The Santa Maria Arts Council is gearing up for its annual Individual Grants in the Arts Competition, which will award $13,000 in grants to emerging local artists. Locals wishing to compete for the grants must be at least 12 years of age and must have studied art in Northern Santa Barbara County for a minimum of two years.
The grants competition awards first and second place distinctions in the fields of dance, drama, music, and visual arts. First place grants award $1,500 to the recipient whereas second place recipients receive $1,000. Three additional grants are also awarded: the Nat Fast Memorial Grant for performing artists, the Ian M. Hassett Fund for visual artists, and the Los Padres Artists Guild Scholarship for student artists.
Those looking to compete must complete an application by the March 26 deadline. Two workshops are available for those in need of assistance, including a Feb. 17 workshop at 6 p.m. at Allan Hancock College in the Fine Arts Department lobby in Building F. A March 5 workshop is at 10 a.m. at Allan Hancock College in Building F, room 11 in the Fine Arts Department. Recipients who win first or second place are required to perform or show their work at a showcase event on May 9 in Santa Maria.
More information is available at smartscouncil.org, grants@smartscouncil.org, or 459-1503.
This article appears in Feb 18-25, 2016.
