Expression Matters

“Before a child talks, they sing.  Before they write, they draw.  As soon as they stand, they dance.  Art is fundamental to human expression.”  —  Phylicia Rashad 

Welcome to the Artis The Artist Foundation

Artis-the-Artist Celebrating 14 Years (1080 x 675 px)

The Artis the Artist Foundation is celebrating 14 years of empowering college bound artists to continue their passion for the arts through higher education, elevated techniques, and personal development.

Our goal for 2026 is to award five $5,000 scholarships to deserving students. Help our music nonprofit continue to serve more communities today!

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Upcoming events & Announcements

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Upcoming Scholarship Opportunities

Learn more about the dates and details for the next round of scholarships we will be awarding to high school students studying The Arts.
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Get Involved

Interested in working with our community programs, volunteering at our events, or being a part of our scholarship award process?
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Success Stories

Hover over each ATA scholarship recipient’s photo to read their story! 

Law Peachy-Williams

Performing Artist

Law Peachy-Williams

I found my voice, and my place in the world through the arts, and that’s something truly beautiful. I’ve been able to meet so many unique and talented individuals through the arts, and travel to places like New York, and Chicago, all because I like to act and dance. I am an artist who doesn’t believe in boxes, so I plan on acting, dancing, and going into television/film. I’ve been lucky enough to train in many art forms, and I intend on using every last bit of that training. My biggest dream is to fully direct a film that showcases all of my passions, and stars the people I love.

Brenna Finley

Visual Artist

Brenna Finley

I’ve always been curious. My favorite way to spend time has always been creating stories, and so much of that creating is learning. Each art piece I create tells a story. This desire to create and learn will always be a part of me; it’s something I’ve always done. I’d love to share it, too - make a career out of it. I can’t stop trying to tell these stories, and I know that a creative education would do so much for my long-term goals.

Vivianna Santiago

Performing Artist

Vivianna Santiago

I have always been an artistic, expressive, and active person, and when I found dance at 10 years old it felt like the perfect fit for me. My goal for college is to pursue every opportunity I can to find new avenues of creation and to refine the ones I have studied. I want to perform and produce art as much as possible and make the connections and skills needed to succeed in the professional world. My dream is to connect my passions of theatre and dance to show, create, and perform art that both represents myself and connects with people.

Brooke Buck

Performing Artist

Brooke Buck

Dance has been a part of my life since I was three years old. It’s more than just movement—it’s how I express myself, tell stories, and inspire others. Dance was my first language, and through it, I’ve learned confidence, creativity, and the power of connection. I want to continue using dance—and eventually my voice in media—to uplift others and bring meaningful messages to life. Dance has taught me to step outside of my comfort zone, to lead, and to speak up. As a four-time national dance champion, dance captain, and teacher at Momentum Dance Studio, I’ve developed skills in leadership, communication, and collaboration—skills I plan to bring into the world of media and storytelling.

Caleb Latimer

Performing Artist

Caleb Latimer

"From as far back as I can remember, I’ve been hooked on stories. Whether on a screen or a stage, there’s something magical about seeing characters come to life. Acting isn’t just a hobby for me; it’s like breathing. As long as there are stories to be told and characters to be brought to life, I will be right there, front and center, ready to take on the world, one performance at a time.”

Alexandra Rittenhouse

Performing & Visual Artist

Alexandra Rittenhouse

"My artistic endeavors have always been at the forefront of my life... It takes so much discipline and strength, but all that hard work creates a beautiful performance... Because of all the art in my life, I feel like I can understand problem-solving in a more flexible way. Being surrounded by artistic people is such a blessing. I am very grateful for everything I’ve learned from my artistic experiences, and I cannot wait for what artistic experiences the future holds for me!”

Nathaly Aranda

Visual & Performing Artist

Nathaly Aranda

"I can thank art for impacting me and showing the right and wrong in life, teaching me how to speak up for what is right, and helping me be emotionally, physically, and mentally strong towards anything that blocks my path to being truly successful in life and helping me reach my goals. I aspire and hope to be able to teach the new generation one day to have the same love and respect for art, as it can and will open up bigger opportunities for them as it has for me.”

Daniel Reddic

Visual Artist

Daniel Reddic

“I am a mixed media artist, and I specialize in figurative acrylic painting that captures deep emotions inherent in the human experience... I’ve become obsessed with learning about artists and the various ways the world can be interpreted. This has helped me develop an appreciation for form composition and the impactful moments in life that make the world so beautiful. I want to continue painting and hope to one day create work that has a lasting impact on people and the culture.”

