The Art is For Everybody Fund (AEF) empowers youth and teens facing socio-economic barriers to attend studio programs in Easthampton.

The Art is For Everybody Fund

Who is the Art is For Everybody Fund for?

  • Scholarships for Young Artists

    The Art is For Everybody Fund includes financial support for young people ages 5-17 who would not otherwise be able to attend art studio programs at RCA. You can live/attend school anywhere in the region at receive an AEF Scholarship. Attendees on scholarship make up more than 60% of our youth program enrollment.

    Learn about Youth Programs in Easthampton

  • RCA supports young artists in Springfield, too

    Did you know we also fundraise year-round to provide free afterschool art for students in the South End of Springfield? “The Maple Street Artists” afterschool art has been running since 2022 and serves over 80 kids annually.

    Learn about RCA Programming in Springfield

 Applying for an AEF Scholarship

  • All youth and teen programs have scholarship funding available. The application is listed on our program sign up page and you can also find the application link here

    The application is simple and straightforward. We.ask what your child would like to learn in the studio and basic contact information. Teens ages 12+ are encouraged to complete the non-financial portion of the application on their own.

  • You can live anywhere in the Valley to recieve support from the AEF. Most programs are open to kids ages 5-17.

    We currently do not require income verification or other tedious processes. We keep our application simple to eliminate barriers that would keep youth in need from accessing tis resource. On the application you’ll be asked: “Does your family qualify for free or reduced lunch, or other income based supports? And/or, is your family experiencing a financial hardship that would prevent your child from attending any enrichment activities?” You can answer this question however you see fit.

    If you don’t feel that your family needs support from the AEF, but would like to make your child’s program payment a little more easeful, anyone can request a payment plan.

  • RCA offers partial scholarships to all applicants for as long as funding is available and there is space in the program.

    We pivoted to partial-funding only in 2024 as this helps stretch the scholarship fund further and include more kids.

    On the application, you’ll be asked how much you can contribute to your program fee. This is up to your personal finances. RCA will cover the rest through the AEF. You’ll receive a digital invoice with a payment link to pay your balance.

    Once your scholarship is approved, you’ll get a registration code to complete your registration and reserve your child’s spot in the program.

  • AEF scholarship applications are reviewed in the order they are received. This ensures that funds are distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis. You will typically hear back from us via email in 3-5 business days or sooner.

    We often experience an influx in applications for summer programs, and appreciate your patience during this busy season.

  • Currently, there are no limits to how many times you can apply or receive an AEF scholarship.