The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1981 by Ted and Lin Arison that operates the YoungArts competition, the premier national arts competition for young artists in the United States. YoungArts awards cash prizes from $250 to $10,000 to artists ages 15 to 18 across 10 disciplines: classical music, dance, design, film, jazz, photography, theater, visual arts, voice, and writing. Winners also receive mentorship, professional development, and lifetime access to the YoungArts community.
How YoungArts Works
The YoungArts competition is an annual national program. The 2026 competition accepted applications through October 8, 2025, and the 2027 application opens on July 21, 2026. Winners are selected from approximately 13,000 applicants by panels of accomplished artists in each discipline.
Award Levels
All YoungArts award winners receive cash prizes between $250 and $10,000. The competition recognizes three levels of award:
- Winner with Distinction: The highest level. These artists are invited to National YoungArts Week in Miami, where they participate in classes, workshops, and performances with acclaimed artists. They are also eligible for nomination as U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
- Winner: Receives a cash award and access to YoungArts programs and resources.
- Honorable Mention: Receives a smaller cash award and recognition.
Music Disciplines
YoungArts accepts applications in three music-related disciplines:
- Classical Music: For instrumentalists and composers performing Western classical repertoire. Applicants submit recordings of contrasting works.
- Jazz: For jazz instrumentalists and vocalists. Applicants demonstrate improvisation skills and jazz repertoire knowledge.
- Voice: For singers in classical, musical theater, and contemporary styles. Applicants submit recordings that demonstrate vocal range and versatility.
What Winners Receive
Beyond cash awards, YoungArts winners gain access to:
- Mentorship: Opportunities with accomplished artists who help winners prepare for and navigate a career in the arts
- Lifetime support: Resources and opportunities at every stage of artistic development
- YoungArts Post: A private online portal for winners to connect, share work, and discover opportunities
- National recognition: The award carries national prestige and demonstrates that the recipient has been recognized by respected artists in their field
- U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts eligibility: Winners with Distinction may be nominated for this highest honor for young artists
Eligibility
- Ages 15 to 18 or in grades 10 through 12 as of December 1 of the application year
- U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or legally able to receive taxable income in the U.S. (must have a Social Security number)
- First-time attendance at National YoungArts Week if selected as a Winner with Distinction
Real-World Example
A 17-year-old classical violinist in 11th grade could apply to the 2027 YoungArts competition when applications open on July 21, 2026. They would submit video recordings of two contrasting pieces, such as a Bach solo movement and a Romantic concerto movement, by the October deadline. If selected as a Winner with Distinction, they would receive a cash award (potentially up to $10,000) and an invitation to National YoungArts Week in Miami. There, they would perform in a showcase, take master classes with artists like violinist Jennifer Koh (a 1994 YoungArts winner and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts), and join a network of more than 20,000 YoungArts alumni.
A 16-year-old jazz saxophonist could apply in the Jazz discipline by submitting recordings demonstrating improvisation over standard jazz repertoire. A Voice applicant might submit recordings showing both classical art song and musical theater selections to demonstrate versatility.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
YoungArts is one of the few national competitions that recognizes musicians at ages 15 to 18, before college enrollment. This makes it a launchpad for young artists who need both funding and credentials to secure scholarships at top conservatories and universities.
The cash awards, while modest compared to college tuition, carry outsized prestige. YoungArts alumni include prominent musicians, actors, and visual artists. The award signals to college admissions officers and scholarship committees that the recipient has been vetted by professional artists at a national level.
The mentorship component is where YoungArts delivers long-term value. Winners work with accomplished artists who can provide career guidance, recommend summer programs, and write recommendation letters. The YoungArts Post community connects winners with alumni across decades of artistic careers, creating opportunities for collaboration and professional support that last far beyond the competition itself.
If you are between 15 and 18 and serious about a career in music, apply. The application requires recorded submissions, so start preparing your repertoire months before the October deadline. Choose pieces that showcase both technical command and musical expression. The 2027 application opens July 21, 2026.
Eligibility Criteria (plain terms)
To apply to the YoungArts competition, applicants must meet all of the following:
- Age: 15 to 18 years old, or in grades 10 through 12, as of December 1 of the application year (for the 2027 competition, this means December 1, 2026)
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or legally able to receive taxable income in the U.S. (must have a Social Security number)
- First-time attendance: Award winners who have previously attended National YoungArts Week cannot apply again under any discipline or category
- Disciplines: Applicants may apply in one or more of 10 disciplines: Classical Music, Dance, Design, Film, Jazz, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice, and Writing
- Music-specific disciplines:
- Classical Music: For instrumentalists and composers performing Western classical repertoire. Submit recordings of contrasting works
- Jazz: For jazz instrumentalists and vocalists. Demonstrate improvisation skills and jazz repertoire knowledge
- Voice: For singers in classical, musical theater, and contemporary styles. Submit recordings showing vocal range and versatility
- Application materials: Video recordings, audio recordings, documents, or images in a portfolio, plus payment of an application fee (or fee waiver documentation)
Deadlines
2027 YoungArts Competition:
- Application opens: July 21, 2026
- Application closes: October 6, 2026 at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT
- Winner notifications: Approximately November 2026 (via email)
- National YoungArts Week: January 2027 in Miami (for Winners with Distinction)
2026 YoungArts Competition (completed):
- Application closed October 8, 2025
- Winners announced November 24, 2025
- National YoungArts Week: January 4 to 11, 2026 in Miami
YoungArts strongly recommends submitting applications before deadline day. All materials must be uploaded and submitted (including payment or fee waiver) before the deadline.
Past Recipients
2026 YoungArts Winners (announced November 24, 2025):
- 734 winners from 39 states and the District of Columbia
- Selected from approximately 13,000 completed applications
- 171 Winners with Distinction invited to National YoungArts Week (January 4 to 11, 2026)
- Guest artists for 2026 included dancer Camille A. Brown, poet Mahogany L. Brown, photographer Anastasia Samoylova, and artist Kennedy Yanko
2026 YoungArts Week music performers (Winners with Distinction):
- Jazz: Matthew Cruz (saxophone/tenor), Jacob Hart (piano), Miri Izenberg (trumpet), Jazz Johnson (saxophone/alto), Sofi Longa (bass), Jeremiah Price (guitar), Saoirse Sipes (percussion), Ryan Smith (trombone)
- Classical Music: Irene Lee (oboe), Grace Yoon (bassoon), Samuel Lu (piano)
Notable YoungArts alumni (music):
- Jon Batiste (musician and bandleader)
- Terence Blanchard (jazz trumpeter and composer)
- Jennifer Koh (violinist, 1994 YoungArts winner and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts)
- Judith Hill (singer)
Other notable alumni across disciplines:
- Timothee Chalamet (actor)
- Viola Davis (actress)
- Amanda Gorman (poet)
- Camille A. Brown (dancer and choreographer)
All YoungArts award winners receive cash prizes between $250 and $10,000. Winners with Distinction are eligible for additional awards of up to $10,000 during National YoungArts Week. High school seniors among the Winners with Distinction may be nominated as U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
Videos
Related Opportunities
- From the Top for young classical musicians with financial need
- Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award for high-achieving young musicians
- ASCAP Foundation Scholarships for songwriters and composers
- Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
- Visit the YoungArts website for official application details and deadlines
Similar Scholarships
- Presidential Scholars in the Arts - The highest honor for young artists, nominated from YoungArts Winners with Distinction
- From the Top - Scholarships and performance opportunities for young classical musicians
- Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award - Awards for high-achieving young musicians with financial need
- Davidson Fellows - Scholarships for profoundly gifted young people under 18
