2026 Iowa Scholarship for the Arts is a statewide program supporting outstanding Iowa high school seniors who excel in the arts and plan to pursue arts-related studies at an Iowa college or university. The scholarship awards $5,000 to selected students to support tuition during the 2026–2027 academic year.

Eligibility highlights:

• Current Iowa residents graduating from an Iowa high school during the 2025–2026 school year
• Demonstrated artistic ability in music, dance, visual arts, theatre, folklife, or literature
• Acceptance as a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited Iowa college or university with a major in one of those fields

Key Dates:

• Application Deadline: April 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM
• Finalist Interviews: April 23, 2026
• Award Notifications: Within 30 days of the interview date

Applicants must submit materials through the Iowa Arts Council’s SlideRoom portal, including an essay, a letter of recommendation, and 3–5 artistic work samples that demonstrate their skills in their intended area of study.

We encourage you to share this opportunity with eligible students in your schools, classrooms, and communities. First-time applicants are especially encouraged to apply. Contact Brooke Rogers with questions. 

The Iowa Department of Education has begun to create a file of emerging classroom leaders that consists of a cadre of distinguished teachers and principals. The educators in this “Talent Pool” file may be considered for membership on advisory boards and task forces and could be considered as candidates for recognition and award programs. Your recommendations will identify educators who will be of great value to your community and state because of their expertise.

In order to qualify for this specific Talent Pool, educators must have distinguished themselves above and beyond established, top-quality professionals in our schools. They must have a minimum of five, but not more than 18 years of experience in education. Members of this Talent Pool are typically full-time, building-level personnel whose primary function is to directly instruct students (e.g., classroom teachers, related arts teachers, etc.) or principals who are recognized by peers and supervisors as unique in their leadership and results with students. Of special interest are educators who are outstanding and have not received other state or national recognition.

If you know one or more educators who fit these parameters, please fill out the Talent Pool Recommendation Form. We ask that you keep this recommendation confidential; do not share it with the individual or collaborate with colleagues to complete. Recommendations for this teacher talent pool will be open from now until April 30th. Please contact Molly McConnell with any questions.

Sioux Valley Orff Chapter Workshop with Michael Stinman | March 21, 2026 | Loess Hills Elementary, Sioux City

All-State Festival Individual Events | Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) | March 30, 2026 | University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls

Iowa Jazz Championships | April 7, 2026 | Iowa State University, Ames

First Iowa Orff Chapter Workshop with Jess Dunnick | April 18, 2026 | University of Iowa, Iowa City 

Spectrum Project Show - Dream Explorers | April 19, 2026 | University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls

4th Annual NAfME General Music Virtual Mini Conference | April 25, 2026 

Iowa All-State Jazz Band Performance | Jazz Educators of Iowa (JEI) | | May 14, 2026 | Des Moines Marriott, Downtown

Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA) 2026 IBA Conference | May 14-15, 2026 | Des Moines Marriott, Downtown

First Iowa Orff | Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education Course (Level I) | June 15-26, 2026 | Drake University, Des Moines

Iowa Choral Directors Association (ICDA) Summer Symposium | July 21-24, 2026 | Pella, IA

Reach out to Diana to include your conference or workshop in next month’s Fine Arts Exchange.