Scholarships

The Wheatland Music Organization, Inc. (WMO) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve as a regional resource center, and to preserve and present traditional music dance, arts, and crafts. One of the ways that WMO meets this mission is through the Elyce Fishman Scholarship Fund, Jenine Stickler Memorial Fund, and the Jan Fowler Traditional Dance Calling Fund for individuals, and the Jenine Stickler Memorial Group Fund for instructors of groups.

There are no deadlines for applying for scholarships.

Elyce Fishman Scholarship Fund

Who is eligible: Children & Adults

What it’s for: The purpose of the Elyce Fishman Scholarship Fund is to provide funding to enable residents to enhance their growth and education in the areas of traditional music, dance, arts and crafts through camps, workshops, lessons, training and/or instruments, dance shoes, or art supplies.

Geographic requirement: Michigan residents* (especially mid-Michigan)

Traditional arts are learned person to person, passed from generation to the next, and influenced by culture, family, ethnicity, and era; they often represent a place or a group of people and can express the thoughts and feelings of a point in history. Examples of traditional music are folk music, old time, bluegrass, Cajun, French Canadian, blues, Great Lakes, and more. Traditional dance styles may include clogging, Celtic, step-dance and more. Puppetry and storytelling are examples of traditional performance art.
Traditional craft arts include stone building, pottery, basket making, quilling, quilting, beadwork, spinning, wood carving, and more.

*The funds come from Wheatland Music Organization, WMO Endowment earnings, donations and funds given by the Blissfest Music Organization earmarked for traditional arts applicants from Northern Michigan or the Eastern Upper Michigan Peninsula area!

Scholarship Poster

Printable Application

OR Email to Apply: Download this application, fill out using your computer, then save with identifying file name (such as Coldwater Academy Jim/Jane Doe app 2024). Print and sign with ink or electronically, scan doc, and two references, then submit as a pdf to [email protected].

OR

Mail Submissions: Mail all pieces to Scholarship, WMO, Box 22, Remus, MI 49340. 

Awardee Report

Jenine Stickler Memorial Fund

Who is eligible: Children & Youth (3-18)

What it’s for: Help children or youth with demonstrated financial need to  obtain art “tools and equipment” so they can take part in school, community,church and other personal pursuits. Included might be acoustical musical instruments (violin, bass, piano, flute, etc.) or art supplies/equipment (dance shoes, a potters wheel, etc.).

Geographic requirement: Mecosta, Osceola, Lake, Montcalm, & Newaygo Counties
The Jenine Stickler Memorial Fund was established by friends and family to have a permanent and sustainable designated memorial fund in Jenine’s name – an endowment within Mecosta County Community Foundation that is an affiliate of Fremont Area Foundation Center. 

Scholarship Flyer

Printable Application

OR Email to Apply: Download this application, fill out using your computer, then save with identifying file name (such as Jim/Jane Doe app 2024). Print, sign with ink or electronically, scan doc and two references, and then submit as a pdf to [email protected].

OR

Mail Submissions: Mail all pieces to Scholarship, WMO, Box 22, Remus, MI 49340.

Awardee Report

Jenine Stickler Memorial Group Fund

Who is eligible: Nonprofit or School Instructors of Children & Youth (3-18)

What it’s for: Instructors teaching traditional arts may seek up to $50 per student or up to a total of $1500 to buy instruments or art supplies that students may keep and take home. Help children or youth with demonstrated financial need to obtain art “tools and equipment” such as recorders, ukuleles, harmonicas, carving tools, etc. so they can practice at home and build skills.

Geographic requirement: Mecosta, Osceola, Lake, Montcalm & Newaygo Counties
Apply Online

OR Email to Apply: Print this application, fill out using your computer, then save with identifying file name (such as Coldwater Academy Jenine Stickler Group app 2024). Ask an administrator to sign with ink or electronically, scan doc, including the image of the art 'tool' to be purchased, then submit as a pdf to scholarship@wheatlandmusic.org

OR

Mail Submissions: Mail all pieces to Scholarship, WMO, Box 22, Remus, MI 49340

Jan Fowler Traditional Dance Calling Fund

Who is eligible: Michigan adults & teens 
 
What it’s for: The fund will help cover the cost of workshops, classes, and mentoring for teaching old-time dance calling. Travel expenses and other miscellaneous expenses will be considered.
 
Geographic requirement: Michigan 

The Jan Fowler Traditional Dance Calling Fund was established by Jan’s family to provide funds for the purpose of ensuring there are tradition bearers with the skill to teach and call old-time community dance Squares, rounds, contras, and play party games. Jan called for dances at the Wheatland Festival and other Wheatland events (Traditional Arts Weekend, monthly dances, Wheatscouts), other festivals, and dance events around the state for nearly 40 years.

Apply

Download Flyer

OR Email to Apply: Print this application, fill out using your computer, then save with identifying file name (such as J. Doe Square Dance Caller Training app 2024). Sign with ink or electronically, scan application and one reference letter and submit as a pdf to scholarship@wheatlandmusic.org.

 OR

Mail Submissions: Mail all pieces to Scholarship, WMO, Box 22, Remus, MI 49340