Scholarship Brief
Luke Gabriel Meraz was a unique artist who explored his vision through environments, repurposed assemblage art, character designs, illustrations, graphics and recycled fashion. Luke was in the midst of creating fascinating and intriguing alternate worlds and environments. AXEL, the main protagonist and Luke’s alter ego, a neo-cybernetic rebel appeared in many iterations of his graphic novel, and lives on through his legacy of work.
In the spirit of AXEL, this Scholarship celebrates and supports the self-proclaimed: rebel, out of the box thinker, the misfit, the freak, the underdog, the uniquely multi-disciplinary designer that has no boundaries or edges, and feels limited by thriving in just one discipline.
Application Process
2026 Scholarship - A new chapter
For six years, AXEL LIVES has celebrated and supported 18 wildly creative, unconventional, and out-of-the-box designers at ArtCenter College of Design.
We are excited to begin a new chapter! The AXEL LIVES Memorial Scholarship now awards one $5,000 scholarship annually to an exceptional ArtCenter student who embodies Luke's creative spirit, individuality, compassion, and courage to be different.
The scholarship is open to eligible ArtCenter students across all majors and disciplines.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications for the 2026 AXEL LIVES Memorial Scholarship are now managed through ArtCenter College of Design's official scholarship portal.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 20, 2026
To apply, visit the ArtCenter scholarship portal and follow the application instructions for AXEL LIVES.
Who Can Apply ?
The AXEL LIVES Memorial Scholarship is open to eligible undergraduate students across ALL MAJORS at ArtCenter College of Design.
We celebrate creative individuals who challenge convention, embrace originality, and aren't afraid to follow their own path.
Whether you're a designer, artist, storyteller, maker, or visionary, AXEL LIVES is about celebrating what makes you different.
For complete eligibility requirements, please refer to the official ArtCenter scholarship application.
APPLICATION CRITERIA
The AXEL Lives Memorial Scholarship is open to current ArtCenter College of Design undergraduate students with demonstrable need.
The scholarship celebrates originality, individuality, creative exploration, and the courage to challenge convention.
All official eligibility requirements, including academic standing and any applicable financial aid criteria, are determined by ArtCenter and outlined in the scholarship application portal.
APPLICATION SCHEDULE:
October 20, 2026: Applications open through ArtCenter's scholarship portal.
November 20, 2026: Application deadline.
Award Notification: The selected recipient will be notified through ArtCenter's official scholarship process.
SELECTION COMMITTEE:
The AXEL LIVES Memorial Scholarship selection process will be coordinated through ArtCenter College of Design in accordance with the College's scholarship and Financial Aid guidelines.
The scholarship continues to celebrate originality, individuality, creative exploration, and the courage to challenge convention.
PROMOTION AND CELEBRATION
AXEL LIVES proudly celebrates the creative spirit and accomplishments of its scholarship recipients.
Over the past six years, the scholarship has supported 18 extraordinary ArtCenter designers and artists. We look forward to continuing this legacy by recognizing one exceptional undergraduate student each year.
Recipients may be featured on the AXEL LIVES website, social media, and through ArtCenter College of Design communications, with their permission.
APPLICATION PROCESS
All applications for the 2026 AXEL LIVES Memorial Scholarship must be submitted through ArtCenter College of Design's official scholarship portal.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 20, 2026
The scholarship awards $5,000 to one undergraduate student selected annually from across all ArtCenter majors.
To apply, visit the official ArtCenter scholarship portal and follow the application instructions.
APPLY NOW
https://artcenter.academicworks.com/opportunities/4663/applications/new
For questions about application requirements or eligibility, please contact Eunice San Miguel, ArtCenter Financial Aid Office, via email: eunice.sanmiguel@artcenter.edu.
