2026 Scholarship recipient
Each year, in partnership with the San Diego Visual Arts Network, ArtWalk San Diego awards one emerging artist a scholarship called “The Business of Art Scholarship.” Congratulations to our 2026 recipient, Sierra Roberson.
Sierra Roberson
Sierra Roberson (she/her) is a visual artist working in drawing and painting. Her practice is a surreal personal narrative, giving viewers a glimpse through the complicated lens of the ever-colliding human experience between her and her subjects.
She is a self-driven artist who looks to give Black Americans struggling with mental health, addiction, and inequality a voice by portraying her own struggles in her work.
Sierra is based in her hometown, San Diego. In 2024 she completed her BA in Fine Art at San Diego State University’s School of Art + Design and is currently working on freelance projects throughout the county.
Make sure to visit her booth space at Mission Fed ArtWalk on April 25 & 26, near the cross of Cedar & India Street in San Diego’s Little Italy.
Business of Art Scholarship
The Business of Art Scholarship is a unique opportunity for an artist who has a body of work to showcase and is interested in selling their artwork during Mission Fed ArtWalk. Along with our partner, San Diego Visual Arts Network, we select one emerging artist to receive mentoring, a booth at the festival and more.
The Business of Art Scholarship recipient receives assistance with:
- Curation and presentation of artwork for Mission Fed ArtWalk booth
- Development of marketing tools for Mission Fed ArtWalk
- Guidance on effective interaction with Mission Fed ArtWalk audience
- Development of strategies for building on the Mission Fed ArtWalk experience
Mission Fed ArtWalk Benefits:
- Publicity opportunities for the selected visual artist
- A 10’ by 10’ exhibit tent at Mission Fed ArtWalk
- Dedicated page on event website
- Display walls for tent
- Morning news segments to showcase artwork (if opportunity is available for this)
San Diego Visual Arts Network (SDVAN) Benefits:
- Banner on the home page of SDVAN
- Ad on the homepage of the website in the Featured Events sidebar
- Listing in the events calendar with live links to the artist’s website
- Notice of event appearing in monthly messages which reaches an audience of thousands
- Feature in RAW Gossip Column
- Feature in SD View Art Now app
- Possible report of work on display in the Picked RAW Peeled blog
- Free listing on the SDVAN directory of artists (approximately 1,500 local artists listed)
- Download Application
The scholarship will be awarded to one emerging visual artist who has a body of fine artwork to be shown and sold at the event. To apply, please fill out the application and submit along with at least five images of your hand created fine artwork to Associate Director, Sean Christensen, at sean@artwalksandiego.org.
Applications will be reviewed by The Business of Art Scholarship partners and one scholarship recipient will be contacted in February 2026.
Business of Art Scholarship Sponsors
ARTWALK SAN DIEGO
ArtWalk San Diego produces San Diego’s Original Fine Art Festivals that celebrate both visual and performing arts.
SAN DIEGO VISUAL ARTS NETWORK
San Diego Visual Arts Network (SDVAN) is a database of information produced to improve the clarity, accuracy and sophistication of discourse about San Diego’s artistic and cultural life and is dedicated to the idea that the Visual arts are a vital part of the health of our city. SDVAN provides a resource-rich website and facilitates countless opportunities for inspiration and collaboration on visual arts projects.