The Dianne Cross Award for the Arts
2024 ArtSea Scholarship Recipients
ArtSea is thrilled to announce that two graduating students from SD#63 have been awarded the
The Dianne Cross Award for the Arts!
Our warmest congratulations to:
Abriella Mellings
Claremont Secondary
My passion is musical theatre. I love acting, singing, and dancing. I am continuing with my passion next year in school with theatre classes, as well as outside of school with community theatre companies. My future artistic studies include singing lessons, as well as a variety of acting classes. I also hope to continue to have the experience to learn on stage.
Daniel Rogers
Stelly’s Secondary
The Dianne Cross Award for the Arts is part of the ArtSea Scholarship Program, created in recognition of one of the founders of ArtSea Community Arts Council (then named, the Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula), to honour her remarkable contribution to arts and cultural activities on the Peninsula.
Scholarship Funds
ArtSea provides $1,250 each year to support the development of young artists.
At the end of each December, the Saanich School Board receives these scholarship funds from ArtSea, at which time application information is sent to all School District 63 High Schools.
Tenure (click for more info)
To be awarded to a graduating student to further enhances the study in the Arts in any or all of following: painting, sculpture, fibre, dance, drama, music, voice. Award can be used for artistic development such as tuition, lesson fees, instrument purchase or rental.
Applicants do not require an ArtSea membership to apply for the Dianne Cross Award for the Arts.
Criteria (click)
Graduating students from SD63; Claremont, Stelly’s, Parkland, South Island Distance Education School and Individual Learning Centres are eligible.
This award is non-academic and will be awarded based on need and merit, more than academic achievement.
Selection (click)
Scholarship applications received by the School District prior to the submission deadline are reviewed by the SD63 Scholarship Committee, together with Dianne Cross. This award is non-academic and will be awarded based on need and information provided in the covering letter, more than academic achievement.
How to Apply (click)
Eligible students must complete and submit the following to their school Scholarship Counsellor/ Scholarship Coordinator, who will submit the information to the School Board.
- District Scholarship Application (must be signed by a school counsellor), available online from SD63 or from your school counsellor.
- Cover letter explaining desires and goals in developing various art training, and details of how funds will be spent. The cover letter is the most important part of the application.
- Resume/curriculum vitae.
- Transcript of marks from grade 11 and grade 12.
- A letter of recommendation from current or previous instructor stating the area of interest and level of ability.
- We love hearing about the short and long-term activities and accomplishments of candidates, and would be happy to receive future updates and examples of work.
Presentation (click)
The successful candidate is presented with the scholarship at their school awards ceremony. A member of the ArtSea governing board will be present to congratulate the winner.
- Scholarship Amount:
$1,250 - Eligibility:
Graduating SD63 Students pursuing the Arts - Sponsored by:
ArtSea Community Arts Council - Deadline for application:
May of the current year - How to Apply:
Submit required information to school counsellor
Scholarship Information
Past Recipients
Dianne Cross Award for the Arts – 2023
Two graduating students were awarded the 2023 Dianne Cross Award for the Arts. Our warmest congratulations to Parkland Secondary School student, Cordelia Taylor, and Claremont Secondary School student, Emerson (Emmy) Hayes, for being selected to receive the 2023 ArtSea Scholarship.
Corde Taylor, Parkland Secondary School
Through Camosun’s and UVIC’s visual arts programs, I’m hoping to gain an undergraduate degree in art, and with that degree, I would pursue my dream career of being an art and sewing teacher.
Dianne Cross Award for the Arts – 2022
ArtSea is pleased to announce that two graduating students have been awarded the 2022 Dianne Cross Award for the Arts! Congratulations to Stelly’s Secondary School students Levi Viinikka and Calvin Ransom for being selected to receive the ArtSea Scholarship!
Levi has a strong love for music and tap dance. Levi will continue to pursue music at the University of Victoria with the intention of entering the Faculty of Music to study Music Education. Once completed, he hopes to work as a professional performer and teach music as well.
Calvin has been passionate about music since he took his first piano lessons in elementary school and has been involved in school band, musical theatre and concerts. He will continue his education at the School of Music at the University of Victoria, where he will study Music Education.
We wish both of you the very best in your music careers!
Dianne Cross Award for the Arts – 2021
The 2021 ArtSea scholarship has been awarded to a graduating student from Stelly’s Secondary! Our warmest congratulations to Sophie J.!
Dianne Cross Award for the Arts – 2020
Congratulations to Abby Blecic, the 2020 recipient of the Dianne Cross Award for the Arts. Abby is a Stelly’s Secondary School graduate with a strong love for the arts, especially musical theatre where she applies skills in dance, singing and acting. Abby will continue her studies at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria, BC, and hopes to complete her degree in Fine Arts with a Major in Musical Theatre at Capilano University. We wish you the very best, Abby!
Dianne Cross Award for the Arts – 2019
Congratulations to Rachel Tarasoff, the 2019 recipient of the Dianne Cross Award for the Arts. Rachel has been a dedicated student in Claremont’s Focus on Fine Arts (FOFA) program, with credits in dance, drama, musical theatre, music, and visual arts. She has performed in numerous productions, dance competitions and festivals, and as a featured extra in a Disney film production. In addition to dance and acting, Rachel is also trained in piano, cello, flute, and voice. Rachel will continue her studies in the arts at Capilano University’s Musical Theatre program. We wish you the very best in your future endeavours, Rachel!
Dianne Cross Award for the Arts – 2018
Keisha Hodge, a Claremont student, is the 2018 winner of the Dianne Cross Award for the Arts. Attending Claremont Secondary allowed Keisha to focus on the Fine Arts, specializing in musical theatre, drama, and dance courses. Keisha has many years of training in voice, stage and on-stage television. As stated by Keisha, “I am passionate about performing on stage and in film and television, as I love this form of storytelling.”
Dianne Cross Award for the Arts – 2017
Recipient of the 2017 Dianne Cross Award for the Arts was Masayoshi Avery Redman Suzuki. His plan includes attending the Concordia University’s Fine Arts program and then achieving a Master of Fine Arts to pursue a university-level teaching career.
