Scholarship Program
Smith Mountain Arts Council Awards 2025 Arts Scholarships
Connor Dunford
Connor Dunford, from Franklin County High School, achieved a 4.3 GPA with a focus on Concert Band and Instrumental Performance playing alto saxophone with deep technical mastery. He has won multiple 1st Chair competition awards and the FCHS National Band Leadership Award. Connor also publishes concert band music for international publication. Connor plans to attend James Madison University to major in Music Education. In the community, he is active in his church Youth Mission Team and aides in diocesan wide events on a regular basis. Conor will receive his scholarship on May 28 at the Franklin County High School Award Program.
Emma Hager
Emma Hager from Staunton River High School in Bedford County achieved a 4.2 GPA. Emma has studied at LeeAnne Ashley Studio of Dance for 11 years and won many awards. In high school she was director of the Key Club, and is earning her Associate’s degree by the time she graduates from high school. Emma plans to pursue dance and Nutrition/Wellness curriculums at Radford University, aspiring to become a Sports Dietitian in the community. Emma attended Rotary youth leadership awards in 2022 and participated in the Virginia 4-H state Congress in 2023 and 2024. Emma will receive her scholarship on May 17th at the Staunton River high school awards program.
About the 2025 Scholarship
Announcement
SMAC awards up to two $2,000 two-year college scholarships for high school seniors demonstrating talent in the Performing, Visual or Literary Arts. Eligible students must be attending the following high schools or are home schooled in the geographic areas of these schools: Franklin County High School, Gretna High School, Staunton River High School, Christian Heritage Academy and SML Christian Academy.
Applications are open to students who will be studying in all recognized academic disciplines at either two- or four-year accredited colleges, universities, or community colleges. This is a change from a previous rule which stated that the scholarships were only available to students who planned to pursue an arts major. It is hoped that this will bring in a wider selection of talented students.
Scholarships will be paid in the amount of $1,000 per year for the first two years of enrollment. In order to receive the second payment, the student must submit his or her first-year transcript to the SMAC Scholarship Committee and show progress satisfactory.
Applicants may not be related to any member of the Smith Mountain Arts Council Board of Directors, incomplete applications will not be considered, and scholarship amounts may be used only for tuition.
Method of Selection
Recipients will be selected by the SMAC Scholarship Committee. Applications will be considered based on Artistic Goals & Academic Record; Artistic Activities, Awards & Honors; Other Academic Awards & Honors; High School & Community Activities and Work Experience. A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher is required.
Application Requirements
Applications must be endorsed by the Guidance Department/Home-School Coordinator. Applications must be received by the committee by Mar 31, 2025 and must include the following:
- Completed Application Form
- Copies of Artistic Work (documents, photos, videos, or links to artistic works)
- High School Transcript to Date
- Three [3] Letters of Recommendation: one [1] from arts teacher, one [1] from other teacher or high school official and one [1] from a community person not related to applicant
Get and Submit Application
The Scholarship 2025 application deadline was Mar 31, 2025.
Use the link below to download the application and to submit all application materials. Any questions can be addressed to Kathleen Riordan, the SMAC Scholarship Chair, at scholarship@smac-arts.com.
Click here to download application and submit all application materials.
Scholarship Checks
Scholarship checks will be sent directly to the college on receipt of a copy of the letter of acceptance, mailing address, enrollment ID and social security number. Scholarship funds will be applied only to the student’s tuition cost.
Note:
Martha (Marty) Bowers was the SMAC treasurer for nearly thirty years. She was a vital board member and friend who ensured the arts thrived in the Smith Mountain Lake area. To honor her contributions, for 2026 and beyond, we have decided to rename our current SMAC Scholarships to high school students as the Martha Bowers Memorial SMAC Scholarship.
