Scholarships

Youth Scholarships 2026

Applications are open until Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Please click the button below to download and complete the Application Information Sheet. This is a required document for your application submission.

Download the Application Info Sheet

The Jack Fisher Memorial Scholarship

MacPhee Centre established this bursary to honour Jack Fisher's artistic spirit and celebrate future leaders participating in the Centre's programming within the last two years.

MacPhee Centre will select one (1) successful applicant to receive this $1,000.00 bursary for their post-secondary studies.

About this Award

Jack Fisher

The Jack Fisher Memorial Scholarship was established to honour the life of Jack Fisher, son of board member Victor Fisher. Jack’s life ended prematurely at the age of twenty-two. In his memory, this scholarship was created to provide financial support to graduates of MacPhee Centre wishing to pursue their creative passions through post-secondary education.

Jack always had an artistic flair but, like many artists, was extremely hard on himself. He was a perfectionist who wanted everything he created to be perfect. Jack was an accomplished athlete, musician, and budding fashion designer in high school. After a few challenging years of adolescence, Jack showed strength of character to become sober at the young age of 18. From rehab, Jack attended The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and was a semester away from graduating from The Los Angeles Film School. His dream was to run a music management company to create a safer and more equitable environment for young artists.

It is the hope that this scholarship will provide aid to a MacPhee participant who wants to make their way forward and follow their dreams in the world through creative arts.

Eligibility Requirements

The Jack Fisher Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a participant who:

Is currently enrolled in Grade 12;
Is enrolled in post-secondary education at a College or University;
Has previously attended MacPhee Centre programs
Aims to follow their dreams through creative pursuits;
Is experiencing financial or accessibility barriers to accessing post-secondary education;
Contributes to their community, as demonstrated by long-term commitment and leadership as volunteers, students, artist and/or athletes.

Selection Criteria

Please submit the following to be considered for this scholarship:

A short essay (500 words min.) or a piece of art in the medium of your choice (painting, drawing, song, script, etc.) that outlines your financial situation and the importance of the bursary for you;
Your letter of acceptance from the post-secondary institution you will be attending;
Portfolio (A collection of 5-8 Artworks [digital copies] or 2 minutes minimum of video/animation) of any creative nature in any medium.

Submission Details

Applications must be submitted by email or in person by Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Please note once your application is submitted, you can no longer make edits.

Application can be emailed to info@macpheecentre.ca

Or applications can be dropped off in person at: MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, 50 Queen Street, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 1G1.

If you have questions or need assistance filling out this application, please contact the MacPhee Centre at info@macpheecentre.ca or by phone at 902 469 2851

Download the Jack Fisher Scholarship Application Package

This download includes the application information listed above in the accordion.

The Karn Nichols Passion and Purpose Award

This award honours Karn Nichols for her leadership and contribution to the community and was first awarded in 2021. The Passion and Purpose Award is a thank you to Karn for all her hard work and dedication to the MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning.

The fund will provide up to one (1) individual scholarship totalling $1,000 and the opportunity to build a relationship with Karn while exploring career possibilities.

About this Award

Karn Nichols

Former Chair of the MacPhee Centre Board, 2015-2021

“Some journeys are direct, some are circuitous; some are heroic, and some are fearful and muddled. But every journey, honestly undertaken, stands a chance of taking us toward the place where our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.”

~ Parker J. Palmer

Karn is a one-of-a-kind human and service leader. She is ethical and virtuous, honest and thoughtful and leads by example. Karn’s focus on people and systems sets the foundation for what the MacPhee Centre is to our youth and community. She is a lifelong learner grounded in doing what is right. She believes in living an authentic life, staying true to her passions, and feeding her soul with things like nature and writing.

Karn started volunteering with the MacPhee Centre in 2009 after she heard Social Entrepreneur Bill Strickland speak about his creative learning centre in Pittsburgh. Karn, a new St. Mary’s University student, sat in the first row. She was mesmerized by how much passion and purpose Bill exhibited when he spoke about the work he did.

The MacPhee Centre was inspired by Bill's work in the US. When Karn initially got involved, it was the seed of an idea in the hearts and minds of a few founding Board members. Karn connected with these folks and offered to help out wherever she could. Over the years, she went from selling fundraising tickets to chairing our Board of Directors for over six years, finally finishing up in 2021.

During her time as Board Chair, Karn put in over 3,500 hours of volunteer time. In addition to volunteering where needed, she provided mentorship and coaching to the MacPhee Centre team and established our Advisory Council. She also ensured we remained focused on ensuring MacPhee created the conditions for youth passion and purpose to connect through the arts.

This award was created as a thank-you to Karn for her dedication and hard work at the MacPhee Centre.