The Coconut Grove Arts Festival (CGAF) Board of Directors announced the 2026 recipients of its prestigious student scholarship program, awarding $75,000 in scholarships to 15 outstanding high school seniors from Miami-Dade County. Each student received a $5,000 scholarship in recognition of their exceptional artistic talent and dedication.
The private scholarship ceremony was hosted by Courtyard by Marriott Miami Coconut Grove on Sunday, May 17. At the event, friends and family of the honorees were given the opportunity to view an impressive display of each student’s artwork.
Photos are available on Google and Facebook.
A Meaningful Investment
As one of the country’s premier outdoor fine arts festivals, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival has long supported the development of young artists and the future of the arts community.
“We have a responsibility not just to showcase great art, but to support the next generation of artists — that’s where the true legacy of this Festival lives. These scholarship recipients are a powerful reminder of why we do this work. Helping them pursue their artistic education is one of the most meaningful investments the Festival makes all year.” — Pamela Mayer, Chairwoman, CGAF Board of Directors.
“What strikes you every year is how fully formed these young artists already are — the depth of vision, the technical skill, the stories they’re driven to tell. We are proud to stand behind them at this moment in their creative lives and to be part of what comes next.” — Camille Marchese, Executive Director, CGAF.
Exemplifying Artistic Promise
Spanning a broad spectrum of artistic styles and mediums, this year’s recipients used their work to explore themes of identity, memory, belonging, and cultural influence. Collectively, the students exemplify the remarkable creativity and artistic promise thriving throughout Miami-Dade County.
Photos are available on Google and Facebook.
Finalists were selected through a rigorous review process in which students’ art portfolios, artist statements, and teacher recommendations. They were evaluated by Marlen Kohn and Marilyn Traeger — founding members of the Fund for Design & Art Education, who originally established the scholarship. This year they were joined by Ampara Bacallao, a Digital Designer at Oceania Cruises, the program’s first Isaiah Scholarship recipient and a graduate of an M-DCPS Visual Arts Magnet program.
The Board recognized the retired educators whose decades in the classroom helped build the foundation of arts education in South Florida — a legacy that continues to inspire the next generation of artists.
Beyond scholarships, the CGAF remains committed to nurturing young talent year-round through a variety of educational and engagement initiatives. These include the Emerging Artists Program, a two-year mentorship designed to help artists build a strong foundation for their careers; Visiting Artists Workshops held in local schools; the Young Collectors Club, which encourages young attendees to start collecting art; and regular donations of art supplies to area schools.