Students interested in pursuing arts in college can apply for a scholarship through the Surry Arts Council, which has more than $5,000 available to award area students.

The arts council is presently accepting applications for the 2009-10 scholarship program. Those interested in applying must be Surry County residents.

Scholarships are available for college-bound and college students, and artists who are pursuing a degree or continuing education in music, drama, dance, television/film/ communications, visual arts, commercial art, arts administration or other arts-related fields.

A limited number of scholarships are also available for middle and high school students who will be attending a summer arts camp or workshop.

Funds for the Surry Arts Council Scholarship program come from the Mildred Robertson Endowment, the Sandy Beam Scholarship Endowment Fund, the Jimmy Lowry Scholarship Fund and the Gilmer-Smith Foundation.

There is also a Product Design competition, funded in part by the Hal Brownfield Endowment. Entrants may be any age and must be from Surry county or reside in an adjacent county.

Applications are available at the Surry Arts Council office or online at www.surryarts.org. Applications are due by April 24 at 5 p.m. Auditions will be held May 20 at the Andy Griffith Playhouse at 6:30 p.m. Recipients will be notified May 29.

For more information, call the Surry Arts Council at 786-7998 or e-mail surryarts@trificient.net.