Education & Scholarships
Education & Scholarships
Helping Artists Grow
The purpose of the Friends of Western Art is to expand appreciation and knowledge of Western Art through education. It is a natural fit for the Friends of Western Art to grant funding for youth art programs. FWA Board grants yearly support for scholarships and school art supply money connected with western art projects.
Learn more about our educational efforts
We’ve been asked, “What are the subjects that you consider to be Western or Southwestern art?” The following is a list of subject matter along with resources that may be helpful:
Architecture
Missions, ranch houses, mountain cabins, old buildings, farms, barns, adobe buildings, saloons, ghost towns, old Tucson Tile roofs, old gates and doors, rail fences, old walls, patios, corrals, bridges, old mine frames, windmills, arches, mail boxes, wells
Gardens
Fountains, arbors, gates, pathways, walkways, garden walls, fences, umbrellas, wagons, carts Flowers, flower pots, bougainvillea, holly hocks, cacti.
Landscape
Desert flowers, cactus flowers, saguaro, ocotillo, agave, yucca, cottonwoods, aspen, pines, palo verde, mesquite forests, chaparral Mountains, streams, rock formations, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, Colorado River, Monument Valley, desert roads, sunsets, clouds, trains, railroad tracks, Sedona’s red cliffs.
Birds
Roadrunner, quail, wild turkey, buzzard, hawk, woodpecker, dove, cactus wren.
Animals
Buffalo, gila monster, mule, burro, antelope, cougar, deer, elk, jack rabbit, coyote, bob cat, badger, rattlesnake, cow, horse, desert fox, javelina, rooster.
Figures
Cowboy, cowgirl, Indian, Indian dancer, children in western dress.
Events
Rodeo, rodeo parade, round-up, branding, calf roping, mercado, fiesta, Indian event.
Conveyances
Wagons, stage coaches, horse-drawn carriages.
Resources/Inspirations
Sonora Desert Museum, Sabino Canyon, Tumacacori Mission, San Xavier Mission, Tucson barrio, Sonoita, Patagonia, Picacho Peak, Tohono Chul Park, Tombstone, Catalina State Park, Railroad Museum, Arizona Historical Museum, old photos, Indian ruins, Mt. Lemmon.
Over the past 22 years, Friends of Western Art has raised and donated $353,000 for teacher/school art supply grants. During the 2025-2026 school year, FWA gave $22,200 toward our Teacher Art Supply Grant Program.
Applying is Simple! Come up with a Western art project. Complete the application and send to grants@friendsofwesternart.org or online via the form below.
Approved grant applicants will receive information on how to purchase supplies at Blick Art Materials. Art supplies must be purchased online and will be shipped to your school.
Grant Reporting: Share with us! Email 3 to 5 photos showing how the materials were used.
Send Applications to: grants@friendsofwesternart.org
- Apply between August 1 and March 31. All approved Art Supply Grant supplies must be ordered, received, and the project completed by May 31st.
- Share this application with other art teachers and classroom teachers - it is non-competitive.
- Successful applicants are notified within 1 to 2 weeks after applying.
CLICK HERE to fill out the Teacher Art Supply Grant Application
Scholarships
Educational Assistance For Southern Arizonans (South of Gila River)
- Mentoring and guidance by local artists and teachers to assist budding artists.
- Individual scholarships for academic institutions, art workshops, etc.
- Financial assistance for individuals or groups.
*Please be advised there are three types of scholarships awarded by the FWA. Those for college or university students, those for an individual’s attendance at specific workshops/events and those for organizations.
CLICK HERE to fill out the Scholarship Application Form
Harley Brown Workshop
Honoring Tucson artist Harley Brown, the Friends of Western Art will present scholarships in his name to students from Southern Arizona to attend the workshops or classes.
CLICK HERE to fill out the Event or Workshop Application Form
CLICK HERE to fill out the Financial Assistance for a Business or Organization Application Form
The Aline Goodman Young Artists Awards Program at the Tucson Festival of Books
For 13 years, FWA has co-sponsored the Tucson Festival of Books Young Authors and Young Artists competition. We recognize 24 finalists - students from kindergarten through high school - in a special presentation at the Book Festival, and give them each a $100 gift card for art supplies.
