Charlie Hounchell Arts Stars Scholarship

The Charlie Hounchell Arts Stars Scholarship is available to high school juniors or seniors attending schools in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, or Pinellas counties, Florida. Students who exhibit excellence in dance, theatre, instrumental music, vocal music, visual arts, or literary arts are eligible to apply. The Tampa Bay Business Coalition for the Arts (TBBCA) annually awards six or more scholarships to Tampa Bay area high school students with exceptional talents in instrumental and vocal music, theater, dance, visual and literary arts. The program was founded in 2008 by the late Charlie Hounchell, a former president of Tampa Bay BCA, and was later renamed in his honor. TBBCA has awarded over $305,000 in financial tuition assistance to more than 108 Tampa Bay area students, the majority from public high schools. Each scholarship award is a one-time award of $2,500 and is intended solely for educational tuition. Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the recipient's accredited college, university, conservatory, or professional arts training program. Recipients must provide proof of enrollment and the institution's billing or payment information before funds can be disbursed. If a recipient has not finalized their educational plans at the time of the award, TBBCA will hold the scholarship funds for up to twelve (12) months following the award date. Failure to provide enrollment verification within this period may result in forfeiture of the scholarship unless an extension is approved by TBBCA. The 2027 Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarship application is currently being reviewed and updated. Please check back soon for application details, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and scholarship guidelines for the next cycle.