People of different generations have made rigorous attempts to define art. They aimed at establishing a set of characteristic features applicable to all kinds of artistic expressions. Rather than defining the meaning of art which may prove to be difficult, it can be safely stated that art is an expression that is to be appreciated, enjoyed and loved for the powerful emotional values it reflects in the eyes of the beholders. It manifests creativity, imagination and innate ability of an artist. Art evolves from the culture and reflects the inner necessity of an artist. Naturally, fine arts are preferred by students from a variety of backgrounds who view it as a suitable outlet for expressing their creativity.
A Brief History of Artistic Forms
Historical period in India witnessed great painting styles like Ajanta. Buddhist cave paintings of Satavahana period from 224 BC to 200 BC are the prime example. Ajanta near Aurangabad is excellent for the study of Indian classical art of paintings, sculptures and architecture. Bodhisattva Vajraapani, the Black princess, Bodhisattva Padmapani, the dying princess, renunciation of Siddhartha etc. are the masterpieces of Ajanta paintings. Later many schools in the miniature styles of painting emerged. There was colonial influence on the trends of painting in India. Evolution of Miniature painting, rise of the major schools such as Rajasthani, Mughal, Pahari and Deccani followed by the Bengal school, modern art movement and the contemporary art in India shows how various forms of art flourished in India for more than 2000 years.
Similarly, various forms of artistic expression viz. Naturalism, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism evolving into Romanticism and Cubism etc. have come of age. It is a widely known fact that Michelangelo struggled to create frescos in Florence and Sistine chapels. Vincent van Gogh painted Starry Nights and Neil Diamond wrote lyrics.
It is known that human beings need various avenues for expression. Sculpture, paintings, music and literature are powerful means of expression of innate human abilities. Our educational institutions in India after more than half a century since independence have begun to realise that humanities and fine arts are crucial components in the perennial search for ultimate reality.
However, for students interested in pursuing a career in arts, enrolling and learning various forms of art isn’t that easy. It is in this context arts scholarship programmes assume an added importance. Let us consider some of the prominent scholarship and fellowship programmes available for aspirants who want to pursue their career in arts.
- Sanskriti-Kalakriti Fellowship
- Mani Mann Fellowship
- Madhobi Chatterji Memorial Fellowship
- Sonny Mehta India Scholarship
- The Himalayan Fellowship for Creative Practitioners
- Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme
- Lalit Kala Akademi Scholarship
- Citi NCPA Scholarship
- Nikon Scholarship Program
- Nehru Trust’s UK Travel Awards
- Inlaks Theatre Awards
- Inlaks Fine Arts Awards
- All India Drawing Competition Youva Masterstroke
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
- Krishnakriti Foundation Scholarship for Fine Arts
- IED Fellowships
Scholarship Programmes in Arts on Buddy4Study Platform
Buddy4Study, the largest online scholarship platform in India connects the applicants and providers of scholarship and fellowship opportunities and facilitates the process of application. The website offers attractive options for students seeking financial aid and support for education loan programmes. Interested aspirants can apply for a variety of art fellowships and scholarships opportunities available on Buddy4Study platform. They are as under:
Scholarship and Fellowship Programmes in Arts
Sanskriti-Kalakriti Fellowship
The Sanskriti Pratishthan invites young performing artists to apply for its annual Sanskriti – Kalakriti Fellowship in Performing Arts. The Fellowship aims to support emerging artists in realising their full potential and improving their abilities through focused practice.
Eligibility Criteria
- The candidate must be a citizen of India.
- The candidate should have completed their basic training in Indian classical dance for at least ten years.
- The individual must have performed solo in reputable forums for at least two or three times.
Benefits
A scholarship worth ₹50,000 will be awarded to the chosen Fellows, and it will be disbursed in two installments – First installment of ₹25,000 when the fellowship commences, and a second installment of the same amount when the Fellow submits their final project.
Sanskriti-Mani Mann Fellowship
The Sanskriti Foundation is offering talented artists in the 25 to 40 years age group, an opportunity to study under a renowned Indian classical music instructor to encourage promising artists to advance in their field with their Mani Mann Fellowship programme. The selected Fellow will receive a scholarship worth ₹1 lakh.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should be in the 25 to 40 years age group.
- The candidate must be a citizen of India.
- The candidate should have a degree or diploma in Indian classical music from a recognised university or institution.
