$3000 in Awards Sponsored by Salem Arts Association Salem Arts Scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors attending any Massachusetts North Shore school (public, charter, or private), who are pursuing visual or performing arts at a university or accredited art school the following fall.
Three scholarship awards will be offered
- Creative Collective Innovation Award: $1000 award to a graduate who demonstrates creative innovation in visual arts, performance, or multi-media.
- Ellen Hardy Memorial Scholarship: $1000 award to a graduate who demonstrates creative achievement in visual arts, performance, or multi-media.
- Paula Beaulieu Memorial Scholarship: $1000 award to a graduate who demonstrates creative achievement in the visual arts.
Application process:
Applicants do not apply for a specific scholarship. Our Scholarship committee will review all scholarship applications and award based on eligibility and other criteria.
- Please complete the application form.
- Provide a personal artist statement.
- Provide at least 5 samples (JPG images or media files) representing your creative work.
- Recommendations from your faculty, instructors, or advisors are welcome but not necessary.
- Apply online, via email, or postal service.
- Applications Due Monday May 5, 2025
Application Forms:
Apply Online:
Click the button below to complete the online application form and upload images of artworks and other attachments.
Apply Online
Apply via email:
Email your completed application to scholarship@SalemArts.org. Please include all required files as attachments to your email:
Emailed application must be received on or before Monday May 5, 2025.
Apply using Mail:
Mail your application form and examples of your artwork to:
Mailed application must be postmarked on or before Monday May 5, 2025.
Salem Arts Association
Art School Scholarships
159 Derby Street
Salem MA 01970
Creative Collective Innovation Award
The Innovation Award is sponsored by Salem Arts Association, and provided by Creative Collective. Creative Collective was created to support the critically important intersection of economic development and the creative workforce. It is a community of makers, artisans, creators, small businesses, and economic development strategists. The Collective fosters growth, sustainability, and scalability for small businesses, creative thinkers, organizations, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
Be Bold! This award encourages inclusive innovation in any creative effort and celebrates student achievements that take their talent to new places through interdisciplinary work, collaborations, breaking systemic boundaries, and creating outcomes beyond the traditional.
Award Purpose and Eligibility:
The Creative Collective Innovation Award will offer one $1,000 scholarship each spring to a graduating senior attending any Massachusetts North Shore school (public, charter, or private), who is pursuing visual or performing arts at a university or accredited art school the following fall. Visual arts, graphic design, performing arts, music, acting, or other areas of creative expression will be considered.
The Ellen Hardy Memorial Scholarship
Ellen Gibson Hardy (May 18, 1952 — June 18, 2017)
An artist at heart, Ellen forged a career in the Art, Graphic Design, and Publishing world. She founded her own company, Hardy House, which was a full-service Art and Design business of which she was the proprietor for over 19-years working with the likes of MIT, Harvard, Yale, and many other educational and professional organizations. During the years as president of Hardy House she began to exhibit her own artwork at galleries throughout New England and taught Graphic Arts at the Cambridge Adult Center for Education and at Phillips Academy where she also served as Director of Publications for over 14 years.
Ellen Hardy was a profound influence on the Salem artistic scene through her involvement with the Salem Public Arts Commission, the annual Salem Arts Festival, and Salem Arts Association, which she advocated heavily for. Ellen served for several years as a member and president of Salem Arts Association. She was also a prolific artist and performer herself. We are honored to offer this scholarship program in her memory.
Award Purpose and Eligibility:
The Ellen Hardy Memorial Scholarship will offer one $1,000 scholarship each spring to a graduating senior attending any Massachusetts North Shore school (public, charter, or private), who is pursuing visual or performing arts at a university or accredited art school the following fall. Visual arts, graphic design, performing arts, music, acting, or other areas of creative expression will be considered.
The Paula Beaulieu Art Scholarship
Paula Frances Beaulieu (May 28, 1947 - January 24, 2014)
Paula obtained her B.S. degree from Lowell State University before obtaining her M.S. in Arts & Education at Florida Atlantic University. Her career included teaching grades 2 and 5 at Pearl St. School in Reading, Mass., author of children’s educational books, counselor, and educational toy developer to name a few. Most notably, Paula was an art educator, running her own business teaching people of all ages to “Connect with Their Creativity” for over 15 years. Paula was an artist throughout her life, a legacy she brought forward from her mother Rita Casey.
After growing up in Methuen, Mass., Paula resided in Hollywood, Florida and Reading, Mass. (where she raised her two sons Dan and Matt) before moving to Salem, Mass., where she spent her remaining years. “Creativity occurs in the moment, and in the moment we are timeless.”
—The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron
Paula Beaulieu was an active artist in the Salem Arts Association and taught young and old alike through her program “Connect with Their Creativity.” Her family has chosen Salem Arts Association and Salem High School as beneficiaries of any donations made in her honor.
Award Purpose and eligibility:
The Paula Beaulieu Memorial Scholarship will offer one $1,000 scholarship each spring to a graduating senior attending any Massachusetts North Shore school (public, charter, or private), who is pursuing visual arts at a university or accredited art school the following fall. All visual arts media will be considered.
