Deadline: 15-Dec-2026

The Valmai Robertson Scholarship supports Southland District residents who wish to develop their artistic skills by attending courses, workshops, schools, or other educational opportunities. With an annual funding pool of $2,500, the scholarship encourages participation across a wide range of artistic disciplines while recognizing commitment, talent, and community benefit.

What Is the Valmai Robertson Scholarship?

The Valmai Robertson Scholarship is an arts scholarship designed to encourage and assist residents of the Southland District in advancing their skills and knowledge in the arts.

The scholarship provides financial assistance for individuals seeking professional development through courses, workshops, training schools, or similar learning opportunities. It aims to nurture artistic talent while promoting cultural enrichment and community participation.

Scholarship Objectives

The scholarship aims to:

• Support the development of artistic skills.
• Encourage lifelong learning in the arts.
• Provide financial assistance for arts education and training.
• Foster artistic excellence and creativity.
• Promote community participation in the arts.
• Invest in the growth of local artists and performers.

Funding Information

The scholarship provides:

• Total annual funding available: $2,500.

Additional funding information:

• The actual amount awarded to each recipient is determined by the Scholarship and Bursaries Subcommittee.
• The number of scholarships awarded may vary each year.
• The Subcommittee may choose not to allocate the full funding if applications do not meet the required standard.

Eligible Arts Disciplines

The scholarship supports a wide range of artistic fields, including but not limited to:

• Speech
• Drama
• Vocal performance
• Creative writing
• Dance
• Music
• Visual arts
• Craft arts
• Other artistic disciplines

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be participating in an arts-related field.
• Be seeking to further develop their skills through courses, workshops, schools, or similar educational opportunities.
• Be a resident or ratepayer within the Southland District Council area.
• If the applicant is dependent, their parent or caregiver must be a resident or ratepayer within the Southland District Council area.
• Applicants or their parent/caregiver must have lived in or been ratepayers within the Southland District Council area for at least two consecutive years.

Scholarship Assessment Criteria

Applications are assessed based on several factors, including:

• Commitment to the chosen art form.
• Potential benefits of the learning opportunity for the applicant.
• Potential benefits to the wider community.
• Overall quality of the application.
• Merit of the applicant’s artistic work.

The Scholarship and Bursaries Subcommittee has discretion over funding decisions.

Interview Process

All applicants are required to:

• Attend an interview.
• Present examples of their artistic work where appropriate.
• Be available on the scheduled interview date, as alternative interview dates will not be offered.

Application Requirements

Applicants must provide:

• A completed scholarship application.
• Two testimonials from individuals familiar with their chosen artistic discipline.
• Bank verification details.
• Examples of artistic work where appropriate.
• Any additional supporting documentation requested by the Scholarship and Bursaries Subcommittee.

Why This Scholarship Matters

The Valmai Robertson Scholarship helps talented artists continue developing their creative abilities by reducing financial barriers to education and professional development.

The scholarship supports:

• Emerging artists.
• Creative education.
• Cultural development.
• Artistic excellence.
• Community engagement through the arts.
• Long-term artistic careers.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Confirm that you meet the residency and eligibility requirements.
2. Select an eligible course, workshop, school, or other arts development opportunity.
3. Prepare examples of your artistic work if applicable.
4. Obtain two testimonials related to your chosen art form.
5. Gather your bank verification details.
6. Complete and submit the scholarship application.
7. Attend the required interview on the scheduled date.
8. Await the Scholarship and Bursaries Subcommittee’s decision.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application mistakes:

• Submitting fewer than two testimonials.
• Failing to meet the residency requirement.
• Missing the interview date.
• Not providing examples of artistic work when requested.
• Submitting incomplete application documents.
• Providing insufficient information about the proposed learning opportunity.

Tips for a Strong Application

To strengthen your application:

• Clearly explain how the scholarship will support your artistic development.
• Demonstrate your commitment to your chosen art form.
• Highlight previous achievements and creative experience.
• Choose referees who know your artistic abilities well.
• Prepare a strong portfolio or work samples where appropriate.
• Explain how your learning will benefit both you and your local community.
• Be well prepared for the interview.

Key Definitions

Arts Scholarship

Financial assistance awarded to individuals pursuing education, training, or professional development in artistic disciplines.

Testimonial

A written reference from someone who can assess an applicant’s skills, achievements, and commitment within their chosen artistic field.

Artistic Portfolio

A collection of creative work demonstrating an applicant’s skills, experience, and artistic achievements.

Community Benefit

The positive impact that an individual’s artistic development may have on the wider community through cultural participation, education, performances, exhibitions, or creative projects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Valmai Robertson Scholarship?

The scholarship provides financial support for Southland District residents who wish to further develop their artistic skills through courses, workshops, schools, or similar educational opportunities.

How much funding is available?

A total of $2,500 is available for distribution each year. Individual award amounts are determined by the Scholarship and Bursaries Subcommittee.

Which artistic disciplines are eligible?

Eligible fields include speech, drama, vocal performance, writing, dance, music, visual arts, craft arts, and other artistic disciplines.

Who can apply?

Applicants must be Southland District residents or ratepayers, or dependents whose parent or caregiver meets the residency requirement, and must have lived in or been ratepayers within the district for at least two consecutive years.

What documents are required?

Applicants must submit two testimonials related to their chosen art form, bank verification details, examples of their work where appropriate, and any other required application documents.

Is an interview required?

Yes. All applicants must attend an interview and may be asked to present examples of their artistic work. No alternative interview dates will be available.

How are scholarship recipients selected?

The Scholarship and Bursaries Subcommittee evaluates applicants based on their commitment to the arts, the potential benefits of the proposed learning opportunity, the quality of the application, artistic merit, and potential benefits to the community.

Conclusion

The Valmai Robertson Scholarship provides valuable financial support for Southland District residents seeking to enhance their artistic skills and creative careers. By funding participation in courses, workshops, schools, and other learning opportunities, the scholarship encourages artistic excellence, lifelong learning, and community engagement. Applicants who demonstrate dedication to their chosen art form, strong potential for personal growth, and a positive contribution to the community are well positioned for consideration.

For more information, visit Southland District Council.