Fellowships & Scholarships
Fellowship Assistant Award
Mostly Modern Festival offers Fellowship Assistant Awards to instrumentalists, conductors, and composers. This award covers tuition, room, and board. A facility fee of $595 is required. The Fellowship Assistant Award entails participating in the festival for all three weeks, assisting with various tasks 8-12 hours a week, and performing in one family-centric concert in addition to the rest of the festival concert series.
Scholarship Assistant Award
Mostly Modern Festival offers numerous Scholarship Assistant Awards. These are non-paid, work-study positions that offset tuition costs. Awards range from $500 up to $3,500. Scholarship Assistant Awards are only available to participants who attend all three weeks. We offer a variety of positions in the music office, operations, merchandise table, box office, and promotion. Applicants must check the appropriate fields with relative experience and qualifications within the Acceptd application. You will be required to work 10-16 hours per week if offered a scholarship assistant award.
Examples of Scholarship Assistant Award Positions:
- Music Office/Operations
- Library/Production/Stage
- Merchandise Sales
- Box Office/Front of House
- Social Media/Promotion
Performance Scholarship (Composers & Conductors)
Composers and conductors who are also high caliber instrumentalists may apply for a Performance Scholarship. This is an instrumental work-study position, where your scholarship duties are fulfilled by performing in the Mostly Modern Orchestra. These applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Resident Advisor
Festival applicants may apply for the Resident Advisor position when completing their application on Acceptd. The Resident Advisor (RA) must be over 21 years old and demonstrate previous experience as an RA. Letters of reference may be requested, and a Zoom or in-person interview will occur. The RA position will receive a Fellowship Assistant Award.
Important Notes
Interest in fellowships and scholarships must be selected during the application process when applying via Acceptd.
Performers interested in taking composition lessons will need to apply as composers and be accepted into the composition program.
Please note that we cannot preemptively offer a scholarship or assistantship or let you know whether you will receive financial aid before you apply. You must apply via Acceptd and pay the application fee in order for us to evaluate your application.
Other Ways to Fund Your MMF Experience
Attending Mostly Modern Festival is an investment in your musical future, and we understand that tuition, travel, and other expenses can add up. Beyond MMF’s fellowships and scholarships, several options can help make your participation more affordable.
We encourage applicants to explore the following opportunities:
University and Conservatory Funding
Many colleges, universities, and conservatories offer funding for summer study, professional development, and travel. Ask your department chair, private teacher, dean, or student funding office about available grants or discretionary funds. Some opportunities may not be widely advertised, so it’s always worth asking!
Local Arts Grants and Sponsorships
Local arts councils, community foundations, cultural organizations, and civic groups may offer grants or sponsorships for emerging musicians. International applicants should also investigate funding through arts organizations, cultural ministries, and educational foundations in their home countries.
Crowdfunding and Individual Support
Friends, family, teachers, alumni, and community supporters may be willing to contribute toward your MMF experience. Consider creating a fundraising campaign or organizing a benefit recital to help cover your expenses.
Online Fundraising and Scholarship Resources
The following websites may be helpful as you explore additional funding opportunities:
- GoFundMe – Create a personal fundraising campaign to help cover tuition, travel, and other expenses.
- Bold.org – Explore scholarship opportunities for students.
- Scholarship America – Find educational scholarships and other funding resources.
- Fastweb – Search for scholarships based on your background, interests, and eligibility.
Scholarship eligibility varies, and not all awards can be used toward summer festival expenses. Be sure to review each program’s requirements.
Help with Application Fees
If application fees present a financial challenge, consider asking your school, department, private teacher, or local arts organization whether small grants or discretionary funds are available to cover application expenses.
Please note that MMF requires a completed application and payment of the application fee before applicants can be considered for MMF fellowships and scholarships.
Requesting Financial Support
Not sure how to ask your school, an arts organization, or a potential sponsor for financial assistance? We’ve prepared a sample funding request letter to help you get started.
The template includes space to explain your musical goals, outline your anticipated expenses, and describe how attending Mostly Modern Festival would benefit your artistic development.
Make a Copy of the MMF Funding Request Letter
We recommend preparing a simple budget showing your anticipated tuition, housing, and travel expenses; any scholarships or financial assistance you’ve already received; and the remaining amount you need to raise. You can include this budget with your funding request.
The letter opens in Google Docs, where you can create your own copy, personalize it, and share it with potential supporters. Be sure to replace all bracketed information before sending.
Start Early!
Funding opportunities often have their own application deadlines, so we encourage you to begin exploring these options as early as possible. Even modest contributions from several sources can make a meaningful difference.
With a little planning, creativity, and persistence, attending Mostly Modern Festival may be more financially accessible than you think!
