2026 SCHOLARSHIPS
The Huntington Arts Council is proud to present FOUR scholarships: one visual arts scholarship, two dance scholarships and a NEW theater scholarship for 2026. Please review the details below.
Christine Mohanty Memorial Scholarship 2026
Christine Mohanty was a gifted and passionate educator, actress, and advocate for the performing arts whose influence touched the lives of countless students and audiences.
This scholarship stands as a testament to Christine’s impact, supporting future students who share her passion for the arts and commitment to making a difference in the world through performance and education.
The Christine Mohanty Memorial Scholarship offers a student in 4th through 8th grade a $3,000 scholarship to a 4-week Performance: Musical Theater Program at Usdan, Summer Camp for the Arts for Session B (July 27- August 21 2026). The scholarship funds will be paid directly to Usdan.
Scholarship Details:
- Eligibility: Open to 4th–8th grade students in Nassau and Suffolk Counties
- Submission Deadline: Wednesday, March 18, 2025, at 11:59 PM
- Application Forms: The Christine Mohanty Memorial Scholarship 2026
Christine’s unwavering dedication to fostering creativity and self-expression in others made her a beloved figure in both the classroom and the theater. Her approach to teaching was rooted in compassion, patience, and a deep belief in the potential of every student. Christine was an accomplished actress whose performances captivated audiences with their depth and authenticity.
The program offers an opportunity to study musical theater through the entire cycle of a production, including audition, rehearsal, blocking, staging, choreography, ensemble work, and performance. Over the course of four weeks, students audition for roles and learn how casting decisions are made, discover the joys of collaboration, and develop responsibility as they work together to put on their show.
The Joan Aboff Memorial Art Scholarship 2026
The Huntington Arts Council honors the memory of Joan Aboff, a passionate advocate for the arts, through the Joan Aboff Memorial Art Scholarship. This prestigious award supports aspiring young artists in Suffolk County, enabling them to advance their creative skills and artistic vision.
Expanded this year to Nassau and Suffolk Counties students in grades 10 through 12, the scholarship funds attendance at Usdan: Summer Camp for the Arts, a specialized art program focused on portfolio development. This opportunity helps young artists refine their skills, expand techniques, and build professional portfolios crucial for pursuing higher education in the arts.
Scholarship Details:
- Eligibility: Open to 10th–12th grade students in Nassau and Suffolk Counties
- Submission Deadline: Wednesday, March 25, 2025, at 11:59 PM
- Application Forms: The Joan Aboff’s Memorial Art Scholarship 2026
2025
Joan Aboff Art Scholarship Recipient
Good Times by Genesis Jackman
Rea Jacobs Scholarship for Dance 2026
The Rea Jacobs Scholarship for Dance is a competitive scholarship open to high school students in grades 10–12 from Nassau and Suffolk counties who are continuing their dance education. Graduating seniors planning to pursue a major or minor in dance at the college level are especially encouraged to apply. One award of $1,500 will be granted, with the opportunity to perform at the Summer Arts Festival on the Chapin Rainbow Stage. Funded by the Jacobs Family and the Long Island Dance Consortium.
- Submission Deadline: Friday, May 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM
- Application Link: The Rea Jacobs Scholarship for Dance
About Rea Jacobs
Rea Jacobs dedicated over 60 years of her life to working in and supporting the arts in all its forms. She was well known and respected for directing innovative theatre productions and creating and producing the Performing Arts Series on Long Island and in Middletown, NY where she was the Director of the Orange County Arts Council. She was also the creator and director of the International Jewish Arts Festival, the largest of its kind in the world, which ran joyously for 19 years in Commack, NY. She served as the Long Island Dance Consortium’s Festival Coordinator and dedicated the last 12 years of her life to helping to create and direct LIDC’s “Celebration of Dance” performances as well as performances at the Huntington Arts Council’s Summer Arts Festival at Heckscher Park. It is a great honor for her family to be a part of this scholarship in order to continue her support of the consortium and young artists and to help her legacy live on.
2025
Rea Jacobs Scholarship for Dance recipient
Kacie Dillmann
About Long Island Dance Consortium
Long Island Dance Consortium consists of members of the Long Island dance community committed to provide education, develop awareness and increase understanding of all forms of dance in order to expand and cultivate the dance audience on Long Island. Members include dance companies, dance professionals, dance advocates, dance studios and Arts Councils. LIDC is an IRS 501© 3 non-profit organization. www.longislanddance.org
Sandi Bloomberg Scholarship for Dance 2026
The Sandi Bloomberg Scholarship for Dance is a competitive scholarship for Nassau and Suffolk County high school students in grades 10–12 who are considering furthering their education in dance, but not necessarily in an accredited program. One award of $1,000 will be given in 2026, with the opportunity to perform at the Summer Arts Festival on the Chapin Rainbow Stage.
This scholarship is funded by Sandi Bloomberg.
- Submission Deadline: Friday, May 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM
- Application Link: Sandi Bloomberg Scholarship for Dance
About Sandi Bloomberg
Sandi Bloomberg has had a distinguished career in the arts, especially in dance. For 25 years she owned and served as Artistic Director of the North Shore Studio of Dance in Huntington Station. She has been director/choreographer of her own company, the North Shore Dance Theatre, a not-for-profit company featured annually at the Huntington Summer Arts Festival in Heckscher Park, as well as many Long Island schools and libraries. She is also founder of The Red Hot Mamas, a senior troupe of tap dancers ages 60 to 87 who perform all over Long Island.
Ms. Bloomberg is a former Radio City Rockette, who holds a B.A. degree in English and Theater Arts from Adelphi University, and has recently had her poetry and short stories published in several literary magazines. She has six published children’s books which she reads in schools and libraries. She brings the stories to life engaging the young readers in creative movement.
She continues to help the Huntington Arts Council to keep the arts alive in Huntington, and fosters an appreciation of the arts in the young people of the community.
2025
Sandi Bloomberg Scholarship for Dance recipient Alexa Mincone
For questions, contact:
ARTS IN EDUCATION COORDINATOR, Sueey Gutierrez
sgutierrez@huntingtonarts.org
631-271-8423 X114