- The candidate should have at least 10 years of initial training in Indian classical music.
- The individual must have performed solo in reputable forums for at least two to three times.
Benefits
A scholarship of ₹1 lakh will be disbursed in two installments – first installment will be disbursed at the beginning of the scholarship programme officially, followed by the second installment upon the submission of a complete project report by the Fellow.
Sanskriti-Madhobi Chatterji Memorial Fellowship
The Sanskriti Foundation invites applications for its annual Smt. Madhobi Chatterji Memorial Fellowship in Indian Classical Music and Dance from the young artists who want to further their advancement in the field. The objective of the fellowship programme is to provide supportive resources and time to budding artists, encouraging them to improve their skills and potential. Candidates could be an artist from any genre of Indian Classical Music, Vocal or Instrumental or Dance forms and choreography. They are required to have some years of formal training.
Eligibility Criteria
- Only citizens of India are eligible for the fellowship programme.
- The candidate should be a performer in any genre of Indian classical music, vocal or instrumental or dance forms and choreography.
- A few years of official training in Indian classical music or dance is an essential requirement.
- The individual must have performed alone at least two or three times.
Benefits
A scholarship amount of ₹1 lakh will be awarded to the chosen fellows. The fellowship will begin with the awarding of the first installment, which is ₹50,000. With the submission of their final project report, the second installment of ₹50,000 will be awarded.
The Himalayan Fellowship for Creative Practitioners
The Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art, a non-governmental organisation and Royal Enfield, the Indian multinational motorcycle manufacturer, are offering in their collaboration the Himalayan Fellowship for Creative Practitioners. Creative professionals working in a variety of artistic disciplines such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, architecture, sound and music, design, crafts, installations, performance, literature and oral history are encouraged to apply under this fellowship programme.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must be hailing from the following States or Union Territories of India:
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Ladakh
- Uttarakhand
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Himachal Pradesh
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
- Mizoram
- Nagaland
- Sikkim
- Tripura
- Assam
- West Bengal
Benefits
A one time grant of ₹3,00,000 for the selected candidates.
Sonny Mehta India Scholarship
The University of East Anglia offers The Sonny Mehta India Scholarship to talented Indian writers displaying outstanding creative writing potential. The students can study at the Department of Literature, Drama, and Creative Writing of the University of East Anglia.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should be an Indian resident born in India
- The candidate should be an Indian author with exceptional talent for creative writing
Benefits
The selected applicant under this art scholarship programme will receive tuition plus maintenance fees worth €28,500.
Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme
The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) is an independent body under the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India, which offers the Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme. This programme aims to empower gifted children with training in a variety of cultural sectors while putting emphasis on rare and endangered art forms.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should fall between the age group of 10 and 14 years
- He/She should be pursuing their studies at a recognised school or belong to a family that practices traditional performing arts
- Monthly family income of the applicant should be less than ₹8,000
Benefits
The selected scholars will get an amount of ₹3,600 annually along with a maximum ₹9,000 annual compensation for their real tuition cost.
Lalit Kala Akademi Scholarship
The National Academy of Art is offering Lalit Kala Akademi Scholarship to young and deserving artists. In total, 55 art scholarships are available for different art subjects – Visual arts-sculpture, Painting, Ceramic, Printmaking, Art history, Art criticism, Art management, Art curation and documentation and Photography.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicant should be a citizen of India
- Candidates should lie between 21 and 35 years of age group as on January 1, 2023.
- They should have an arts background or degree or diploma in arts, or provide documentation of at least five years of work experience in visual arts.
- Applicants should have sufficient knowledge in the chosen field for which they are applying.
Benefits
For a duration of one year, each selected scholar will get ₹20,000 per month to cover living expenses, travel costs, the purchase of art supplies, etc.
Citi NCPA Scholarship for Young Musicians 2024-26
The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, in collaboration with CITIbank, is offering the Citi NCPA Scholarship for Young Musicians 2024–2026 to musicians enrolled in advanced training in the field of Hindustani music which includes flute, harmonium, violin, sitar, sarod, etc.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should be a citizen of India.
- Applicants should fall within the age range of 18 to 30 years on March 1, 2024 (for Khayal & Melody Instruments category).
- Applicants should fall within the age range of 18 to 35 years on March 1, 2024 (for Dhrupad category).
