Art Scholarship: Archibald Rutledge Schol.

ARCHIBALD RUTLEDGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

This is an annual scholarship-- Prepare for it now, look for details in December.

What is it? The Archibald Rutledge Scholarship program, named for South Carolina’s first poet laureate, offers twelfth-grade students (enrolled in a public school in South Carolina) the opportunity to compete for a scholarship in creative writing, dance, music, theatre, or visual arts as well as encourages and recognizes academic and artistic excellence among South Carolina students.

What does the program include? Students will mail original compositions (and other required documentation) in one of the five arts disciplines to the South Carolina Department of Education.   

When does the program begin? Applications will be available online in December 2009. The deadline to submit an entry is February 5, 2010, by 5:00 p.m. or postmarked on or before February 5, 2010. Entries are not accepted after the deadline.

How will the students be recognized? Five scholarships (approximately $2,500 each) will be awarded in May 2010. The recipients may also be recognized by their local schools/school districts. 

Eligibility criteria: 

• Students must currently be enrolled in twelfth grade in a public school in South Carolina.

• Students must plan to attend a South Carolina college or university.
• Students must be a United States citizen and have attended public school in South Carolina for the past two years.
• Students may only apply for one scholarship.

General composition criteria include:

(Additional criteria that each applicant/composition must meet are included on the individual entry forms. Click on the individual arts discipline for the application and criteria.)

• Visual Arts — An entry is defined as an original artwork that must be a completed, rendered visual composition, originated by the applicant. Art is limited to two-dimensional work such as drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, and collage. 
• Entries produced in collaboration with others are not eligible for this competition.
• A panel of professionals in each of the five arts areas will select a recipient in each of the disciplines.
• Students will be allowed to compete in one area only.

How do students apply? Eligible and interested students apply through their guidance department between December 2009 and February 5, 2010. Each school has a designated Archibald Rutledge school scholarship coordinator. Applications are located at http://ed.sc.gov/agency/Standards-and-Learning/Academic-Standards/Archibald-Rutledge-Scholarship/ArchibaldRutledgeScholarship.html.

For more information, contact your school’s guidance department or R. Scot Hockman, 803-734-0323; shockman@ed.sc.gov.