PPAC Unveils Winning Logo Design for ARTS Scholarships Program

Program Marks 30 Years of Inspiring Creativity in Rhode Island Middle School Students

2026 Scholarship Applications Accepted Now Through Wednesday, March 25

Providence, RI – The Community Outreach Committee of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) is pleased to announce that high school sophomore Laura Rodríguez Rosario, 16, has been selected as the winner of the 2026 ARTS Scholarships Logo Competition. Rodríguez Rosario’s design will serve as the new logo for PPAC’s ARTS Scholarships for this year’s 30th Anniversary and going forward. 

As the winning designer, Rodríguez Rosario had the chance to see her name in lights on PPAC’s marquee and will receive a $600 cash prize.

 

P.J. Prokop, Director of Marketing at PPAC and the founder of the ARTS Scholarships program, said, “The PPAC Marketing Department launched the logo competition last summer to celebrate this milestone. The original ARTS Scholarships logo, which was created by then-middle school student Brett Cook, was selected in a logo competition, so this year’s contest continues that tradition. Laura did a wonderful job capturing what the program represents through her design and we congratulate her.”

 

The Logo Competition drew 43 submissions from Rhode Island middle and high school students. The winning design was chosen by the Community Outreach Committee in collaboration with the PPAC Marketing Department.

 

“I am really happy and excited that my art is getting recognition,” said Rodríguez Rosario. “I’m pretty sure this might be the coolest thing that has ever happened to me! I want to thank every nerdy movie I’ve ever watched because they inspired me to keep creating and developing my art.”

 

ARTS Scholarships Applications for 2026 Open Now through March 25

Applications for the 2026 ARTS Scholarships program are now available at ppacri.org/artsscholarships; the application deadline is at 12 NOON on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.  ARTS Scholarships Program Director Ricky Gresh said, “Applications have four components, including a required recommendation, so it’s important for students to start early.”  Interested applicants may email Ricky Gresh at scholarship@ppacri.org with questions or to request a paper application.  

 

Since its inception in 1996, the ARTS Scholarships program has encouraged Rhode Island students in grades 6–8 to discover and develop their knowledge in their selected art form. Each scholarship—valued at up to $600—allows a young artist to enroll in a summer arts program of their choice. Past scholarship recipients have studied at organizations across Rhode Island and beyond, including the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School, Rhode Island School of Design, Blue Door Music School, Ballet RI, PPAC’s own Next Stop BROADWAY® and many others.

 

Janet Forgarty, Chair of the Community Outreach Committee of the PPAC Board of Directors said, “I know that I speak for all members of PPAC’s ARTS Scholarships sub-committee when I say that we are encouraged and inspired by the student applications we receive each year. We appreciate the opportunity to play a small part in helping Rhode Island middle school students pursue-and in some cases-discover, their passion for the arts.”