Coconut Grove Arts Festival Awards $45,000 To 15 Miami-Dade County High School Students

 

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival’s (CGAF), Board of Directors is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of its prestigious student scholarship program, awarding $45,000 in scholarships to 15 outstanding high school seniors from Miami-Dade County. Each student will receive a $3,000 scholarship in recognition of their exceptional artistic talent and dedication.

The private scholarship ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Courtyard Miami Coconut Grove, located at 2649 S. Bayshore Dr., Miami, FL 33133. Only friends and family of the students being honored are invited to attend this inspiring event, where they’ll get to see some of the student’s artwork.

As one of the most celebrated outdoor fine arts festivals in the country, CGAF has long recognized that the future of the arts lies in the creativity and passion of the next generation. “Supporting our vision is at the heart of the festival’s mission. These young artists are truly extraordinary,” said Dave Hill, Chairman of the CGAF Board of Directors. “Recognizing their contributions to our creative community and helping them pursue their dreams through education is one of the most meaningful things we do each year.”

The $45,000 awarded this year is part of CGAF’s broader $75,000 annual scholarship fund, which also supports students currently enrolled in Florida International University’s art programs.

 

Empowering the Next Generation of Artists

Beyond scholarships, CGAF is committed to nurturing young talent year-round through a range of educational and engagement initiatives, including:

• The Emerging Artists Program – A two-year mentorship program designed to help artists build a foundation for their career.
• Visiting Artists Workshops in local schools.
• The Young Collectors Club – Hosted during the annual festival to encourage young attendees to begin collecting art.
• Donations of art supplies to area schools.

Camille Marchese, CGAF’s Executive Director, emphasized the transformative power of art in young lives. “We’re deeply committed to fostering new talent, and our scholarship program is a vital part of that,” said Marchese. “By supporting these promising young artists, we not only help them develop their craft -we help them find a voice, a purpose, and a creative future.”

 

About the Scholarship Program
The CGAF scholarship program is available to graduating seniors from Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Finalists are selected through a rigorous review process. This year’s recipients were chosen by the founding members of the Fund for Design & Art Education, who originally established this scholarship. Marlen Kohn, Marilyn Traeger, and Cathi Rivera assessed students’ art portfolios, artist statements, and teacher recommendations. The CGAF Board is grateful to these retired art educators for their continued dedication to arts education, supporting visual arts students in our community.

 

2025 Scholarship Recipients
This year’s recipients use a variety of mediums to convey their relationship with their culture, religion, family and/or self. The 15 students represent the very best of Miami-Dade’s young creative talent. Most attended school on free or partially paid for lunches but are now headed to college with a little more money in their pockets. This year’s recipients include:

 

 

Photo Credit: Student Art By Anisia Mike

Story Courtesy of Coconut Grove Arts Festival

Date Posted: May 14, 2025