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, $2,260 was awarded to seven students to attend such programs as the Mims Studio Youth Art Program, N.C. Governor's School, UNC Greensboro's Summer Music Camp, Devan Ward Acting Classes, and to take private guitar lessons. This year's application deadline is Friday, March 8.

As a component fund of the North Carolina Community Foundation, ACMC started the scholarship in 2000 with seed money donated by the families and friends of the late Harry Barnes and Vaud Ancil Travis III, two long-time and strong supporters of the Arts Council of Moore County and the arts throughout Moore County. >

Two additional funds have been created in memory of local artist Carol Lawson Rouhier to award scholarships to visual arts applicants, and in memory of actor Sara Schrock to award scholarships to theater applicants.

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 art lessons. These funds are NOT for college attendance or tuition.

n Applicant must be in grades six-12 and attending a middle or high school in Moore County.

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 could 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 Chris Dunn, executive director of the Arts Council. "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.