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

Last year, $2,200 was awarded to six students to attend such programs as the Contemporary Art Museum Design Camp at N.C. State University, perform with DCI's Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps, and to take private piano, cello and flute lessons. This year's application deadline is Friday, March 9.

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.

Thanks to another generous donation from the family and friends of local artist Carol Lawson Rouhier, all scholarship recipients in the visual arts will receive their award in Rouhier's memory. For many years, Rouhier supported ACMC and its youth programs, especially in the visual arts.

"ACMC is proud to honor her by rewarding our talented young people," says Chris Dunn, executive director.

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

The eligibility requirements for this scholarship are as follows:

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

n 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 or tuition.

n Applicant must be in grades 6-12 and attending a middle or high school in Moore County, N.C.

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

"If you know a talented middle or high school student who would benefit by attending a summer music camp or taking private art or music lessons, please encourage them to apply for the Barnes-Travis Arts Scholarship," says Dunn. "If you would like to make a donation to the scholarship fund so that more students can pursue the arts in the future, the scholarship fund is a convenient way to support the Arts Council. 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, contact ACMC at 910-692-2787 or www.MooreArt.org.