Education & Scholarships
Helping Artists Grow
The purpose of the Friends of Western Art is to expand appreciation and knowledge of Western Art through education. It is a natural fit for the Friends of Western Art to grant funding for youth art programs. FWA Board grants yearly support for scholarships and school art supply money connected with western art projects.
Learn more about our educational efforts
We’ve been asked, “What are the subjects that you consider to be Western or Southwestern art?” The following is a list of subject matter along with resources that may be helpful:
Architecture
Missions, ranch houses, mountain cabins, old buildings, farms, barns, adobe buildings, saloons, ghost towns, old Tucson Tile roofs, old gates and doors, rail fences, old walls, patios, corrals, bridges, old mine frames, windmills, arches, mail boxes, wells
Gardens
Fountains, arbors, gates, pathways, walkways, garden walls, fences, umbrellas, wagons, carts Flowers, flower pots, bougainvillea, holly hocks, cacti.
Landscape
Desert flowers, cactus flowers, saguaro, ocotillo, agave, yucca, cottonwoods, aspen, pines, palo verde, mesquite forests, chaparral Mountains, streams, rock formations, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, Colorado River, Monument Valley, desert roads, sunsets, clouds, trains, railroad tracks, Sedona’s red cliffs.
Birds
Roadrunner, quail, wild turkey, buzzard, hawk, woodpecker, dove, cactus wren.
Animals
Buffalo, gila monster, mule, burro, antelope, cougar, deer, elk, jack rabbit, coyote, bob cat, badger, rattlesnake, cow, horse, desert fox, javelina, rooster.
Figures
Cowboy, cowgirl, Indian, Indian dancer, children in western dress.
Events
Rodeo, rodeo parade, round-up, branding, calf roping, mercado, fiesta, Indian event.
Conveyances
Wagons, stage coaches, horse-drawn carriages.
Resources/Inspirations
Sonora Desert Museum, Sabino Canyon, Tumacacori Mission, San Xavier Mission, Tucson barrio, Sonoita, Patagonia, Picacho Peak, Tohono Chul Park, Tombstone, Catalina State Park, Railroad Museum, Arizona Historical Museum, old photos, Indian ruins, Mt. Lemmon.
Over the past 22 years, Friends of Western Art has raised and donated $353,000 for teacher/school art supply grants. During the 2025-2026 school year, FWA gave $22,200 toward our Teacher Art Supply Grant Program.
Applying is Simple! Come up with a Western art project. Complete the application and send to grants@friendsofwesternart.org or online via the form below.
Approved grant applicants will receive information on how to purchase supplies at Blick Art Materials. Art supplies must be purchased online and will be shipped to your school.
Grant Reporting: Share with us! Email 3 to 5 photos showing how the materials were used.
Send Applications to: grants@friendsofwesternart.org
- Apply between August 1 and March 31. All approved Art Supply Grant supplies must be ordered, received, and the project completed by May 31st.
- Share this application with other art teachers and classroom teachers - it is non-competitive.
- Successful applicants are notified within 1 to 2 weeks after applying.
CLICK HERE to fill out the Teacher Art Supply Grant Application
Scholarships
Educational Assistance For Southern Arizonans (South of Gila River)
- Mentoring and guidance by local artists and teachers to assist budding artists.
- Individual scholarships for academic institutions, art workshops, etc.
- Financial assistance for individuals or groups.
*Please be advised there are three types of scholarships awarded by the FWA. Those for college or university students, those for an individual’s attendance at specific workshops/events and those for organizations.
CLICK HERE to fill out the Scholarship Application Form
Harley Brown Workshop
Honoring Tucson artist Harley Brown, the Friends of Western Art will present scholarships in his name to students from Southern Arizona to attend the workshops or classes.
CLICK HERE to fill out the Event or Workshop Application Form
CLICK HERE to fill out the Financial Assistance for a Business or Organization Application Form
The Aline Goodman Young Artists Awards Program at the Tucson Festival of Books
For 13 years, FWA has co-sponsored the Tucson Festival of Books Young Authors and Young Artists competition. We recognize 24 finalists - students from kindergarten through high school - in a special presentation at the Book Festival, and give them each a $100 gift card for art supplies.
Promoting the Awareness of Art of the American West
Do you have an affinity and love for western art?
Please consider partnering with the Friends of Western Art by donating to our organization. Help us bring awareness to this style of creativity and continue to encourage others through our grants and scholarships.