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Shooting Stars Scholarship Program

ARTS COUNCIL OF JOHNSON COUNTY

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Funding Amount

$1,400 (1st place) and $700 (2nd place) per student; $300-$350 teacher honorariums

Deadline

October 31, 2026

202 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Shooting Stars Scholarship Program

Overview: The Shooting Stars Recognition, Scholarship & Awards Program was created in 1997 by former Arts Council of Johnson County chairman Bob Endres to celebrate young Johnson County artists for their artistic excellence in high school.

Geographic Scope: Johnson County, Kansas

Focus Areas: Recognition and college scholarships for high school seniors in nine categories of literary, performing, and visual arts:

  • Literature (prose/poetry)

  • Photography

  • Production & Design

  • Strings

  • Theatre Performance

  • Three-Dimensional Art

  • Two-Dimensional Art

  • Voice Classical

  • Winds & Percussion

    • Award Structure:

  • Nine $1,400 first-place scholarships

  • Nine $700 second-place scholarships

  • Nine $300-$350 teacher honorariums for nominating teachers

    • Eligibility:

  • Must live in Johnson County, Kansas

  • Must be in 12th grade and graduating in spring

  • Must be nominated by an Arts teacher from their high school

  • Must submit an application

    • Program History:

  • Since founding in 1997, has awarded more than $400,000 in college scholarships

  • Has awarded approximately $65,000 in teacher honorariums

  • Has honored more than 1,500 high school seniors

    • Collaborators: Johnson County Community College, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, Kansas City Art Institute, and local arts educators

    Support: Program is supported by Johnson County and area foundations, corporations, and individual donors

    Contact: Arts Council of Johnson County

  • Website: artsjoco.org

  • Email: Available on website

  • Phone: Available on website

    • How to Apply

    Application Process

    Nomination Process:
    1. Arts teachers from schools throughout Johnson County nominate students
    2. Nominations are accepted annually (typically in October)
    3. Finalists are named in November
    4. Finalists audition or submit a portfolio of work for review

    Eligibility Requirements for Students:

  • Live in Johnson County, Kansas

  • Be in 12th grade and graduating in spring

  • Be nominated by an Arts teacher from their high school

  • Submit an application

    • Selection Process:

  • Independent judges review student work

  • Judges select scholarship recipients based on artistic excellence

  • Awards are announced at the annual Shooting Stars Gala (typically in April)

    • Required Materials:

  • Application form (to be submitted by nominated students)

  • Portfolio of artistic work or audition performance (varies by category)

  • Nomination from high school Arts teacher

    • Submission Format: Varies by discipline - students either submit a portfolio or perform a live audition depending on their category

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    artseducationyouth-programs

    Categories

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