Student Scholarships

NYSATA awards four one-time scholarships annually to seniors who plan to pursue post-secondary education in the arts. Scholarships are open to graduating seniors planning to attend a College Art Program of study. Scholarship applicants must be students of current NYSATA member teachers.

STUDENTS will need complete each item below. Place all of your materials in a folder that you can share through a Google Drive or Drop Box account. If your Google account is a school-provided account, be sure to select link sharing options that enable you to share with people outside your organization. When all your materials are complete, e-mail your teacher the link to your shared digital folder.

TEACHERS must submit the student application online using the link to the right by the May 31 deadline. Current membership is required. You will need your NYSATA member username and password to log in to the submission form.

2025 Application Materials 

Step 1: Student Portfolio Slideshow
Students should use the slide template below to build their portfolio. Complete instructions are included within the template. 

Portfolio Slide Template

Step 2: Suppporting Documents
Complete the Media Release for NYSATA to use and publish your work PLUS collect one letter of recommendation from your art teacher. 

Media Release Form

STEP 3: Review and Submit by May 31
Teacher must submit link to student application folder.
Sponsoring teacher must be a current NYSATA member.

Teachers CLICK HERE to Submit


Questions? [email protected]

New in 2024 and 2025

The Jessica Bayer Scholarship, named for a founder of the NYSATA Portfolio Project, will award $250 to a selected senior who participated in the NYSATA Portfolio Project in high school  with a rating of Distinguished. An increase in these scholarships has been made possible by a generous matching donation from the daughters of Jessica Bayer, Eve and Tracey.

 

The Jessica Bayer Scholarship Award of $500

Athena Wang

Lindenhurst High School, Lindenhurst, NY
Planning to attend University of Florida
Nominating Teacher—Carmela Bode

The Jessica Bayer Scholarship Award of $500

Mark Heeralall
Western Suffolk BOCES: Wilson Technological Center, Northport, NY
Planning to attend Savannah College of Art and Design
Nominating Teacher—Cheryl Manzella

2025 Scholarship Winners

Zara B. Kimmey
Award

$1000

Alyssa Huang
Syosset High School, Syosset, NY
Planning to attend University of Virginia
Nominating Teacher—Tiffany Holtje

 

Bill Milliken
Award

$500

Katie Kun
Syosset High School, Syosset, NY
Planning to attend Boston University
Nominating Teacher—Michael Carolan

 

Aida Snow/Elaine Goldman Award
$500

Mary Kate Gomez
Orchard Park Central Schools, Orchard Park, NY
Planning to attend State University of New York at Buffalo
Nominating Teacher—Daniella Perla

 

Aida Snow/Elaine Goldman Award
$500

Trinity Ramdin
Valley Stream Central High School District, Valley Stream, NY
Planning to attend Pratt Institute
Nominating Teacher—Mario Bakalov

ZARA B. KIMMEY BILL MILLIKEN AIDA SNOW ELAINE GOLDMAN

Zara B. Kimmey was a founding member of NYSATA and the first Art Education Associate serving in the New York State Education Department. An annual one-time award of $1000 has been established in honor of her exemplary service to the field of art education.

Bill Milliken waa a Vendors' representative on the NYSATA Board of Trustees. He encouraged generous support for art education from the manufacturers and distributors of art materials. An annual one-time award of $500 has been established in honor of his exemplary service to the field of art education.

Aida Snow has left a legacy of enabling NYSATA to help visual art students in New York State pursue their dreams. Together, Elaine Goldman and Aida Snow established a generous endowment for NYSATA that enabes two one-time scholarship awards of $500 each, annually.

Elaine Goldman is a retired Region 9 member who continues to participate at the regional level and is a faithful attendee and frequent presenter at the state conference. Together, Elaine Goldman and Aida Snow established a generous endowment for NYSATA that enabes two one-time scholarship awards of $500 each, annually.