity to be recognized for the creative endeavors, especially those at a public school like Nordhoff where one teacher is can be responsible for 40 students, leaving them unavailable for consistent feedback and support. Further, receiving the award showed me something about art as a young adult—there is merit in it. Showing students there is value and validity to their creations will only encourage them to continue a life in the visual arts; I know it did for me. So, with your contributions, artists of the future will be supported, and I thank you for that generosity.”
2019 student award recipient response
“I wanted to take a moment to again thank you for your constant support. It is so amazing that Ojai Studio Artists are able to raise money from the Ojai community and give that money back to artists working in the community. More than just an affirmation of the artistic work being produced, it also helps to secure much needed supplies – always helpful for the working artist!” Brett Childs, photographer, three year award recipient, Art Center College of Design