Arts for Life!

Art enriches our lives, our communities and our culture. An education in the arts helps students develop essential skills, such as critical thinking, self-discipline and confidence, which are vital to success in school and beyond.

Florida’s former First Lady Columba Bush is a passionate advocate for the arts and arts education. In 1999, she established Arts for Life! to recognize the creativity and artistic talents of high school students throughout Florida. Annually, Arts for Life! awards $1,000 scholarships to 25 Florida high school seniors who demonstrate academic and artistic excellence in the visual arts, music, dance, drama or creative writing. Students are judged on a sample of work and an essay explaining how the arts have had a positive influence on their lives. The program has awarded scholarships to more than 300 gifted high school seniors in visual and performing arts.

Each year, the 25 award winning students are honored at a luncheon and awards ceremony hosted by Jeb and Columba Bush.  In 2011, the Arts for Life! scholarship winners were honored at the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.