A new opportunity for Poly students to explore their artistic passions has arrived on campus. The Julia Jia-Yin Li Creative Arts Fund, established in 2025 by the Li family, will provide grants to students in grades nine through twelve who wish to pursue visual or performing arts projects beyond the classroom.
The fund was created in memory of Julia Jia-Yin Li ’21, a beloved Poly student who sadly passed away in 2024. Julia’s family established the fund after her passing to honor her memory and continue her legacy of creativity and generosity, ensuring that Julia’s spirit continues to inspire student artists at Poly.
“Through this award, Julia is remembered for being very kind and creative,” Visual Arts Program Director Arnor Bieltvedt said. “Her spirit will live on and encourage Poly students to discover and develop their creative skills and passions.”
Each year, the fund will award two grants of up to $5,000 each. These grants can be used for a wide range of artistic opportunities, including summer programs, internships, studio space, art supplies, and travel related to a creative project.
Applications for the grant closed on February 9. Students who applied were required to submit proposals describing their project idea, the amount of funding they are requesting, a timeline, and an explanation of how the experience will help them grow as either visual or performing artists.
Bieltvedt oversaw the application process alongside K-12 Performing Arts Chair Brady Frome. Together, they evaluated and selected proposals based on how well each venture reflects the spirit of the grant and supports student growth.
“The key part of the application is explaining how the project will help you develop as an artist,” Bieltvedt explained. “We want to see progress, curiosity, and passion.”
One of the most meaningful aspects of the fund to Bieltvedt is its personal connection to Julia. He had the privilege of teaching her from eighth grade through high school, including in his AP art class.
“She was one of the most creative students I’ve ever worked with,” Bieltvelt shared. “She absolutely loved art. She was in this classroom all the time.”
The fund is designed to be a lasting part of Poly’s art program. To foster opportunities for all interested students, those who do not receive a grant in a given year are welcome to apply again, and seniors are eligible as long as they complete their project before graduating.
“I see this becoming a solid foundation of who we are as a school,” Bieltvedt shared. “It really expresses our commitment to supporting students’ creativity and passions.”
The names of the students who were chosen to receive the grants were announced at a morning meeting. Senior Alejandro Kohn Rabassa will use the prize to fund his fashion design project that will explore his Chicano identity, and freshman Marise Saiki will be attending Idyllwild Summer Camp’s creative writing course with a focus on poetry performance thanks to this grant. After students complete their projects, they will also have the opportunity to write thank-you letters to the Li family and share their work with the Poly community.
Kohn Rabassa reflected on how the grant will help further his ambitions in the fashion industry. “My end goal is to own and creatively direct my own fashion company, and this project is a huge step in that direction. I would get to be in the role of an actual creative director, overseeing production for a finalized fashion collection,” he commented.
“This is a very genuine and wonderful thing that the Li family is doing,” Mr. Bieltvedt said. “Julia was one of the finest visual students we’ve had at Poly, an outstanding artist and a very kind person.”
For students with creative ideas and a desire to grow, the Julia Jia-Yin Li Creative Arts Fund offers more than financial support; it provides a way to turn passion into possibility while honoring a remarkable legacy.
