Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — The Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit that supports classical music education through scholarships and grants, has awarded $27,000 to local music programs.
The foundation’s Education Grant Committee met in early June to discuss the 2023 disbursement of funds for music education programs. These funds are distributed following the foundation’s annual performing arts competition, in which individual vocal and instrumental students receive scholarships and prizes to support their musical studies. Foundation funds that remain after the competition are used for program grant awards, said President Deborah Bertling.
“The grant process is by invitation and focuses on arts organizations that support and foster the foundation’s mission,” Bertling said. “Our mission is to provide financial assistance to young musicians studying classical performing arts and to support music education in our community.”
This year’s top grant recipients include the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, which provides extensive training and performance opportunities for young musicians. Many participating students ultimately compete in the foundation’s competitions.
The Santa Barbara Education Foundation also received a grant. The organization offers music lessons and instruments to public school students through its Keep The Beat program, and runs two music summer camps for local youth: Nick Rail Band Camp and Summer String Camp.
Other awardees include the Community Arts Music Association of Santa Barbara’s Music Matters program, Opera Santa Barbara’s student dress rehearsal performances, and State Street Ballet’s student ticket program and classroom outreach. These groups provide students with musical exposure and training in the classroom or in the theater.
Bertling said the foundation’s ability to grant funds this year was limited by stock market fluctuations, the sum of financial gifts the organization received, and soaring inflation. However, the foundation remains committed to giving what it can to foster the ongoing development of Santa Barbara’s young musical talent, she said.
The Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation was formed in 1982 by the late Sylvia Dellar. Since its inception, the foundation has helped hundreds of students in their performing arts goals through the competition award funds, as well as encouragement awards to select students in the audition process. Awards are given based on talent and skill first, but also with consideration of their financial need.
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