Performing Arts Scholarships Offered to Greater Vernon Students

Students with performing arts skills have the opportunity to benefit from funds to help them with their studies.

The Vernon and District Performing Arts Center Society (VDPAC) is once again offering scholarships for 2024.

Students from Vernon, Coldstream or Electoral Areas B or C who are undertaking or returning to full-time study at a university, college or technical school specializing in an accredited program in performing arts or performing arts management; and those already enrolled in a recognized apprenticeship program area can apply.

This year’s program has a new, earlier deadline of midnight on Monday, July 15.

“The early application deadline will allow us to publicly announce this year’s winners in conjunction with our SPOTLIGHT season opening show and our 23rd annual anniversary on September 18,” said Executive Director Jim Harding.

Ballet Kelowna, featuring The Cowboy Act Suite & Other Works by Vernon’s Cameron Fraser-Monroe, will open VDPAC’s 2024-25 SPOTLIGHT season.

“Cameron has already received the VDPAC Performing Arts Scholarship twice,” says Harding. “So we thought it was a great way to kick off our 23rd season and, at the same time, honor the success of a local past recipient of the scholarship program.” »

Updated scholarship program guidelines and application form are available at: vdpac.ca/2024 Scholarship Program.

“For graduating Grade 12 students applying to post-secondary music, theater, dance, technical or other performing arts programs, the deadline of July 15 of this year may be earlier than the official notice of “acceptance of some students at their institution,” says Harding. “But these students are still invited to apply. We have made a provision in the guidelines for such students to submit their official confirmation upon receipt.

VDPAC has awarded several scholarships of $1,000 each in recent years.

The scholarships are traditionally made possible through the generosity of patrons through tips collected at the bar, concession stand and the lower level Coatcheck Gallery.

“We are always looking for ways to expand our scholarship program,” Harding says. “We are grateful for the support of our customers in the form of tips, but we are also open to commemorative gifts, legacy donations and corporate sponsorships for our program – all with opportunities to “nominate” for annual scholarships – in order to be able to help the best performers. arts students in the region.

The scholarship committee will review all applications and make award recommendations on July 31.

The annual scholarship program is a key component of the VDPAC Society’s ongoing youth engagement initiatives, which also include summer student employment opportunities; young FOH and apprentice technician volunteers; “community hours” opportunities for students; the Student RUSH: Live for Five discounted ticket program has been expanded to include post-secondary students; and other youth camps and awareness activities.

The 2023 $1,000 Performing Arts Scholarship recipients were: Kady Brandel (first year, BFA in Theater Production and Design, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver); Anastasia Lutsenko (first year, BMus – vocal performance, UBC, Vancouver); and Amelia (Amy) Cuthbertson (first year, set design and technical arts, National Theater Scholl, Montreal, QC).

Students can receive two VDPAC Performing Arts scholarships during their postsecondary career.