Hope Through Art Scholarship | Ride to Prevent Suicide
Ride to Prevent Suicide

Hope Through Art Scholarship

An original artwork scholarship for Utah artists who use creative expression to share their experience of mental health and to help someone else feel less alone.

2Scholarships Awarded
$1,500Per Recipient
Aug 31, 2026Application Deadline
Purpose

Why this scholarship exists

The Ride to Prevent Suicide Mental Health Art Scholarship was established to encourage creative expression, raise awareness about mental health, and support individuals who use art as a way to share their personal experiences. Through artistic expression, we can foster understanding, reduce stigma, and create meaningful conversations about mental wellness and suicide prevention.

"What does mental health look like to you?"

Your artwork should reflect your personal perspective, experience, journey, hope, challenges, recovery, resilience, or understanding of mental health.

Scholarship Award

Award details

Number of Awards

Two (2) scholarships, awarded annually.

Award Amount

$1,500 per recipient.

Eligibility

Utah residents pursuing education, training, or personal development opportunities.

Selection Authority

Ride to Prevent Suicide Board of Directors.

Application Deadline

August 31, 2026. Open to high school students.

Award Ceremony

Announced at the Drive Fore Life Golf Tournament, September 11, 2026, Eaglewood Golf Course, 1110 E Eaglewood Dr, North Salt Lake, UT 84054.

Accepted Mediums

Any original form of expression

Submissions may be created in any artistic medium, including but not limited to:

Painting Drawing Sculpture Photography Digital Art Mixed Media Poetry Creative Writing Music Composition Songwriting Performance Art Film or Video Other Original Artistic Expressions
Eligibility

Applicants must

  • Be a resident of Utah.
  • Be at least 16 years of age or older.
  • Submit an original artwork created solely by the applicant.
  • Complete the scholarship application and artist statement.
  • Agree to allow Ride to Prevent Suicide to display or share the submitted work for educational, awareness, and promotional purposes, with proper artist credit.
Submission Requirements

Each applicant submits

  1. 1Original Artwork — a completed piece reflecting the scholarship theme.
  2. 2Artist Statement (500–1,000 words) explaining the meaning behind the work, how it represents mental health, the message you hope viewers take away, and how creative expression has influenced your life.
  3. 3Personal Information — name, address, phone number, email, and educational institution.
Judging Criteria

How submissions are scored

CriteriaWeight
Connection to Mental Health Theme35%
Creativity and Originality25%
Emotional Impact and Storytelling20%
Quality of Artist Statement10%
Overall Presentation10%

All eligible submissions are reviewed by the Ride to Prevent Suicide Board of Directors, who select two scholarship recipients. The Board's decisions are final. Recipients may be invited to present their artwork at the Drive Fore Life Golf Tournament, Saturday, September 11, at Eaglewood Golf Course, 1110 E Eaglewood Dr, North Salt Lake, UT 84054.

Our Mission

Art as a path to hope

By supporting artists who courageously share their experiences and perspectives on mental health, the Ride to Prevent Suicide seeks to promote hope, encourage conversation, reduce stigma, and strengthen suicide prevention efforts throughout Utah.

Application

Personal Statement & Artist Statement Form

Fill this out on screen or print it and complete by hand. Use the button below to print a clean copy.

Hope Through Art Scholarship

Artist Statement — Ride to Prevent Suicide

Artist Statement (500–1,000 words)

Please describe your artwork and its connection to mental health awareness, addressing:

  • The meaning behind your artwork
  • How the piece represents mental health from your perspective
  • What message you hope viewers will take away
  • How creative expression has influenced your life

Attach additional pages if more space is needed.

Questions about the scholarship?

Kristi Bergstrom

kristiridetopreventsuicide@gmail.com

www.ridetopreventsuicide.com

Award Ceremony

Drive Fore Life Golf Tournament

Saturday, September 11, 2026

Eaglewood Golf Course
1110 E Eaglewood Dr, North Salt Lake, UT 84054

Support the Hope Through Art Scholarship

Your donation helps provide opportunities for individuals to pursue their education while sharing their unique stories through art. Every contribution, no matter the amount, directly supports the Ride to Prevent Suicide Hope Through Art Scholarship and helps inspire hope, raise mental health awareness, and create lasting positive change in our communities. 

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