The 40K CSSSA recipients group picture from left to right are: Robert Miller, Aiden Samp, Thomas Gross, Lora Supandi, Cohan Lin, Hayley Riggins, Jennifer Najar
The CSSSA program empowers extraordinary young artists from California high schools to embrace their unique creativity and immerse themselves in their artistic disciplines, explains Rona Sebastian, President of the Herb Alpert Foundation.
Santa Monica, CA (PRWEB) August 28, 2017
"CSSSA is alchemical. This four week immersive, rigorous, cutting edge program in the arts literally changes lives. And the Herb Alpert Emerging Young Artists Scholarships then make it possible for some of these students to do what they never thought was possible...go to college.
Through the generosity of the Herb Alpert Foundation and their belief that a life in the arts is not only achievable, but one to be celebrated and valued, these student receive scholarships that make the impossible, possible.
CSSSA is very grateful to be able to bestow these 21 scholarships each summer. And this summer, 2017, we had some exceptional recipients," explains Michael Fields, Director, CSSSA.
"The CSSSA program empowers extraordinary young artists from California high schools to embrace their unique creativity and immerse themselves in their artistic disciplines, explains Rona Sebastian, President of the Herb Alpert Foundation. "The Herb Alpert Scholarships for Emerging Young Artists, honors several of these gifted students who are participating in the CSSSA program with the financial resources needed to pursue a life-changing college experience," says, Rona Sebastian, President of the Herb Alpert Foundation.
Annually CSSSA gives seven $40,000 scholarships. One in each program (Music, Theatre, Film, Dance, Visual Arts, Animation, Creative Writing). And 14 - $2500 scholarships. Two in each of the seven departments.
The mission of the Herb Alpert Emerging Young Artists Scholarship Awards program is to:
- Provide recognition, distinction and financial support to California high school students who have demonstrated the talent, motivation, character and commitment necessary to successfully pursue further study and careers in the arts;
- Maximize the value of scholarship aid and reduce debt wherever possible so students might be more free to pursue their visions;
- Connect these students to institutions of higher learning and professional training; and
- Direct public attention to the need for high quality arts programs for all California students.
The criteria for determining the students who will receive Herb Alpert Emerging Young Artists Scholarship Awards?
The faculty in each CSSSA department evaluates the students in their disciplines over the course of the program. They use a balanced assessment of artistic talent, character and motivation, likeliness of success in a collegiate or professional training program, and financial need to make their determinations.
"The impact of the Herb Alpert Emerging Young Artist awards transforms the lives and changes the trajectories of its 21 recipients each year. It creates a concrete educational pipeline that allows them to achieve their career dreams and in many cases, move beyond them into a new space they hadn't yet imagined. Leaving the molecular scale and switching to a wider view, these artists are now confidently poised to make a societal difference with their unique voices that will affect you, me, our neighbors, and those in far reaching places," says Heidi Kershaw, executive director of CSSSA.
"I can't find the words to describe how thankful I am for this scholarship. Before CSSSA, I wasn't happy with where I was in life. I just knew I wanted to be a filmmaker and an artist, but everything around me had me convinced I was destined to fail. I was ready to accept a lifetime of debt when I went to college, and that's only if I got accepted anywhere. Then I got into CSSSA. I had never worked so hard for so long while having the time of my life. I finally felt like I had purpose and that I was going to be okay, as long as I could keep working on what I love with so many other driven, hardworking, and kind teachers and friends. I was more than happy with just having the opportunity to be at the program. Then I was hit with this award. It is beyond my ability to convey how helpful this scholarship is to me. Thank you for the work you and the Alpert Foundation do for so many ambitious and diligent young artists in acknowledging the work we do and giving us the support we need to go to school...," says Cohan Lin, 2017 Animation student and recipient.
Applications will be available for CSSSA Summer 2018 beginning December 2017 at http://www.csssa.org. For more information on Bridge to College, college scholarships or to donate, visit csssaf.org.