SILER CITY, N.C. — Applications are now being accepted for 2021 JMArts Scholars, a program offered by JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, to provide intensive summer study in the arts for current Jordan-Matthews High School students who will be returning to the school next year.
Since being launched in 2012, JMArts Scholars has awarded 67 scholarships to 44 students, allowing them to develop their talent, explore artistic options before making their college decisions and bring what they learn back to share with other students. Awards may vary, but generally cover the full cost of attending the workshop.
Students can apply online using a link at jmarts.org/scholars. Scholarship decisions are being made on a rolling basis, but all applications must be submitted by April 15.
Plans for many of this year's summer workshops statewide are still in flux due to the pandemic. Some, like NC State’s Design Camp, will be held virtually, with students receiving “camp in a box” containing all of the materials they need to complete their design projects. Others, including those offered by the NC State Department of Music, will be day camps. Some are waiting a few more weeks to announce their final plans.
“This isn’t a typical year, to say the least, but there are many more workshops being held than there were last year, when almost everything was canceled,” said JMArts President Rose Pate. “Whatever options are available, we are committed to providing this opportunity for our arts students — along with the much-deserved recognition as JMArts Scholars for what they have accomplished already.”
Scholarships are funded by individual contributions to the foundation, community fundraisers and ticket sales for the fall musical and major concerts during the academic year, most of which had to be canceled this fall.
Pate says she understands how difficult things have been for many people during the pandemic. “But if you’re in a position to contribute,” she said, “your generosity now would provide much-needed opportunity for student artists who have been struggling over the last year to advance their work.”
Contributions can be made online at the JMArts website, jmarts.org, which also includes information about the nonprofit foundation, membership information and a schedule of upcoming events.
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Laci Burt, from left, Jennifer Trejo Benitez and Conrad Suits after their cabaret performances at the 2019 UNC Music Workshop in Chapel Hill. The cabaret is one of two major public performances held each year at Hill Hall during the weeklong workshop for vocalists and pianists.