Scholarships

Each year, the NRICA awards scholarships in honor people who were among the founders of the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts. By awarding these scholarships, we hope to encourage young people to explore the transformative power of the arts to inspire.

The Jack Lawhead Scholarship for the Arts

It was Jack Lawhead’s dream to establish a high school for the arts.  In his memory, the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts established this annual scholarship in 2016 to assist a student from the Beacon Charter High School for the Arts to pursue a degree in the arts. This year's scholarship was awarded to was awarded to Liam Boulay who will continue his arts education with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film at Ithaca College. Ithaca has decided to give Liam scholarships to continue his studies.   

Presenting  the award, Sharon Charette (NRICA President), Carol Nolan Paul (Scholarship Chair), 2026 Mardi Gras Queen Renee Ciambrone and Dave Richards of WOON Radio who represented Mardi Gras sponsor, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. Liam Boulay was unable to attend. Carol Nolan Paul will present the award to him at the Beacon Charter High School for the Arts awards night on June 17th.

The Cesare Ferrari Foundation Scholarship for the Arts

Cesare Ferrari bequeathed his entire estate to the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts to assist in promoting the arts within the community. The Cesare Ferrari Scholarship is awarded to a Woonsocket High School senior to pursue a degree in the arts. This year's scholarship was awarded to Adison Ellis of Woonsocket High School who will attend Johnson and Wales University to major in Music Appreciation and Marketing, with a focus on Public Relations.

Presenting the award, Sharon Charette (NRICA President), Carol Nolan Paul (Scholarship Chair), Cesare Ferrari Foundation Scholarship for the Arts recipient Adison Ellis, 2025 & 2022 Mardi Gras Queen Desiree Archambault, Mardi Gras Sponsor representatives from Chelo’s Amy Oberlander and manager Kathleen McCarthy.

The Ray Nolan Scholarship for the Arts

Ray Nolan has been involved in education much of his life, having been the Science Department Chairman before his retirement from Woonsocket High School. Mr. Nolan has always had a passion for the arts and has been a lifelong artist. This scholarship recognizes his lifelong commitment to inspiring the arts and showcasing the creativity of the youth of northern Rhode Island. In his honor, the NRICA established this annual scholarship to assist a senior from Woonsocket High School to pursue a degree in the arts.  This year's scholarship was awarded to Hayden Thurlow of Woonsocket High School to study Art Education at Rhode Island College.

The Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts

Scholarship for the Arts

The Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts (NRICA) was formed to enrich community life by means of the arts. We believe in encouraging the study of art among young people to achieve this goal. To do this, the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts has established this scholarship to assist a senior from Cumberland High School to pursue a degree in the arts.  This year's scholarship was awarded to Kaiden Hawkins of Cumberland High School who will be enrolled at Rhode Island College where he will major in Music Education. 

Trans-Pro Transition Program
of Woonsocket High School

Arts Exhibit and NRICA Art Contest

Throughout the years, the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts has held art contests for students in local high schools. The contest is held in collaboration with St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center's Fresco Italiano - A Night of the Arts. This event celebrates the arts and artists in northern Rhode Island.

 Ferrari Scholarship recipient Adison Ellis entertained the audience with “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog.