Scholarships and Grants

Presidential Arts Scholarships

A limited number of Presidential Arts Scholarships are available to students pursuing a major or minor in art, creative writing, dance, music, or theatre. These $1,000 scholarships are renewable upon good standing and are merit-based, not determined by financial need.

Presidential Arts Scholarship Information

Requirements

  • 3.0 grade point average in your major
  • Major or minor in the artistic field in which you apply
  • Must be a full-time undergraduate student in the 2026-2027 academic year.
  • Creative writing applicants must submit 8-15 pages of creative work with their application.

New Applicants

Application materials include:*

  • A cover letter specifying the artistic department you're applying to: art, creative writing, dance, music, theatre.
  • A current resume of your creative or artistic achievements.

*Please note, there is no printed application for this scholarship.

Applicants should send their materials electronically to arts@salemstate.edu, with “Presidential Arts Scholarship" noted in the subject line. Submissions must be sent from your Salem State student email account.

Renewal Applicants

Please submit a letter to arts@salemstate.edu requesting renewal no later than Monday, March 2, 2026. This letter should include your artistic achievements since receiving the award. 

All renewal applicants must submit a letter. There are no automatic renewals for this award. Submissions must be sent from your Salem State student email account.

 

 

Summer Student Artistic Development Grants

Summer Student Artistic Development Grants are intended as an investment in promising students in the arts who, it is hoped, will view their summer grant project as a seminal point in their development as artists.

The Center for the Arts will offer grants to between 1 and 4 students, ranging from $500 to $1,500, for summer projects across all creative disciplines, including but not limited to art, creative writing, dance, music, and theatre. 

Funded projects will combine creative experimentation with artistic merit, ultimately involving the undergraduate population by providing access to a completed project. 

Successful proposals will enhance the development of the student’s artistic identity through an apprenticeship with a great artist or company, the development of an innovative artistic idea, the completion of a body of work, or working and living in an environment that fosters creative development. 

Information about the Summer Student Artistic Development Grants

Deadlines

The deadline to apply for a 2026 Student Artistic Development Grant is Friday, March 20, 2026, by 5 pm. Submissions must be sent from your Salem State student email account.

Requirements

Full-time students who will be juniors or seniors in Fall 2026 may apply. (Spring 2026 graduates are not eligible.) 

Candidates must demonstrate evidence of artistic contribution to the campus community and significant growth as an artist during their college career. The work outlined in the proposal must constitute a truly exceptional opportunity for artistic growth.

Funded student artists will be required to attend occasional events throughout the year, share their creative process during the summer project via some form of social media, and share their work with the Salem State University community.

Application

Include a cover letter, resume of artistic achievement, one letter of recommendation, and a 750-word or less proposal narrative to include: the scope of your project, who will be involved, how the project will foster your creative growth, how the project can be shared with the wider student community, and project duration. Your submission must include a one-page budget proposal that itemizes project expenses.

Submit completed application materials to Karen Gahagan, Center for Creative and Performing Arts at kgahagan@salemstate.edu, no later than Friday, March 20, 2026, at 5 pm. Submissions must be sent from your Salem State student email account.

Contact Us

Karen Gahagan, Director
Center for Creative and Performing Arts
978.542.7890

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