Each year, the NRICA awards scholarships in honor people who were among the founders of the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts. By awarding these scholarships, we hope to encourage young people to explore the transformative power of the arts to inspire.

The Jack Lawhead Scholarship for the Arts

It was Jack Lawhead’s dream to establish a high school for the arts.  In his memory, the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts established this annual scholarship in 2016 to assist a student from the Beacon Charter High School for the Arts to pursue a degree in the arts. This year's scholarship was awarded to was awarded to Jamie Brannon of the Beacon High School for the Arts to study Performance at Dean College in Franklin, MA.  

The Ray Nolan Scholarship for the Arts

Ray Nolan has been involved in education much of his life, having been the Science Department Chairman before his retirement from Woonsocket High School. Mr. Nolan has always had a passion for the arts and has been a lifelong artist. This scholarship recognizes his lifelong commitment to inspiring the arts and showcasing the creativity of the youth of northern Rhode Island. In his honor, the NRICA established this annual scholarship to assist a senior from Woonsocket High School to pursue a degree in the arts. This year's scholarship was awarded to Claudia Desrosiers of Woonsocket High School to major in Theatre at Suffolk University in Boston.

The Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts

Scholarship for the Arts

The Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts (NRICA) was formed to enrich community life by means of the arts. We believe in encouraging the study of art among young people to achieve this goal. To do this, the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts has established this scholarship to assist a senior from Cumberland High School to pursue a degree in the arts.  This year's scholarship was awarded to Nathaniel Gomes of Cumberland High School who will pursue a Music major at the University of Rhode Island. 

Arts Exhibit and NRICA Art Contest

Throughout the years, the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts has held art contests for students in local high schools. Last year, the contest was held in collaboration with St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center's Fresco Italiano - A Night of the Arts. This event celebrates the arts and artists in northern Rhode Island.