Benefits
The selected applicants will receive ₹10,000 every month for two years (April 2024 to March 2026).
Also Read: Strategies for Securing a Scholarship in 2024: Useful Guidance & Tips
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Nikon Scholarship Program
Nikon India Private Limited has launched the Nikon Scholarship Programme to provide financial assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds motivating them to enroll in photography-related courses. The grant is intended to assist students who have finished their Class 12 education and are enrolled in courses linked to photography that last three months or more.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should be a citizen of India.
- The scholarship benefits are available to students enrolled in three-month or longer photography-related courses.
- Interested students must have completed class 12 education.
- The family’s annual income ought to be less than ₹6 lakh.
- This programme is not available to children of Buddy4Study or Nikon India Private Limited employees.
Benefits
Selected scholarship recipients are eligible to receive amounts up to ₹1 Lakh.
Nehru Trust’s UK Travel Awards 2024
The Nehru Trust for the Indian Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum (NTICVA) is offering the Nehru Trust’s UK Travel Awards 2024. Two candidates will get the opportunity to travel to the UK for a brief period in order to conduct research, study, attend conferences, and collaborate or share ideas with peers as part of this internship.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should be a citizen of India
- Applicants should be a professional or academician employed by galleries, museums, universities, or other designated organisations dedicated to conservation, analysis, and exhibition of Indian art and cultural heritage.
Benefits
A maximum of €1,000 will be awarded to the selected candidates as a partial payment for maintenance and/or travel expenses to and from India.
Inlaks Theatre Awards
An endeavour of the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation, the Inlaks Theatre Awards seeks to provide financial assistance to students looking for opportunities to advance their knowledge in theatre arts. Students can engage in training workshops, residencies, or any other activity they see appropriate as part of this programme, for a maximum period of one year. One should be a current resident of India to become eligible under this programme.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should have an Indian passport and be residing in India.
- Applicants should be a recent graduate or postgraduate of an Indian Institute for Theatre Arts in India born on or after January 1, 1988.
- Applicants should not receive any comparable or government-sponsored scholarships or awards.
Benefits
Depending on the proposal and the length of the planned programme, the foundation will offer a monthly allowance of ₹15,000 for the duration of the programme, which should not exceed one year.
Inlaks Fine Arts Awards
The non-profit Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation is providing a platform for upcoming young artists currently residing in India to hone their creative skills through the Inlaks Fine Arts Awards. To become eligible, the applicants must be born on or after 1st January 1993. A yearly stipend of ₹3,00,000 will allow them to operate freely throughout India.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should have an Indian passport or be an Indian resident.
- Applicants should be a young, upcoming artist who was born on January 1, 1993 or later.
- Applicants should hold a recent postgraduate or graduate degree, or be a final year student at one of India’s top visual arts institutes.
Benefits
The reward is worth ₹3,00,000 for a full year programme. During the year, the recipient will also be required to participate in an art residency programme in India for four weeks.
All India Drawing Competition Youva Masterstroke
Navneet India Limited, a manufacturer of educational books, stationery, general literature, and children’s books in numerous Indian and international languages is offering the All India Drawing Competition Youva Masterstroke. Entries for the Youva Masterstroke are open to children from kindergarten to grade ten.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should be a student studying in nursery to Class 10.
Benefits
The winners will receive a Youva hamper.
Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship
Deserving and hardworking Indian students willing to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in fine arts and visual arts are eligible to apply under the Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship. Applicants must be under the age of 30 years with first-class degree certificate, or its equivalent, from an accredited Indian university or institution. The application period for this art scholarship is from 6th February to 22nd March, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should be Indian passport holders born on or after January 1, 1994
- Applicants should be residents of India at the time of application and have obtained a degree from a recognised Indian university (Applicants may apply if they are in their last year of graduation and are awaiting their final result.)
- Applicants should have a strong undergraduate degree from an accredited international university.
- Applicants should have lived, worked, or studied in India for a minimum of two years following their undergraduate degree.
- Minimum percentage or grade that must be achieved are as under:
- In order to be considered for admission to the Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture, and allied fields, applicants must have secured at least a 65% academic grade, a CGPA of 6.8/10, or a GPA of 2.6/4 from an accredited university or institution.
- A minimum of 70% in math, science, the environment, and allied topics is required, or a CGPA of 7.2/10 or GPA of 2.8/4.
