Named after our Founder, the Arn-Chorn Pond Scholarship Program supports young Cambodians to realize their dreams of becoming professional artists. Each year we offer up to 25 scholarships to aspiring young artists to cover school fees and expenses. By providing in-need youth the opportunity to study, train with professionals and develop their skills, the program shows that a career in the arts is possible and gives them the confidence and experience to become role models for their generation.
Between 1975 and 1979, 2 million Cambodians died under the Khmer Rouge regime, including nearly 90% of artists, taking with them pieces of the country's culture and artistic heritage. In Cambodia today half of the population is under the age of 25, which makes launching a career a highly competitive process. For aspiring artists, obtaining a scholarship is vital for them to be able to study and gain the qualification or training they need in order to earn a living and provide for their family.
Each year we offer up to 25 scholarships of $1,200 to cover school fees and expenses. They are open to artists and other cultural workers who show talent and motivation to increase their expertise - with priority given to disadvantaged applicants. Paired with their direct scholarship gift, the Scholars are enrolled in a personal and professional development program that builds their confidence and capacity and provides them a long-term community for them to grow within.
We believe these students will pave the way for a dynamic and exciting cultural future for their country and create a Cambodia known for its arts, not its tragic past. Each scholarship student we accept has the opportunity to make a life for themselves in the Living Arts, create new works, inspire their friends and family, and contribute to shaping the next stage of Cambodia's story. As each class graduates, we are growing a bright new generation of artists and cultural leaders.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