Makiah Hollis

Musical Artist

Makiah Hollis

"Music has been in my family for many generations. My great-grandmother was a musician and music teacher. She is my inspiration because we share a love for music and because she has taught me how to balance school, my love for music, community service, and a career.... My years of participating in the school choir, voice training, and learning music theory motivated me to pursue a career in helping other students find their voice."

Myles Sturns Thomas

Performing Artist

Myles Sturns Thomas

Myles is already on the move! In addition to an ATA scholarship, he was also awarded a full ride to the Interlochen Center for the Arts, a 6-week program for performing artists. He is playing Coalhouse Walker, Jr. in the musical production “Ragtime.”. He says, "After I graduate from high school, I will remain just as devoted to the arts as I am now. I am continuing to strengthen the training I received in high school to become the well-rounded performer I need to be to perform on national tours and on Broadway in the future.” Myles will be attending Oklahoma University in the fall. Listen to Myles on the Artis the Artist Foundation’s Facebook page.

Maria Shorunke

Performing Artist

Maria Shorunke

Maria is a powerful singer and dancer. She will be attending Texas Christian University in the fall. "Finding theatre put things in perspective for me and made me figure out my passion and purpose early on in my life. ...I always felt that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Musical theatre has helped me in my never-ending journey to becoming and staying my truest self. It's been my outlet of creativity and expression and has gotten me through some of the hardest times I've been faced with in my life. " Listen to Maria's artistry on the Artis the Artist Foundation’s Facebook page.

Kayla Barnes

Visual Artist

Kayla Barnes

After receiving an ATA scholarship in 2022 and starting out in community college, Barnes, a visual artist, transferred to Sam Houston State University to major in animation. Making this transition in the heart of the pandemic was challenging, but she has been able to adapt, grow and thrive in her artistry in the midst of it all. Barnes says, “Alas, improvements are not something that happens overnight, and I am slowly learning to accept that.” Artist Kayla graduated from Sam Houston University on August 5, 2023, with a bachelor’s degree in Art and a minor in Art History.

Isabella Rios

Visual Artist

Isabella Rios

Isabella will be returning to the University of Texas at Arlington in the fall to start her sophomore year. She explains, "My first full year in college has been much better than I would have ever anticipated and I owe a lot of it to the Artis the Artist Foundation. Without the financial stress, I had the time to truly enjoy this first semester, and things will only get better ..." Over the summer, Isabella is planning to study abroad in Spain and strengthen her Spanish speaking abilities.

Carlandre Bussey, Jr. (C.J.)

Visual Artist and Designer

Carlandre Bussey, Jr. (C.J.)

Artist C.J. is a member of the Young Men’s Leadership Academy and will be attending Southern University A&M College. According to C.J., "Art has taught me that life experiences occur for a reason and it’s up to you to either make the most of it or say, “I can’t do it.” Either way, someone will be happy that they did something and someone else in the future will be wondering, ‘Why didn’t I?’"

Marleena Garris

Theatre Artist

Marleena Garris

Garris, a performing artist, was the very first ATA foundation recipient in the theatre arts. After receiving a scholarship in 2018, she went on to pursue theatre at the university level and was a featured artist in several university stage productions. Marleneena has remained active in theatre since her graduation from Lindenwood University. In 2023, she started a venture with the Commonwealth Shakespeare Apprentice Company in the Boston area. She was also the recipient of the Spark Scholarship for BIPOC actors. Most recently, Marleena has been playing Casca in a punk rock retelling of Julius Caesar.

Chloe Williams

Performing Artist

Chloe Williams

Williams, a performing artist, received an ATA scholarship in 2021. As a result of working in drama and theatre, she grows more confident every time she steps on stage, is a better leader, and has developed a greater sense of empathy for others. She says, “Without discovering theatre, I wouldn’t be the outspoken person that I am today.” Williams attends Texas State University.

Matthew Morgan

Musical Artist

Matthew Morgan

Morgan received an ATA scholarship in 2022. He initially thought he would not be good enough to do anything, only to surpass his expectations and achieve high rankings in the state for his bass playing. Morgan continues to set and achieve his goals in Double Bass Performance at the Colburn Conservatory of Music and desires to further his studies on a graduate level in Music Composition. As he continues to strive for excellence in the musical arts, Morgan says, “Being in an environment where music is always present pushed me to work harder because I want to be the best. I don’t want to be mediocre.”

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