Scholarship Information and Guidelines for Graduating High School Seniors

The Pavilion Partners Fine Arts Scholarships were developed to promote the study of fine arts by graduating high school students who intend to pursue fine arts studies in college with a goal of a degree in fine arts and a career in fine arts.  These scholarships which are awarded annually, are merit based on talent and academic achievement.  Financial need is not considered.

Graduating high school seniors who reside or attend school within the north Houston geographic boundaries set by the Scholarship Committee may apply in one of six fine arts disciplines: Dance, Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre, Theatre Arts, Visual Art, and Vocal Music. Note that applicants may apply only under one discipline and are not permitted to submit a second application in a different discipline.

The values of the scholarships are determined by the current availability of funds. Recently, these scholarships have ranged from $2500 to $7500. Amounts awarded and number of recipients are determined at the discretion of the Pavilion Partners Scholarship Committee.

Recent recipients of a Pavilion Partners Fine Arts Scholarship may be able to renew their scholarship provided they meet specific criteria. If awarded, the values of renewal scholarships are determined by the current availability of funds. Recently, these renewal scholarships have been for $1000 or more.

For questions about requirements, eligibility or the application process, email scholarships@woodlandscenter.org.

Eligibility for Fine Arts Scholarships for High School Seniors

The Pavilion Partners Fine Arts Scholarships were developed to promote the study of fine arts by graduating high school students who intend to pursue fine arts studies in college with a goal of a degree in fine arts and a career in fine arts.  To be eligible to apply for, or to be awarded a Pavilion Partners Fine Arts Scholarship, an applicant must:

• Be a graduating high school senior.
• Major solely in fine arts disciplines in college and pursue a bachelor’s degree.  Pursuing a double major that involves a discipline outside of the fine arts is not acceptable.
• Reside or attend school within the geographic boundaries set by the Scholarship Committee.  Applicants may attend a public school, a private school, a homeschool, or an online school.  Boundaries are the following school district attendance zones:
• Aldine ISD
• Conroe ISD
• Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
• Humble ISD
• Klein ISD
• Magnolia ISD
• Montgomery ISD
• New Caney ISD
• Spring ISD
• Splendora ISD
• Tomball ISD
• Willis ISD

Applicants who attend accredited online schools operated by school districts not listed are eligible only if they reside within the above school district boundaries.

• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or eligible resident.
• Eligible applicants may apply in only one (1) discipline. Applicants are not permitted to submit a second application in a different discipline.

Application Requirements for High School Seniors

Be aware that as part of the application, the following additional documents and material will need to be submitted through Acceptd for the application to be complete and for the applicant to be considered for a scholarship:

• High School Transcript.  GPA must be shown.  Class ranking also should be shown if provided by the school.
• Two (2) letters of recommendation.  One (1) of the two (2) required letters must be from an instructor in applicant’s chosen field such as a school teacher or private instructor.  The other letter may be from a mentor or anyone who knows the applicant.  Neither letter may be from someone who is related to the applicant.
• Applicants will provide two (2) recommender email addresses in the application and upon submission of application, the recommenders will receive an email from Acceptd with a link to submit their letter of recommendation on applicant's behalf.
• Recommenders must submit their letter by the deadline stated in their notification email.
• Headshot photograph.  Should be a tightly cropped photo of face from the shoulders up.
• Discipline-specific audition video(s) and/or media files – see instructions here.

Scholarship Deadlines and Important Dates for High School Seniors

It is the sole responsibility of each applicant to be aware of and comply with all dates, deadlines, and application requirements.

The Scholarship Committee will not accept or consider any incomplete or late applications. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Important Dates and Deadlines for High School Seniors

• October 1, 2022 – Online application opens
• January 18, 2023 – Online application closes
• January 25, 2023 – Letters of recommendation deadline
• March 1, 2023 – Notifications sent for time and date of in-person auditions and presentations
• March 28-29, 2023 – In-person auditions for invited applicants
• Mid-April 2023 – Scholarship recipients notified
• May 1, 2023 – Celebration of recipients at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Evaluation Procedure and Notification of High School Senior Scholarship Recipients

• All complete applications received by the deadline will be reviewed and evaluated by a panel of Scholarship Committee members and panels of discipline-specific judges who are experts in that field.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Some applicants may be invited for an in-person audition or presentation.  Those applicants will be notified of their audition time and date.  Please note that each year some disciplines may not require in-person auditions or presentations.
• In-person auditions and presentations will be held at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and attendance is mandatory to be further considered for a scholarship.
• Recipients of scholarships will be notified and there will be a celebration held at the Pavilion to honor them.

Additional Information

• The application is confidential, for exclusive use of the Pavilion Partners Scholarship Committee.  The letters of recommendation and transcripts will not be returned and become property of the Scholarship Committee.
• The Pavilion Partners has the right to refuse and/or retract any application or award during the judging, awarding, or post-awarding process.  Refusal/retractions can be based on but not limited to nonfactual or incorrect information provided in the application or failure to meet any of the requirements.
• All scholarship monies are paid directly to the college or university in which the recipient enrolls as a fine arts major.  Funds are not paid to individuals.
• Scholarship recipients may be invited to perform at a Pavilion Partners meeting or fundraising event.
• For additional information, contact The Pavilion Partners Scholarship Committee at scholarships@woodlandscenter.org.

You can download a PDF Version of Requirements, here.