IMA Scholarships & Bursaries
Application Deadline is ONE MONTH before the program Begins unless otherwise indicated (programs may sell out; apply early to ensure a space).
Scholarships and bursaries can be applied to any program offered by Island Mountain Arts.
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of achievement and ability.
Bursaries are awarded on the basis of financial need and ability.
Assistance through IMA Scholarship or Bursary funds will normally cover to a maximum of 50% of the instruction fees for a course. Travel, accommodation and meals remain the responsibility of the applicant.
Please note: Scholarships are often program-specific. Please ensure you have read the parameters of the fund before applying. If you are unsure about what fund you should be applying to, please email info@imarts.com.
“Through the generous donations of past and present supporters, Island Mountain Arts is able to provide financial assistance to those students who show high levels of aptitude and who seek to further develop their skills in a specific area of the arts. ”
These funds are received from a variety of sources including: Island Mountain Arts Endowment Fund; The Ann Gillespie Memorial Fund (specifically for Harp School Scholarships and Bursaries); The Alan J Karmazyn Fund (specifically towards Children’s Scholarships and Bursaries).
Learn more about the Endowment Fund, and the people behind the scholarships here: www.imarts.com/ima-endowment-fund
How to Apply
SCHOLARSHIP & BURSARY APPLICATIONS HAVE MOVED ONLINE
Scholarship and Bursary Applications are facilitated online through a form that allows applicants to self-select scholarships/bursaries they are eligible for. This process standardizes the collection of information for processing.
A plain text copy of the application that you can download and work in can be accessed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RZevCccp3HrOZ21Kk3df45gt3r7Jk4Ze5xutUM7mDCc/edit?usp=sharing
If you have any comments on this new process, please feel free to email them to feedback@imarts.com.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES For All Programs
IMA Scholarship
This scholarship covers 50% of the tuition and is open to all artists.
IMA Bursaries
If not selected for a scholarship Island Mountain Arts has a limited number partial bursaries based on financial need. Please indicate if you would like to be considered for a bursary.
Scholarships and Bursaries for Visual Arts ProgramS
Island Mountain Arts School of the Arts is pleased to announce scholarship opportunities for visual artists to the juried 2023 Toni Onley Artists’ Project for Professional and Emerging Artists. The 2023 program runs July 1st -9th.
Scholarships/Bursaries Available
Sonia Cornwall Scholarship
This scholarship, which covers the full tuition, is available for one artist living in the Cariboo.
The Joseph Plaskett Scholarship
Announced in 2009, the Joseph Plaskett Scholarship provides the full tuition for one Canadian artist to attend the Artists’ Project.
The Sylvia Graham Scholarship
Announced in 2011 in memory of Quesnel artist Sylvia Graham, this scholarship covers 50% of the tuition and is open to artists from across Canada.
Toni & Bernie Cattani Fund for the Arts
50% Bursary for an Okanagan artist.
Scholarships and Bursaries for Writing Programs
The Julie Fowler Scholarship for Literary and Writing Workshops
This scholarship is for 100% of the tuition an emerging-to-mid-career writer working in any artistic discipline. (Literary Arts and songwriting workshops applicable)
This scholarship was established in 2023 in celebration of the contributions made by Arts Organizer Julie Fowler. Julie was the Artistic and Executive Director of Island Mountain Arts until 2020, and had a 17 year tenure with the organization beginning in 2003.
Julie is passionate about celebrating and promoting artists, and has helped to create two award-winning festivals: the Art Matters Festival at Concordia University in Montreal and the ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art in Wells. Both festivals feature a range of artistic mediums including performance and visual arts.
During her tenure with IMA, she graduated with an Interdisciplinary MFA from the University of British Columbia, Okanagan in 2013. Her thesis project, a creative non-fiction novel called the Grande Dames of the Cariboo, was published by Caitlin Press that same year.
In 2020, she was awarded the distinguished service award by the BC Museums Association for unique and outstanding contributions to the museum, gallery, archive and/or heritage community. In 2022, she helped found the Ignite the Arts Festival in her home of Penticton, BC. She continues to make contributions as a writer, organizer, consultant and visionary to the arts community at large.
Scholarships and Bursaries for Music Programs
Tempest Grace Gale Scholarship for IMA Songwriting Workshops:
Thanks to an initial contribution from the Iredale-Gray Family, IMA created this scholarship fund to go towards a musician wanting to attend the IMA Songwriting program. Tempest Grace Gale (1984 – 2008) died suddenly on November 18th, 2009 on Hornby Island. Tempest had been part of the ArtsWells Festival since 2006 doing an amazing array of artistic performance including, stilt walking, unicycling, fire spinning, spoken word poetry, singing, banjo playing and any combination of the above.
Selection Criteria
What are the Selection Criteria?
Based on a review of the application materials and the following considerations, Island Mountain Arts will select individuals to receive scholarships. Scholarships will be awarded through a juried process based on the details submitted.
Questions? Call 1 250 994 3466 (Toll-Free 1-855-994-3466) or email toap@imarts.com
Island Mountain Arts is always open to new funding ideas and opportunities.
Please contact us: 1-855-994-3466 or elyssia@imarts.com with your ideas and support.