DES MOINES – While Iowa's high school seniors are wrapping up classes and preparing for graduation this spring, three of them have already taken steps toward college with scholarships from the Iowa Arts Council.
Lt. Governor Adam Gregg presented the 2018 Iowa Scholarship for the Arts awards to Halle Fish of Bettendorf and Ashlynne Cutting of Earlham during a presentation ceremony Wednesday at the State Capitol in Des Moines. The third recipient, Jade Barnes of Spencer, was unable to attend.
“Education in the arts stimulates creativity, helps students develop critical-thinking skills and lays the foundation not only for those who want to pursue a career in the arts but also for those working in other sectors," Gregg said. "We're honored to help celebrate your exceptional artistic talent and proud that each of you plans to continue your education right here in Iowa."
The Iowa Arts Council awards the Iowa Scholarships for the Arts annually to select Iowa high school students with a proven artistic ability in dance, literature, music, theater, traditional arts or visual arts who plan to attend an Iowa college or university during the next academic year and pursue a major in the arts. Each student will receive $1,500 toward her 2018-2019 college tuition and related expenses as a full-time undergraduate at a fully accredited Iowa college or university.
Fish is planning to attend Drake University next fall to pursue a degree in choral music education and vocal performance focusing in opera.
Cutting is looking forward to attending Southwestern Community College in Creston this fall to pursue a fine arts degree with a focus in visual arts and drawing.
Barnes is planning to attend the University of Iowa to pursue a degree in art with a focus in animation.
Proceeds from a 1986 benefit concert by world-renowned opera singer and native Iowan Simon Estes helped establish the scholarship program with additional contributions coming from organizations and private citizens to ensure outstanding young artists continue to be recognized and educated in Iowa.
The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and its three divisions – the Iowa Arts Council, Produce Iowa - State Office of Media Production and the State Historical Society of Iowa – empower Iowa to build and sustain culturally vibrant communities by connecting Iowans to the people, places and points of pride that define our state. The department’s work enables Iowa to be recognized as a state that fosters creativity and serves as a catalyst for innovation where the stories of Iowa are preserved and communicated to connect past, present and future generations.