Performing Arts Scholarship

For Prospective Students

You’re interested in more than just your major. You have a love and a talent for singing, acting, dancing, or playing music. At RIT, we not only hope you’ll continue participating in the performing arts, we absolutely encourage it through the Performing Arts Scholarship.

An RIT student on stage during a performance.

As a performing arts scholar, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with other students that share your passion for music, theater or dance. Coaches from your discipline regularly organize social events like pizza parties and movie nights where you can get to know other performing arts scholars and talk about new opportunities, as well as participate in excursions to local concerts and plays. Learn more about performing arts in the Rochester community

You’ll also find support for your creativity should you be interested in forming a group or ensemble, or writing, directing, or choreographing your own show.

All admitted first-year undergraduate students are eligible to apply, regardless of major. This scholarship may be received in combination with other awards and grants and is renewable each year you are involved in performing arts at RIT. For more information, visit the RIT Performing Arts Scholarship Application.

For Current Students

As a current recipient of the performing arts scholarship, here are a few key facts and things to keep in mind:

You can renew your scholarship each year.

Just give back to the RIT performing arts community by participating in some form of music, musical theatre, theatre, and/or dance for at least one semester each year that you receive the scholarship.

You have a ton of performing arts options.

Take a class. Join an ensemble. Join a performing arts club. Act in a theatre production. Be a crew person. Take music lessons. (Or do a bunch of those things!)
 
Participation requirement eased for 2020-2021 academic year.

Tell us what you did.

Be sure you get credit for your performing arts participation by reporting it to your coach before the deadline. Write-ups should be 1-2 paragraphs and describe your performing arts activity.
 
Reporting requirement eased for 2020-2021 academic year.
Eased Requirements for the 2020-2021 Academic Year

We understand that there may be some anxiety surrounding the scholarship aspect of the Performing Arts Scholars program, particularly as to whether students will have the capacity to participate and complete the scholarship requirements. Please know we understand and empathize with these concerns—the Performing Arts Scholars program is intended to add enjoyment and artistic value to your RIT experience, not to add stress on top of the uncertainty that COVID-19 has created. To that end, we are easing the scholarship requirements for the 2020-2021 academic year: your financial scholarship will remain intact as long as you keep committed to the program by communicating with your coach regularly and supporting the arts in a way that feels right for you. Regular scholarship requirements will resume for the 2021-2022 academic year. 

We hope that guaranteeing your financial scholarship for the upcoming academic year will alleviate any concern or anxiety you may have about the Performing Arts Scholars program. While we certainly encourage your participation in music, theatre, dance or production, we want you to feel in control of your performing arts experience at RIT. Please plan on participating in whichever way you feel most comfortable, and do it knowing that your scholarship is secure.

Please contact Dr. David Hult, Director of the Performing Arts Scholars program, or your Coach with questions.

Questions?

Contact your coach or the Performing Arts Scholarship Program Coordinator, David Hult. You can also contact the Department of Performing Arts with questions or concerns.