In 1971, members of the Naples Art Association initiated a scholarship program designed to encourage young aspiring artists to realize their dreams of becoming professionals in the visual arts. Since then, awards have been given annually by the NAA to Collier County high school students in conjunction with an exhibition of their work. Junior and senior high school students in Collier County, who are interested in furthering their art studies at the college level, eagerly participate in this competition for scholarships that help to defray student tuition costs for art courses at the college level.