Rutherford Arts Alliance Announces K-12 Needs-Based Arts Scholarship

Offers Free Membership to Arts Teachers

The Rutherford Arts Alliance, a 501c3 arts advocacy organization dedicated to connecting creatives with community in Rutherford County, Tennessee has created 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 28th.

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.

“We at the RAA have been meeting regularly with a volunteer group of K12 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 Rutherford Arts Alliance. “This scholarship fund is the first program we’re launching through this relationship, and we’re just getting started. 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.”

“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 $1,350.00. Additional funds will be raised by future grants, fundraisers, and donations. The public is encouraged to donate to this fund by clicking this link on the Rutherford Arts Alliance Website. All funds raised through the link through May 31st, 2025 will be allocated directly to the scholarship fund.

As part of the growing relationship between the RAA and K12 arts teachers in Rutherford County, the organization is offering them a free one-year membership. Teachers can sign up here. Teachers wishing to help their students apply for scholarships can find information and the application here.

For information about Rutherford Arts Alliance, click www.RutherfordArtsAlliance.org