Scholarships for artists- All you need to know

The Ministry of Culture awards scholarships to young artists in various cultural fields, including traditional arts forms, so they can pursue advanced training in their fields. Each year, 400 scholarships are available. If eligible, one can apply for both years separately. Candidates can find details about the schemes, application guidelines, eligibility conditions/criteria, and the application module on the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and CCRT websites. Scholarship Program for Young Artists in Various Cultural Fields: This Scheme aims to provide financial aid to young artists of exceptional promise for advanced training in Indian classical music, Indian classical dance, theatre, mime, visual art, Folk, traditional and indigenous arts, and light classical music in India.

Scholarships are available in the following subjects/fields

• Classical Indian Music 
• Hindustani Classical Music (Vocal and Instrumental)
•  Carnatic Classical Music (Vocal & Instrumental etc.) 
• Dance Music/Indian Classical Dance 
• Kathak, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Mohiniattam, Odissi Dance/Music, Manipuri Dance/Music, Thangta, Gaudiya Nritya, Chhau Dance/Music, Sattriya Dance 
• Any specialized area of theatre art, including acting, directing, and so on, excluding playwriting and research. 
• Mime. 
• Graphics, Sculpture, Painting, Creative Photography, Pottery & Ceramics, and other Visual Arts 
• Folk, Traditional, and Indigenous Arts Puppetry, Folk Theatre, Folk Dances, Folk Songs, Folk Music, and so on are examples of folk, traditional, and indigenous arts. 
• (Students can find a preliminary list at Para 10 ‘Note.’) 
• Classical Music for Relaxation 
• Thumri, Dadra, Tappa, Qawali, Ghazal, Carnatic Light Classical Music.
• Atulprasad, Rabindra Sangeet, and Nazrul Geeti

Scholarship duration and terms

 The scholarship will be valid for two years. Each situation will establish the nature of training after considering the Scholar’s previous training and background. It is usually in the form of advanced training under a Guru/Master or in a recognized school. 

The Scholar will perform rigorous training. Such training will entail at least three hours of practice every day, along with learning the theory of the subject/field in question and developing a respect for the associated disciplines.

Each Scholar will get paid Rs. 5000/- per month for two years to cover living expenses such as travel, books, art supplies or other equipment, and tuition or training fees, if applicable.

Eligibility 

The selected scholars must be between the ages of 18 and 25 and should have completed at least five years of training under the supervision of a mentor or institution. The scholars will be required to attend a personal interview and will be chosen for the scholarship based on their performance. 

The number of young artists who have received scholarships in the last three years was 312 in 2017, 315 in 2018, and 384 in 2019.

How to apply

The Ministry of Culture will accept online scholarship applications for 2022-23. Scholarship applications must be filled through the CSMS portal at csms.nic.in. Select ‘Application Status’ from the dashboard, then the scheme and the fiscal year, before clicking ‘search’. To print or download submitted applications, click ‘print application.’ 

After applying, candidates will be assigned an enrollment number, which they will use to check their scholarship status. Candidates must be careful when writing out the application form because they cannot alter it later.

The catalogue of qualified candidates for the interview will be made available on the CCRT’s website, www.ccrtindia.gov.in. All qualifying for the scholarships for artists will get notification of the date, time, and location of the interview or performance and the document requirements on the email address in their applications.

Key takeaways

• The CCRT scholarship payment will begin on the date designated by the CCRT institute or when the candidate is accepted into the program (whichever is later). 
• They must enroll in an authorized course at a recognized institute or under the supervision of an approved guru. 
• The CCRT scholarship amount will be credited to the parent’s or guardian’s CS or RTGS bank account.

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FAQs

Q1. Does CCRT allow direct teacher/individual applications?

Answer: No, to participate in any training/workshop, an application must be submitted through his/her particular department.

Q2. What is the pricing structure for participating in various training programs? 

Answer: The CCRT provides numerous training programs at no cost to government or government-aided schools/teacher educators, and there is no price for participation in the training program. 

Q3. Do you have any preferences for participation? 

Answer: If a teacher meets the qualifications, he or she may be invited to participate in the training program. Female teachers, instructors from underrepresented groups, and teachers from rural and distant locations are given preference.