Every year thousands of performing, visual and literary artists age 15-18 apply to YoungArts through our national competition. Finalists attend National YoungArts Week to collaborate with peers and develop their crafts with internationally recognized leaders in their fields. Finalists in their senior year are further eligible for nomination as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts—one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.
All award winners—including Finalist, Merit and Honorable Mention award levels—receive mentorship and financial awards; gain access to a lifetime of creative, professional development and funding opportunities; and become part of an uplifting, inter-generational community that helps artists connect, create and collaborate.
| who should apply? | any student interested in arts and/or writing |
| eligible grade levels | sophomores – seniors |
| award | Merit: $100 Honorable Mention: $250 Level 3 Finalist: $1,000 Level 2 Finalist: $1,500 Level 1 Finalist: $3,000 Silver Finalist: $5,000 Gold Finalist: $10,000 |
| cost | $35 application fee (can be waived) |
| opens | summer 2022 |
| deadline | mid-October 2022 |
| decisions released | mid-November – early December 2022 |
| date of program | January 9-15, 2022 (National YoungArts week for finalists) |
| location | Virtual (National YoungArts week for finalists) |
| selectivity | ~10% awardee rate (?) |
| link | https://youngarts.org/ |
application requirements
- be a citizen of the US, a permanent resident/green card recipient, or legally able to receive taxable income in the US
- be in grades 10-12 or 15-18 years old on Dec. 1 of the application year
- be a first time National Young Arts Week participant if chosen as finalist
application process
- submit art/writing pieces by October 15
- art categories: classical music, dance, design arts, film, jazz, photography, theater, visual arts, voice
- writing categories: creative nonfiction, novel, play/script, poetry, short story, spoken word
notes
- 20 YoungArts finalist award winners are chosen to recieve US Presidential Scholar in the Arts
- Finalist award money can be used for anything the recipient chooses.