Scholarships & Grants
We provide grants for local musicians, artists and more.
One of Friends with Benefits’ missions is to support the Denton community, which includes the art’s communities. In 2017, FWB introduced Educational Music Scholarships and Band Dolla$ to help support Texas musicians. In 2020, FWB decided to add visual arts and performance art scholarships. Each category has an educational scholarship and community working artist scholarship. In 2021, the Jean Arendt Memorial scholarship was initiated in memory of Co-founder Mindy Arendt’s mother. Please see below for each scholarship type and application. Please note, once you have been awarded a scholarship or grant, you are no longer eligible to reapply.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2024 SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANT CYCLE ARE NOW OPEN! DEADLINE MAY 15, 2024
Music Scholarships & Grants
$500 ANDY KNAPIK MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP
Educational scholarship to go towards furthering music education as a major or minor at an accredited institution or private lessons. Each year we will award one $500 scholarship to the top scoring applicant.
This scholarship is named in honor of Andy Knapik, co-founder of DMAC, festival worker, UNT employee, husband, father, and beloved friend. Andy had a kind soul and a passion for making Denton a better place and supporting the local music scene. His hugs and smile lite up every room he walked in to. He is remembered every day in so many ways, we are honored to be able to continue his legacy of giving back to the Denton music community.
$500 JOE CRIPPS MUSIC GRANT
Grant for any band or musician in the North Texas area for financial help to further their musical careers. This grant can be used for anything the band/musician needs such as recording, tour funds, video production, equipment replacement, graphics, etc. Each year we will award one $500 grant to the top scoring applicant.
This music grant is named after internationally known drummer from Bravo Combo, Joe Cripps. Joe influenced and impacted so many musician in Denton and beyond, we are proud to have the opportunity to honor is talents and name through this music community grant.
Performance Art Scholarships & Grants
$500 IVORY DIOR PERFORMANCE ART SCHOLARSHIP
Educational scholarship to go towards furthering performance arts education as a major or minor at an accredited institution or private lessons. Each year we will award one $500 scholarship to the top scoring applicant.
Ivory Dior was an unapologetic, eager, fantasmic queen who used her charm to win the hearts of many. Known for her time as part of the Crossroads Cast and Whiskey Tongue Burlesque, Ivory Dior was a staple of the local queer community. We will always remember that “it’s not sweat, it’s highlight” and to hold our heads up high. We are honored to offer this scholarship in her name.
$500 JETTE BLAQUE PERFORMANCE ART GRANT
For any North Texas performance artist (poetry, spoken word, dance, Drag, burlesque, etc) needing financial assistance to further their career. Groups and organizations are welcome to apply. Each year we will award one $500 grant to the top scoring applicant.
Jette Blaque was a DFW-based dancer and performer who captured the hearts and eyes of many. With a heart of gold, filled with compassion, infectious energy, and a genuine passion for helping others, there aren’t many from the performer community who can’t say they weren’t touched by Jette. We are honored to offer this grant in her namesake, so that our performance artists can carry onward in their own passions.
Visual Arts Scholarships & Grants
$500 NEVADA HILL VISUAL ARTS SCHOLARSHIP
Educational scholarship to go towards furthering visual arts education as a major or minor at an accredited institution or private lessons. Each year we will award one $500 scholarship to the top scoring applicant.
Nevada Houston Hill was an internationally known artist and musician who called Denton his home. In 2005, Nevada graduated with a printmaking degree from the University of North Texas in Denton, where he launched his fine art and musical career. His fine art blossomed with resident artist status at Art Prostitute and with hundreds of posters, comics, album covers and more for local and international clients, and his music grew right along with it. Whether with the bands Zanzibar Snails, Drug Mountain, Bludded Head and others, or in improvisational one-off events, Nevada reached for the same left-of-center but straight-from-the-heart expression that guided his hand with pencil, paint and ink. We are honored to continue his legacy by honoring him and his remarkable work through our art scholarship.
$500 DOROTHY BERTINE VISUAL ARTS GRANT
Grant for any North Texas visual artist or group needing financial assistance for a project, art piece, or to further their visual arts career. Each year we will award one $500 grant to the top scoring applicant.
Many in Denton know Dorothy through her beautiful watercolor paintings depicting the Victorian era homes on Oak Street. In her retirement, Dorothy received a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from Texas Women's University after presenting her thesis entitled "Design Elements Used in High Victorian Houses". Her paintings are in private collections across the United States and in several other countries. We honor her work by offering this grant to our community in her name.
Other Scholarships
Jean Arendt Scholarship
This scholarship is set up in memory of beloved wife, mother, teacher, and friend to all - Jean Arendt, mother to a co-founder of Friends with Benefits.
Jean graduated from University of North Texas with a Degree in Education. She touched many lives as both an English, Spanish, French and Reading teacher at Crooked Oak High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Lindsay I.S.D. in Lindsay, Texas, St. Mary's Catholic School in Gainesville, Texas, and Naaman Forest High School in Garland, Texas. Jean ended her illustrious career at Era I.S.D. in Era, Texas. Jean instilled in her children and students to do what they can to help others, including getting involved in local charity volunteer efforts. Friends with Benefits is honored to be able to continue her message of love and community support with a focus on education through the Jean Arendt Scholarship. This scholarship will be available for any North Texas high school female student to apply for who has focused on giving back to their community while maintaining eligible grades.
Previous Grant Winners:
2022 - Edith Taylor, Era High School
Past Award Winners
2017
Kristian Enbysk
Swandiver
The Infamists
2018
Ashley Lopez
Steven Sellers
For Now (Isabel Crespo)
Jessie Frey
2019
Christian Meza
Simeon Davis
Jordan Coffing - RHU Music
Edgar Derby
2020
Joe Cripps - Diana Ramírez-Rosales
Jette Blaque PA - Tulla Moore
Dorthy Bertine VA - Sarah Lewis
Andy Knapik - Zoltan Csikos
Ivory Dior - Irving Maldonado
2021
Joe Cripps Music Grant - Wee-Beasties
Jette Blaque Performance Arts Grant - a tie!!!! Natalia Deleon & Drake Von Trapp
Ivory Dior Performance Art Scholarship - Barbara McAlister
Nevada Hill Visual Arts Scholarship - Casee Harl
Dorothy Bertine Visual Arts Grant - Octavian Small
2022
Andy Knapik Music Scholarship: Aurora Standley
Nevada Hill Visual Arts Scholarship: Persephone Huffman
Joe Cripps Music Grant: Jacob Johnson
Jette Blaque Performance Arts Grant (WE HAVE A TIE): Irene Brown: Havoc the Clown, and Onyx Fur
Dorthy Bertine Visual Arts Scholarship: Ray Soller
2023
Andy Knapik Music Scholarship: Alexa Frederick
Nevada Hill Visual Arts Scholarship: Camila Mai Tran
Joe Cripps Music Grant: Blu Sarabi
Jette Blaque Performance Arts Grant: Paige Monroe
Jean Arendt 2023 winner: Courtney Wittrock, graduate from Timber Creek High School