Shooting Stars Scholarship Program

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

• Website: artsjoco.org
• Email: Available on website
• Phone: Available on website

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