The Alliance for the Arts, the official nonprofit fundraising arm of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, recently announced the creation and implementation of the Richard Carpenter Performing Arts Scholarship Program.

"These significant financial scholarships will be made available to interested high school and college students throughout Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. Over 100 schools have been contacted and invited to have their most talented students in dance, song and instruments apply," said Patricia Jones, president and executive director for the Alliance. The deadline for applications is

Tues., Aug. 1. The top four finalists in each category will compete on stage in the Fred Kavli Theatre at the Countrywide Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks, on Wed., Sept. 20.

The performance for the scholarships on Sept. 20 has been dubbed the inaugural "Front and Center" talent competition and will also feature Richard Carpenter and three of his children, Traci, Mindy, and Colin, in performances that evening.

"We are extremely grateful to Richard and Mary Carpenter for providing the funding for this meaningful scholarship program. The Carpenter Scholarship Program will be a huge resource for the many gifted artists in our region," said Carole Nussbaum, chair of the scholarship committee and president and CEO of Cabrillo Music Theatre.

The first place winners in each category will be awarded $5,000 and have an opportunity to be featured in a prominent role in a Cabrillo Music Theatre production. The second and third place winners will receive $2,500 and $1,000 respectively. The "Honorable Mention" award recipient will receive $250.

Richard Carpenter was half of the brother-sister duo The Carpenters along with his late sister Karen. Their hit records began in the early '70s and included "Close to You" and "We've Only Just Begun." Richard and his wife, Mary, have five children and became residents of Thousand Oaks in 2000. They recently provided a $3 million gift to the Alliance to name the park in front of the Civic Arts Plaza the "Mary and Richard Carpenter Plaza Park." It was agreed that $1 million would be endowed to create this scholarship program with the Carpenters' input and involvement.

This donation is the largest gift ever received by the Alliance and the largest in Ventura County.

All interested students who would like to apply for a scholarship and an opportunity to perform