FUTURA with scholarship recipients at our 2022 gala.

The Futura for the Future Scholarship Fund was seeded with a $100,000 gift from artist Lenny McGurr in 2022.

The scholarships are awarded to college and graduate students from Free Arts NYC, who are interested in pursuing the arts academically or professionally. Each student is eligible to apply for $1,000 of unrestricted funds each year they are in school. The fund was established to offer some relief from the financial burdens of college.

Sponsor a Scholarship

Recipients:

94%

are People of Color

60%

have a 3.0 GPA or higher

83%

are dependent on
financial aid

57%

first-generation
college students

“Falling for this Outfit”, 2023, digital illustration

“For this scholarship, I will happily use it to buy art supplies. Even though I get financial aid, it’s very hard to pay for the amount of materials they ask us to have in class. I’ll be able to pay for those materials and not fall behind in classes that are required.”

—Makeda, Sophomore, ArtCenter College of Design, Aspiring Designer

“Wanting, Longing, Craving”, 2023, digital illustration

“I will put this scholarship toward art supplies. I have many illustration classes that require specific supplies—it all ends up being quite expensive. I will also use the money to buy textbooks for my non-major classes and to commute to school.”

—Yesenia, Junior, Fashion Institute of Technology, Aspiring Illustrator

“Being a commuter student with a low-income household, this scholarship was instrumental in helping me cope with the financial stressors that come with being a student. I use the MTA daily; reliable transportation is essential to my education.”

—Nayellis, Junior, Fordham University, Studying Data Visualization

The Moyer Martinez Grant is a yearly gift to support the practices of young artists from the five boroughs of New York. This is a nonrestrictive gift, not specified for scholastic pursuit. Recipients have complete control over their use of the funds. The Moyer Martinez Grant is funded directly by Sam Moyer & Eddie Martinez and has been awarded to Free Arts NYC students for four consecutive years.

2023 Recipient: Leah (left) with her mentor

2022 Recipients: Yeasin, Isaura & Jackie

2020 Inaugural Recipient: Rhesa

Amir & mentee Isuara

Artist and Free Arts mentor, Amir Hariri, and his wife, Kim Desmarais, have committed to fund three yearly $1,500 scholarships to Free Arts Students interested in architecture and design. Maimouna, Isaura, and Bryan are the 2023 inaugural recipients.