The Arts Council of Moore County is accepting applications for the Barnes-Travis Arts Scholarship that honors outstanding Moore County middle and high school students with a demonstrated talent and career interest in the arts.

Last year, over $2,000 was awarded to nine students who attended such programs as the New England Music Camp, Dance America's Southeastern Conference, George Mason Institute of Forensics, and for private music lessons. This year's application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 13.

As a component fund of the North Carolina Community Foundation, ACMC started the scholarship endowment in 2000 with the seed money donated by the family and friends of the late Harry Barnes, a former ACMC president and strong arts supporter. Later that year, the family of Vaud Ancil Travis III gave a major donation to the endowment because they loved the creativity behind the scholarship -- encouraging young artists to develop their talent and follow their artistic dreams. Because of their families' generosity, scholarship awards are given in the memories of Harry Barnes and Vaud Ancil Travis III.

Scholarship applications are available at the Arts Council offices (Campbell House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines), all Moore County middle and high schools, and for download on ACMC's Web site (www.mooreart.org).

The eligibility requirements for this scholarship are as follows:

- Applicant must have a demonstrated interest and talent in at least one arts discipline.

- Applicant must be registered, or in the process of registering, to attend an arts program or to take private lessons. These funds are not for college attendance.

- Applicant must be in grades 612 and attending a middle or high school in Moore County (N.C.).

- Applicant must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Those wishing to make a donation to the scholarship endowment so that more students can pursue the arts in the future will find the scholarship fund is a convenient way to support the Arts Council of Moore County.

Cash gifts, appreciated securities, real estate, testamentary gifts, insurance policies, charitable remainder trusts are among the many gift-giving possibilities which will help to support the growth of this fund.

For additional information on the Barnes-Travis Arts Scholarship Fund, call Chris Dunn at (910) 692-4356, e-mail acmc@mooreart.org, or visit the arts council's Web site at www.mooreart.org.