Orange Coast College launched its OCC Artist Promise initiative Thursday, March 12, by officially signing scholarship checks that will go out to 226 aspiring arts students entering the College’s Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) programs.
This is the first year of Artist Promise, designed for new students who declare a major in one of our arts departments: art, dance, digital media art and design, film and television, music, photography, and theater arts. Artist Promise is a commitment to ensuring every student has the resources and support they need to grow, create and succeed.
This initiative is made possible through the OCC Endowment for the Arts, established through a transformational $9.44 million gift from an anonymous alumni donor in late 2024.
OCC Artist Promise Scholarships are available for new students entering Visual and Performing Arts programs such as art, dance, music, digital media art and design, photography, theater arts, film and television, and immersive media. To qualify, recipients must meet with a counselor to declare their major in one of the VPA programs, and complete at least one class in their major during their first semester.
"This is an incredible opportunity for students who may have thought college — and a career in the arts — was out of reach," says Dean of Visual and Performing Arts Larissa Nazarenko. "This scholarship is designed to ease the financial burden and send a clear message: your creativity matters, and we believe in your future."
Additional achievement scholarships will be awarded to OCC students at Honors Night.