The Weyburn Arts Council has opened up the Millie Coghill Fine Arts Scholarship application process to be ongoing, rather than having a fixed deadline.

"We've revamped the application process this year, and we are now accepting applications year-round, rather than just once a year, and those awards will be granted year-round until our allotted funds for the year are depleted," explained WAC Co-Chair Natasha Hill. "So it is still more beneficial to get your application in sooner than later, but we do accept year-round applications."

She said the one proviso, however, is that you can only receive one scholarship award in any calendar year.

Another more gradual change is that the scholarship can be used for individual courses, or immersive workshops, whereas originally it was created for post-secondary students.

"DJ Richy Roy is one of our previous award winners. He went into a program for music creation," she noted. "So it's just a matter of finding your passion, and the only criteria that is really important is that this application form for the Millie Coghill cannot be for one-off classes, so it can't just be if you want to take one painting class, it has to be an actual program or immersive workshop. With regard to music lessons, it would have to be a program where there is a start and a finish rather than an ongoing one. Much the same as you have your post-secondary education has a start to finish, your workshop has to have a start and a finish."

Hill said that to qualify for the Millie Coghill, you must be a high school student who is graduating or an adult. This is because "there is funding available for children's programs in other aspects."

"That's why the spectrum of the award was increased from just primarily being a post-secondary scholarship. We wanted to reach more people and have more art in the community," she shared. "The actual definition of art is drastically changing, and what people perceive to be art. We want to be in on that as well, and be progressive with how we're awarding these scholarships." 

Since applications are adjudicated as they come in, Hill explained that once the 2024 funds are depleted, WAC will make a post that no more applications will be received for this year. However, those hoping for funding can always apply in 2025.

"Previously we awarded it in June. Well, if I decide in November when this class comes up, I didn't know about it in June. So it allows some more flexibility for people to apply for things throughout the year." 

Furthermore, in other years there has been a lack of applicants and they've had to extend their deadline.

"So we wanted to make sure that we're reaching as many people as we can. Going into the summer months as well, there tends to be less programming available because it's summer and people are out doing outside things and whatnot. So we're hoping that by changing the parameters of the application time, we will be able to hit more people and award more money to expand the arts in Weyburn."

The Millie Coghill Fine Arts Award is a scholarship program that's annually funded by Millie's grandson, Ian Coghill, in memory of his grandmother.