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Sonoma, CA – February 14, 2025 – The City of Sonoma (City) Cultural and Fine Arts Commission (CFAC) is now accepting entries for the 2025 Student Creative Artist Award Program. This award program is open to high school juniors and seniors who reside within the Sonoma Valley Unified School District boundary and demonstrate exceptional promise in the visual, literary, or performing arts. The deadline to submit an entry is Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 5:00 PM.
Since the program began in 1988, the CFAC has awarded over $60,000 to more than 80 student artists in a variety of artistic disciplines, including visual arts, animation, film production, music, cinematography, photography, dance, design, theater arts, and creative writing.
How to Apply
Students interested in being considered for an award should submit an online application that includes:
- Samples of their best work in one of the eligible disciplines
- A 250–500-word Artist Statement explaining the role art has played in their life and their future artistic aspirations
Students may submit separate entry forms for multiple disciplines but are limited to one (1) entry per discipline. The online entry form and detailed submission guidelines can be found at:
www.sonomacity.org/documents/student-creative-artist-award-entry-form/
Next Steps
Students will be notified and scheduled for interviews by Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Finalists must be available for an in-person interview with CFAC commissioners during their regular meeting at 6:00 PM on either April 15 or April 22, 2025. Interviews will take place in the evening as part of the meeting agenda. Winners will receive up to a $2,000 cash award to further their artistic abilities, education, or career.
Comprehensive judging rubrics are available for review on the online entry form on the City’s website.
For more information and a list of past Student Creative Artist Award recipients, visit: www.sonomacity.org/student-creative-artist-award/
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Media Contact:
Sarah Tracy, Public Information Officer & Staff Liaison to the Cultural & Fine Arts Commission, City of Sonoma
(707) 338-3759 | stracy@sonomacity.org