Jay Cannistraci Scholarship

A cherished friend and a film industry legend has passed on. On September 15, 2011, Jay Cannistraci lost his courageous battle with cancer, and we created this scholarship in his honour.

Jay launched his film career in 1969 as a premiere makeup artist on Goodbye, Columbus. He worked with directors Woody Allen, Oliver Stone and James Cameron, and contributed to more than 100 films and television episodes. Most recently he was one of our Film & TV instructors, and was instrumental in building the school into what it is today. His family, friends, faculty and students miss him. He was a great inspiration to all of us.

The scholarship is awarded each December to an individual with the passion and dedication to pursue a career as a professional makeup artist in film and television.

How to apply

Send your entry by email to info@cosmix.edu, or by post to Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry, 3440 N. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309.

Your entry must include:

1. A letter of introduction.
2. All pertinent contact information — email, phone number and address.
3. A statement of up to 500 words covering why you want to become a professional makeup artist, the area you want to specialise in, and what you plan to do once you are trained.

Entries must be received no later than December 1st each year. Winners are announced by December 15th.

Entries are reviewed by a panel of industry experts and members of the Cosmix executive team. Applicants are judged solely on their written expression — no previous artistry experience is required.

Eligibility and terms

To qualify, applicants must meet all the enrollment requirements: be 18 or older by the time classes begin, hold a high school diploma or G.E.D., be fluent in English, and be free from physical limitations that would prevent them from working as a makeup artist. International students must qualify for an M-1 Student Visa under the regulations of the U.S. Department of State.

The winner must confirm they meet these requirements within 30 days of being announced, or the scholarship passes to the runner-up.

The scholarship may be used at the Fort Lauderdale campus toward tuition for the Master or Master Pro Makeup Artistry Program, up to $10,000 USD. The student must begin classes within a year of receiving it. There is no cash award and no cash value for unused funds. The decision of the panel is final. Only the winner is notified, by phone and email.