The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts

YoungArts (NFAA)

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The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) operates the YoungArts competition, providing cash awards from $250 to $10,000 for exceptional young artists ages 15 to 18 across 10 disciplines including classical music, jazz, and voice, plus mentorship and lifetime professional support.

Award Amount

$250 - $10,000 USD

Scholarship Type

merit-based

Eligibility Criteria

young-artists
ages-15-18
us-citizens-or-permanent-residents
grades-10-12

Instruments

multipleclassical-musicjazzvoice

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 showcasing 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.