Record companies get involved in many things, but what Seattle’s Sub Pop Records is doing is quite specific. The company that brought us the likes of Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney has been running a scholarship program that is now in its 18th year.
The program goes under the title of Sub Pop Loser Scholarship and is limited to residents of Washington and Oregon. This year, Sub Pop is offering three scholarships of $6,000 each ($18,000 in total) to high school seniors from these two states.
The label is looking for applicants who are involved and/or interested in music and/or creative media and arts in some way. However, the applicants do not need to be pursuing an education in the arts.
Announcing this year’s (2024) program, the company says:
“As longtime, proud losers ourselves, we’re exceedingly happy to be able, in some small way, to help further the education of art-enthused misfits from the NW. Individuals from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply.”
Here are the rules:
To apply: you must submit an essay, one page or less, using any combination of the following questions as a guide (or write something completely your own, be inspired and creative!). Please list the school you are graduating from and the school you plan to attend in the fall at the top of your essay, along with your contact information.
– What are you doing in the arts/music field in your community?
– What does being a Sub Pop ‘Loser’ mean to you?
– What are your influences and/or who inspired you to become involved in the arts?
– Describe your biggest failure and explain how it has brought you closer to your goal(s).
– Discuss a special attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart.
– How has your family or community background affected the way you see the world?
– Why should you be the Loser winner?
The deadline for applications is Tuesday, March 19th, 2024. Please send all submissions and attachments to scholarship@subpop.com. They will announce the scholarship winners during the first week of April.
