To encourage increased skills and training in the arts sector, Arts Waikato has a scholarship fund to support people who are actively involved in their arts community.
Arts Waikato understands the difficulties facing individual artists in accessing financial support and assists study at tertiary level in all arts areas through annual scholarships up to a maximum of $5000.
Scholarships are available to anyone living, or educated in the Greater Waikato .
Scholarship forms will be available from the start of June this year. This is a change from when the Scholarship usually opens in February. Arts Waikato feels this will make it easier for students to plan for their study in the following year.
Scholarships are awarded for tertiary study or continuing education in any area of the arts, including arts management, which will benefit an arts group or the wider arts community in the Waikato. We want to support people who are already contributing to community arts in their area.
To apply you must be:
- Year 13 or over - no upper age limit
- Nominated by a community arts group or educational organisation
- Be involved in your community through an arts group, tutoring etc
- Studying for a recognised qualification or course
- Benefiting your arts community through your study
- A New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
Arts Waikato acknowledges the Tangata Whenua status of Maori in New Zealand
You can apply under four broad arts categories:
- Visual arts
- Performing arts/film
- Music
- Maori arts
If you are not sure which category to apply under, contact Arts Waikato
Application forms are sent out at the beginning of when the Scholarship opens to:
- Waikato Secondary schools
- Local authority funding coordinators
- Waikato Community Arts Councils
- Waikato tertiary institutions
- Community arts groups and community houses
The scholarship form is also available to download here but you must use the current year's form and return your application as hard copy as we require supporting information.
If you need assistance with any of the questions on the application form please ask one of our friendly staff to assist you.
2008 Arts Waikato Scholarship Awards
The Awards at the WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts saw 19 Waikato students, from school leavers to grandparents, receive scholarships for tertiary study or continuing education in all areas of the arts. "Our scholarship winners include artists, musicians, actors, writers, teachers, photographers and designers," said Mr Macindoe. "The ambitions of the recipients are really inspiring and bode well for the continued development of our region's varied and vibrant culture."
Guest speaker was the popular comedian and commentator, Te Radar, and entertainment was provided by 2007 Arts Waikato scholars.
2007 Scholarship Recipient Ivan Kana
2007 Scholarship Recipient Craig Bradfield on left
2007 Arts Waikato Scholarship Awards
The 2007 Arts Waikato Scholarship Awards Evening was held at the WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato.
Guest speaker was sculpter and Artist Richard Shortland Cooper
Arts Waikato trustees at the 2007 scholarship evening.
Read media releases here
Scholarship News
Jamie Lawrence- Arts Waikato Scholarship Winner! Big News!
They've got my back!'
Huffer, the cool of NZ street-wear who have recently launched in the US, are supporting Lawrence by providing masses of limited edition t-shirts that will have all the sponsors logos on the back. And while the tees have started to gather a few logos Jamie is still on the lookout for plenty more sponsors to 'get his back'.
Arts Waikato was the first to get on board by contributing to his study fees. "It was Jamie's enthusiasm and ability to make things happen which helped his scholarship application stand out," said Arts Waikato Advisor Hilary Falconer. "We need people like Jamie with a combination of passion and specialised skills to realise their potential."
Swinson Wallcoverings, Contact Energy, The Museum Hotel and Orbit Corporate Travel Wellington soon followed suit with financial support. Other supporters include Park Road Post Production, Pandoro Bakery and Huffer.
At the New York Film Academy Lawrence will study screenwriting and acting for film, a subject he is more than familiar with. He is currently working on Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones and last year worked with renowned director James Cameron on Avatar. He has also worked on Peter Jackson's King Kong and The Lord of the Rings films and has produced several short films of his own.
Lawrence says his sponsorship still has a way to go but the response so far has been amazing.
"I'm incredibly stoked and so grateful to gain sponsorship from people who not only believe in my dream but also who believe in me. It's pretty humbling.
I expect wearing copies of the same branded t-shirt for four months will make people curious about who my sponsors are. Then I just have to go for the eye of the tiger and accomplish an Oscar nominated film that will ensure their contribution was all worth while!" he laughs.
This opportunity to attend the New York Film Academy is unparalleled as an aspiring filmmaker with its 'learning-by-writing' designed environment. It will enable Jamie to investigate the infrastructure and resources in New York at the pinnacle of the international film industry. But he stresses that his commitment is to pursue his ambition to make films at home in New Zealand.
If you are interested in finding out more about or supporting Jamie Lawrence to the New York Film Academy visit www.2thebigapple.com.
Latest News from Jamie
Leon Magowan from Waihi, who is studying theater and compostion at Victoria University and the NZ School of Music in Wellington, composed three pieces specifically for this years awards ceremony.
Leon worked with fellow 2006 recipient, Megan McFarlane and current recipient Timothy Li, both studying music at Waikato University, on the duets for piano and flute, which were premiered to close the evening.
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2007 recipient Timothy Li has gone on to receive a prestigious Hillary Scholarship from the University of Waikato to study for a postgraduate diploma in music, having previously completed a Bachelor of Music at Waikato, graduating with first class honours, (Performance - Piano). Timothy has also established a successful professional piano teaching studio in Hamilton.
Arts Waikato Scholarship Policy