Congrats to our 2025 Recipient!

Shane Mancuso

“Life has a remarkable way of building connections between people, especially through art, one of the most powerful forms of expression. Whether it’s a digital image on a screen or the subtle stroke of a brush on canvas, art carries emotion. You can feel the passion, the vulnerability, the story behind each piece, and through that you connect not just to the work, but to the artist behind it.

As an artist, my goal has always been to express those emotions honestly, and to create a space for others to find and express their own. I believe our industry needs more compassionate, thoughtful, and empathetic voices, artists who can tell stories that reflect those values and who understand that art doesn’t just speak; it listens.

In times of political and social division, kindness and empathy are among our most powerful tools not just as artists, but as people. So, this is both a reminder to myself and a piece of advice for any artist walking their path: keep creating. Keep telling your stories and drawing your characters. But above all, keep compassion at the heart of what you do. Let your work invite others in. Let it reflect your truth, while giving others the space to find theirs. In the end, it’s not just about the art we create, but the humanity we share through it. Let art be the bridge. Let it connect us; through kindness.”

Check out more of Shane’s work here.

Congrats to our 2024 Recipient!

Skye Hall Cabrera

“My biggest struggle was being able to afford art. I grew up in a family of six and when I was little, we lived in North Carolina. Art classes were something my parents couldn’t afford. Luckily, my mother always did her best and [taught us to] make magic out of our small budget, my sibling and I would always sit on the floor [drawing on] notebook papers with pencils.

We eventually moved to New York City [and it] opened my eyes to new people, cultures, and— most importantly— accessible art classes. I can’t tell you how appreciative I was to attend my first art class in a summer program, get free supplies, borrow books from the libraries and especially to see such a large group of young artists with all different mediums and specialties. It was a huge turning point.

In my family, art was often viewed as a risky career path, and going to college seemed out of reach. My father was an artist himself, but he had to put aside his dreams to support us.

This scholarship represents more than just financial support—it’s a sign that I can make it. I can become an artist without limits to learn and grow. Thank you, Titmouse Foundation and especially to Shannon for giving me this opportunity!”

We were impressed with Skye’s dedication to her family in being a caretaker to her disabled mom and “third parent” to her siblings, while also adamantly pursuing her dreams of becoming an animation director one day. With her family’s finances strained to cover medical expenses, they are unable to support her ambitions in the artistic field. However, that did not dissuade Skye, who jumped wholeheartedly into her high school years and hustled. She joined the National Honor Society, founded an animation club, served as senior class treasurer and made the most of every opportunity her school provided, which included mentorships from studios like Nickelodeon, MOMA PS1, and Nathan Love. With the help of Titmouse Foundation’s scholarship, Skye will be attending ArtCenter College of Design in Los Angeles. Congratulations Skye!

Check out more of Skye’s work here.

Congrats to our 2023 Recipient!

Ace Tang

“Being a first generation student from an immigrant household, my family has worked hard to provide me with opportunities to build a bright future. My aging father worked 10 hours every day to support the family, and my mother made sure we came home to hot meals and a warm home. But as college was fast approaching, my father wasn't getting any younger and affording college became more and more of a question. With this scholarship, I am now able to not only afford college, I have access to incredible opportunities. I can do things like take classes outside of college to help me with my skills and seek extra support with the mentorship, which is important for me as someone with AuDHD and needs the extra one-on-one help. Going into the animation industry, a goal that I found intimidating at first, is something that I am more confident in with the support network I have now thanks to the Titmouse Foundation. As I move forward, I can now take a more confident step into the future into my career as an artist.” - Ace Tang

Check out more of Ace’s work here!

Congrats to our 2022 Recipient!

Debra Gonzales

Debra grew up with loving parents who supported her dream of becoming a professional artist. As a family, they faced many hardships, including a lack of financial resources, her father’s cancer, and Debra’s lengthy commute from the Bronx to Manhattan in order to attend the specialized High School of Art and Design. Despite his health and disability, Debra’s father woke up early every morning to commute with her into the city, while her mother worked tirelessly to support the family. By receiving this scholarship, Debra feels relieved knowing her parents have one less thing to worry about and can finally pursue their own dreams, such as buying their first home. The Titmouse Foundation is proud to help this budding young artist grow and discover new opportunities that may not have been accessible to them previously.