Foundation & Scholarship Program

The Saturday Club of Vacaville Foundation was established in January 2003, as a non-profit entity of The Saturday Club, to meet the following objectives and purposes:

• To provide support to young residents of Vacaville and Elmira who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the arts by providing educational scholarships for institutions of higher learning;

• To encourage and provide a performance venue for young residents of Vacaville and Elmira in the arts;

• To sponsor special events involving the public which promote arts and culture;

• To promote arts and culture in the community through various means;

• To work with other organizations which promote arts and culture in the community;

• To work with other organizations to benefit the community in other ways.

In 1974, the Saturday Club of Vacaville awarded one $250 scholarship to a high school senior going on to college to continue studies in the arts.  Through the years, the program has grown from that original $250 scholarship, to a $1,000 scholarship to three $1,000 scholarships, and then more!

In 2008, in partnership with the Advocates for the Arts (AFTA), from private donations, and through fundraising efforts, the Saturday Club awarded $12,000 in scholarships. The awards were $3,000 each to two Vacaville High School, one Will C. Wood and one Vanden High School senior continuing on to pursue higher education.  Their talents represented creative writing, theater arts, voice and instrumental performance.

More about our Scholarship Program . . .

Scholarship candidates are interviewed each year. They exhibit their art and/or perform for our Scholarship Committee members. The panel is not only looking for exceptional talent, but also for the students’ commitment to their art form, evidence of determination to succeed, definite goals, presentation, as well as technique. Their plans to give back to the community while in college, in their career and in their personal lives, are also principal considerations of the panel.

A Major in the arts is not required.

How does the student apply for a scholarship?

Mid-January, a letter with the year’s Application for Scholarship, along with criteria for application, is forwarded to Vacaville, Will C. Wood, Vanden, Buckingham and Vacaville Christian High Schools. This information is also forwarded to Solano Community College, including the Financial Aid Office. In addition, it is sent to St. Patrick’s and Justin-Sienna High Schools for the information of Vacaville and Elmira residents who attend those schools. Only Vacaville and Elmira legal residents are eligible for consideration. Letters go to the Counseling Offices and to department heads in the music, drama, art, choir, English (for creative writing), dance and film production departments of the high schools. Letters are also sent to those departments at Solano Community College and the SCC Financial Aid Office.

Students should contact one of the school departments listed above to obtain an application packet, which indicates the proposed schedule for interviews of candidates. They should plan to submit their application, along with three letters of recommendation (school counselor, teacher and adult family friend). Students are also asked to include a brief autobiography giving pertinent information about their interests and significant people who have helped them develop their talent. In their biographies, students are asked to indicate how they intend to advance their talent, while pursuing their higher education, as well as how they plan to continue to contribute to society by way of their talent in their planned career, and in their personal life.

Applications are usually due mid-March. Candidates are generally interviewed early to mid-April. The interview dates are established as to not conflict with the schools’ Spring Break schedules.

Do you know a Vacaville or Elmira High School Senior or College/University Under-graduate with a particular talent in the arts—voice, music, dance, theater, visual or graphic arts, film production, and/or creative writing?

If so, please pass on this information.

Contributions are often made to our Scholarship Fund in honor or in memory of loved ones or friends. Your donation to our Scholarship Fund is tax deductible.

Contributions may be sent to Saturday Club of Vacaville Foundation, 125 W. Kendal Street, Vacaville, CA 95688. For more information contact JoAn Wade at 448-4807.

2011 Scholarship Application (52 kB PDF)