For DonorsFor Applicants

Patricia A. Curley Memorial Arts Scholarship

Funded by
$5,000
1 winner$5,000
Awarded
Application Deadline
Nov 27, 2023
Winners Announced
Dec 27, 2023
Education Level
Undergraduate
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
Undergraduate student
Background:
Financial need
Field of Study:
Arts (visual arts, music, creative writing, etc.)

Patricia A. Curley was a beloved aunt who was passionate about the arts and created an artistic legacy in her family.

Patricia was a generous and enthusiastic supporter of the arts. She initiated an annual family talent show, which is still going strong 15 years later. An accountant by trade, she started taking piano lessons in her mid-thirties and started her first novel in her early fifties. Patricia imparted her love of art and culture to all who surrounded her. Sadly, she passed away in her early sixties before her creative dreams were fully realized. Aside from her love and support of the arts, her most distinguishing character trait was her financial generosity. 

This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Patricia A. Curley by supporting students who are involved in the arts.

Any undergraduate student with financial need who is involved in the arts may apply for this scholarship, but non-traditional students and those interested in accounting/finance are preferred.

To apply, tell us about your passion for the arts, why your financial status has made it difficult to pursue your dreams, and how you use both your right and left brain.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Need
Published September 2, 2023
Essay Topic

Please tell us about your passion for the arts and why your financial situation has made it difficult to pursue. How do you use your right brain and left brain?

400–600 words

Winning Application

Emily Bonora
Seattle Pacific UniversityChino, CA
My passion is fashion and costume design. I have changed my major in the past year to fashion design in order to focus on my passion and help other people like me to feel comfortable and seen in their bodies while wearing clothes in their own style. I am a plus-size person and have been plus-size for most of my life. When I was in high school, I realized that I was not able to buy fun or trendy clothes or clothes that fit my style because of my size, so I started to design and make my own clothes. I felt like I had more control over what I could wear if I could make my own clothing or alter second-hand clothes to fit me. My mother is a single mother who raised 2 kids by herself with little help. She always tried to hide how difficult it was financially for her when we would go back to school shopping, so I felt better that making my own clothes lessened the cost for my mom. This means that I have always chosen the cheapest education option as well. I went to community college for my first two years before transferring to the university that I am attending now. Now that I am paying for college, I need extra help in covering those costs. I would say I am probably more right-brained, as I have lots of creative hobbies such as embroidering and knitting. I grew up going to quilt shows with my mom and grandmother, because they work together as a fabric business. They would have a booth at a lot of quilt shows, and I would go with them if my school schedule allowed it. My mom would buy me a small project to keep me interested. These projects were all little handstitched crafts that I would work on and learn new stitches. I decided to continue making crafts such as those when I got older and have found a passion in adding little embroidered details onto my clothes or purses. I use my left brain when thinking through any purchase I make, whether it comes to specific groceries or deciding whether the quality of a clothing item would be appropriate for the price. I like to buy things online, where I can clearly see all the items in my cart and the total price, so I can take out whatever I decide is not worth the price.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Nov 27, 2023. Winners will be announced on Dec 27, 2023.