The Rutherford Arts Alliance is excited to announce the creation of a scholarship for economically disadvantaged students in grades K-12 in the county.

The purpose of the scholarship is to aid in the removal of some of the financial barriers that prevent students from participating in school arts programs including but not limited to band, chorus, theater, visual, literary, culinary, graphic, and other media. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year must be received before Friday, March 28.

Scholarship awards are currently capped at $100, and students are eligible to apply through their arts teacher once per school year. When awarded, funds will be paid directly to the vendors providing the goods or services. Students’ financial need is confirmed by qualification for free or reduced lunch.

Jeff Lysyczyn, Executive Director, Rutherford Arts Alliance

“We at the RAA have been meeting regularly with a volunteer group of K-12 arts teachers across county, city, private, and homeschool to collaborate on ways we can work together to identify and bridge the gaps in service their students are experiencing,” says Jeff Lysyczyn, Executive Director of the RAA.

“The young artists in our schools are the future and the present of our thriving arts community. Breaking down barriers to students’ participation in the arts will bolster the odds of success in all areas of their lives,” Lysyczyn continued.

“We are extremely excited to partner with the Rutherford Arts Alliance to offer this scholarship opportunity for students. We work very hard to ensure all students in Rutherford County Schools have access to a quality arts education, and this new scholarship program will provide more students the opportunity to achieve excellence in the arts,” said Lindsay Halford, Rutherford County Schools Fine Arts Coordinator. “We also appreciate Rutherford Arts Alliance’s commitment to growing the relationship between our school arts programs and the larger arts community by inviting arts educators to become involved.”

The scholarship fund has been seeded by a Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee grant of $1,350. Additional funds will be raised by future grants, fundraisers, and donations. The public is encouraged to donate to the fund.

Free RAA membership offer to K-12 art teachers

Additionally, as part of the growing relationship between the RAA and K-12 arts teachers in Rutherford County, the organization is offering for a free one-year membership to K-12 art teachers. Teachers can sign up by selecting the K-12 Educator membership option under the “Individual” plan on the Join page.