- Applicants should have a certification in English as a prerequisite of their offer letter.
- Applicants should have been granted a legitimate postponed offer letter for the 2024-2025 school year.
Benefits
Selected candidates can receive up to $100,000 to cover living expenses, tuition costs, healthcare and a one way travel cost.
Also Read: Scholarship Search Engines: Your Academic Buddy and Companion
Other Scholarship and Fellowship Opportunities in Arts
Krishnakriti Foundation Scholarship For Fine Arts
The French Embassy and the Krishnakriti Foundation are the collaborating partners in providing fine arts scholarship programmes for Indian students. It provides an appropriate opportunity for those willing to pursue their studies in fine and visual arts at prestigious French universities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should be a citizen of India.
- Applicants should possess an undergraduate degree in fine arts from a recognized university.
- Applicants should have at least three artworks to showcase in their portfolio.
Benefits
Selected students will get air tickets, medical insurance, visa and campus fee waiver, monthly stipend and assistance to find affordable student accommodation.
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IED Fellowships
The European Institute of Design in Italy is offering art scholarships to Indian students willing to pursue master’s degrees in Milan, Venice, Rome, Florence, Madrid, and Barcelona. Students applying for pursuing their studies in the visual arts, fashion, and design, among other fields, are eligible for these grants.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be in possession of a relevant bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Benefits
Selected fellows will receive a 50% fee waiver on their tuition costs.
Also Read: Top Fine Arts Scholarships for Indian Students
Application Process for Art Scholarship Programmes
While it is true that the application process may vary for different art scholarships and fellowships programmes, it is broadly similar. Prerequisites and requirement are as under:
- Gathering all of the necessary paperwork is the first step. Official transcripts, an updated resume, a portfolio with samples of work, a letter of recommendation, and a statement of purpose are some of the relevant prerequisites. Applications for some fellowships may require some extra paperwork.
- After gathering the required paperwork, applicants can proceed with the application. The websites of the organisations giving art scholarships for Indian students provide the application forms.
- Candidates must fill out the form by clicking the link and entering their personal and professional information.
- They can then proceed with uploading the required documents thereafter. Certain programmes and organisations need applicants to email their supporting documents.
- Upon completion of the aforementioned stages, candidates should submit their applications for the art scholarship programmes. Selected candidates are notified by email including the information related to interviews.
In conclusion, it can be said without doubt that art as a creative form of expression needs support, platform and financial assistance. Aspiring Indian artists often face several financial challenges. Art scholarship and fellowship programmes offer an important avenue for motivating these individuals and empower them in their academic pursuit. Art scholarships aid and assist aspiring art students from different cultural fields to accomplish their objectives. Buddy4Study along with other organisations recognise the needs and aspirations and facilitate relevant opportunities relevant in the given context.
Also Read: Mastering Scholarship Applications: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoid Mistakes
FAQs
Is art a good stream of choice for the future?
A: Yes, both graduates and students in the arts have excellent job prospects in India and outside. In fact, there is a great need for experts in the field of arts in the UK and other European and Middle East countries. Graduates of prestigious universities with degrees in the arts lead the majority of non-governmental organisations, including UNICEF, UNESCO, UNO, and other well-known groups.
Is Buddy4Study a safe and secured platform for applying under scholarship programmes?
A: Yes, Buddy4Study is run and curated by experienced, trustworthy individuals who have been making conscious efforts to provide the best possible opportunities for needy students. Buddy4Study is trusted by countless users and organisations to interconnect seekers and providers of scholarship opportunities.
Is it possible to get multiple scholarships at the same time through Buddy4Study platform?
A: It is possible to apply for multiple scholarships at Buddy4Study, however candidates in general become eligible for a single scholarship.
How can an applicant apply for a scholarship programme promoting dance forms?
A: It is essential that applicants willing to pursue a career in dance forms apply for scholarships programmes dedicatedly meant for the same. They must thoroughly read and understand the requirements of each scholarship before applying. The Sanskriti Pratishthan invites young performing artists to apply for its annual scholarship programme Sanskriti – Kalakriti Fellowship in Performing Arts that also promotes dance forms.
How can an interested student apply for the arts scholarship programme?
A: By examining the requirements of various fellowship and scholarship programmes, students can determine their eligibility. They can compile the necessary documents and finish the online application that can be accessed on the website of the organisation.