For Immediate Release: May 23, 2007
Contact: Jeff Morgan
Public Relations
515.281.3858
Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov
Three Iowa students receive arts scholarships
DES MOINES – The Iowa Arts Council today announced it has selected three Iowa high school students to receive the Iowa Scholarship for the Arts.
The award is given to Iowa residents who will graduate from an Iowa high school during the 2006-2007 academic year and have proven artistic ability in dance, literature (creative writing), music, theater, traditional arts or visual arts. Each recipient will receive $1,000 toward his or her college tuition and related expenses as a full-time undergraduate at a fully-accredited Iowa college or university with a major in one or more of the disciplines considered for the award.
“These three talented Iowans have shown exceptional leadership and creative skills in the arts,” said Cyndi Pederson, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. “We are delighted we can acknowledge their accomplishments and help support their future education with these grants.”
This year’s recipients are:
Kelsey Reeve of Cedar Rapids, who will be attending the University of Iowa majoring in Music Education and Violin Performance. Kelsey was a 4-year all state violinist, and this year, received the top score and ranking for violins at the auditions in her region.
Nolan Vallier of Council Bluffs, who will attend Iowa State University studying music and acoustics. In addition to music, Nolan is very active in theatre arts and hopes to continue with those interests at the college level as well.
William Beyer of Vinton, who will be attending the University of Northern Iowa for Music Education. William is a saxophonist and pianist and has received a number of honors and awards for his compositions and performing, including the Music Teachers National Association Composition Contest for piano solo.
In conjunction with the State of Iowa’s Homecoming 1986 celebration, world-renowned opera singer Simon Estes held a benefit concert to establish the Iowa Scholarship for the Arts. From 1986 to 1994 the Iowa Arts Council awarded scholarships to more than 20 undergraduate students who excelled in the arts. By 1994, most of the funds raised from the benefit concert had been expended.
In 1996, the Iowa Arts Council established an endowment to guarantee perpetual funding of the Iowa Scholarships for the Arts Program. Initial partners who contributed funds to establish the endowment included Two Rivers Arts Festival and Raccoon River Brewing Company in Des Moines, the Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs and private donations by Iowa Arts Council board members and private citizens.
IAC is a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and works to enrich the quality of life and learning in Iowa communities by encouraging excellence in the arts through leadership, grants and technical assistance. Funding for the Iowa Arts Council and its programs is provided by the State of Iowa and the National Endowment for the Arts. Please visit www.iowaartscouncil.org or call 515-281-5111 for more information.