OCA Creative Arts Scholarship

In celebration of OCA’s 50th anniversary, up to four (4) individuals will be awarded a full-ride scholarship to the upcoming OCA National Convention taking place in Washington, D.C. on July 12 to 16, 2023. A full-ride includes convention registration, airfare, and lodging.

This scholarship is exclusive to those who’ve participated in OCA National’s youth programs between 2019 and 2023. Youth programs include the OCA National Internship Program, OCA National scholarships, APIA-U: Leadership, and APA Y-Advocate. Those who’ve contributed to the DAY x OCA special edition of IMAGE Magazine are also eligible for this scholarship.

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must submit an original piece of creative work, such as illustrations, paintings, poetry, essays, etc. that OCA may publish in the next issue of OCA’s in-house magazine, IMAGE.

OCA members will be voting to determine the winners of this scholarship.

The deadline to apply is May 5, 2023 at 11:59 PM PT.

If you have any questions please contact hojin.kim@ocanational.org.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must have participated in an OCA National youth program between 2019 and 2023. A youth program includes an OCA National internship, scholarship, APIA-U: Leadership training, or APA Y-Advocate training. Those who’ve contributed to the DAY x OCA special edition of IMAGE Magazine are also eligible for this scholarship.

  • Applicants must identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander (AAPI).

  • Applicants must be 25 years old or younger as of July 12, 2023.

  • Applicants must not be a child or dependent of:

    • An OCA National staff member,

    • An OCA Executive Council member,

    • Or an OCA Business Advisory Council member.

Application Requirements

  • Headshot

  • Short Bio (300 words max)

  • A creative Work that answers one of the following prompts (you can draw from the OCA program(s) you’ve attended):

    • What is one thing you learned about your AAPI identity (or history) ?

    • Tell us about an issue you used to feel helpless about but now feel ready to advocate for .

    • Tell us about a new issue you have become an advocate about.

    • Why is civic engagement important?

  • Artist’s Statement (300 words max)

    • This is your written description of your work to help viewers (and voters) understand it.

Disclaimer: by submitting your work to this scholarship you give OCA permission to publish your work in a future issue of IMAGE Magazine even if you do not win this scholarship. You will still retain full ownership of the rights to your work. IMAGE Magazine is free and OCA does not profit from it.

  • This includes those who identify as East Asian American, Filipino American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander American, South Asian American, and Southeast Asian American.

  • If you are unsure, please contact kent.tong@ocanational.org.

  • Visual art such as illustrations, paintings, graphic design, etc. and written works such as poetry, essays, etc. are acceptable. Unfortunately, since IMAGE Magazine is a physical magazine, video and audio works are not acceptable.

  • If you are interested in having your work featured in a future issue of IMAGE Magazine, please contact kent.tong@ocanational.org.

Frequently Asked Questions