National YoungArts Foundation

The National YoungArts Foundation (commonly called YoungArts) is a Miami-based nonprofit established in 1981 by Lin and Ted Arison that awards cash prizes of $250 to $10,000 to exceptional young artists ages 15 to 18 across 10 disciplines. Winners are selected through a blind adjudication process by discipline-specific panels of accomplished artists. The foundation provides lifetime creative and professional support, including mentorship, microgrants, and a network of over 23,000 alumni.

How YoungArts Works

YoungArts accepts applications across 10 disciplines: Classical Music, Dance, Design, Film, Jazz, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice, and Writing. The 2026 cycle received nearly 13,000 applications and selected 734 winners across 39 states and Washington, DC.

Applicants must meet three eligibility requirements:

• Be a US citizen, permanent resident, or legally able to receive taxable income in the US (have a Social Security number)
• Be in grades 10 through 12 or ages 15 to 18 on December 1 of the application year
• Not have previously attended National YoungArts Week

Awards are given at two levels:

• YoungArts Award: All winners receive a $250 cash prize and lifetime access to YoungArts resources, including microgrants, professional development, and the YoungArts Post online community.
• YoungArts Award with Distinction: A select group (171 in 2026) is invited to National YoungArts Week in Miami, a weeklong intensive where they attend classes with internationally recognized artists, perform in public showcases, and compete for additional awards up to $10,000. Winners with distinction who cannot attend receive $500 instead.

All 2026 winners must complete the YoungARC financial literacy program (3.5 hours of instruction) to receive their cash award.

The 2027 application opens on July 21, 2026. The 2026 application opened on July 22, 2025 and closed on October 8, 2025.

Notable Alumni

YoungArts alumni include Jon Batiste, Timothee Chalamet, Viola Davis, Amanda Gorman, Denyce Graves, Jennifer Koh, and Tarell Alvin McCraney. The organization has operated continuously since 1981 and remains the only national award program recognizing young talent across all 10 artistic disciplines.

Real-World Example

A 16-year-old classical violinist in 11th grade submits an application to the 2027 YoungArts competition when it opens on July 21, 2026. She uploads video recordings of two contrasting pieces as required by the Classical Music discipline guidelines. The application costs nothing to submit. If selected as a winner, she receives $250 and joins the YoungArts alumni network. If her audition is strong enough to be named a winner with distinction, she travels to Miami for National YoungArts Week in January 2027, where she performs in a public showcase, takes masterclasses with artists like violinist Jennifer Koh (a 1994 YoungArts winner herself), and is eligible for additional cash awards up to $10,000.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

YoungArts is one of the few national programs that awards significant cash prizes to musicians who are still in high school. The $250 base award may seem modest, but the real value is access. Winners join a network of over 23,000 artists and receive lifetime professional development support, including microgrants and collaboration opportunities with cultural partners.

For classical and jazz musicians specifically, YoungArts recognition opens doors to conservatory admissions, summer festival invitations, and competition credibility. The program also served as the sole nominating agency for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts from 1982 to 2025, making it a proven pathway to the nation's highest honor for young artists.

Apply early. The application window typically runs from late July to early October, and media submission requirements vary by discipline. Prepare audition materials that showcase both technical command and artistic personality, since judges look for a sophisticated point of view, not just clean execution.

Related Opportunities

• Presidential Scholars in the Arts for the nation's highest recognition for young artists
• From the Top for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, another major scholarship for pre-college classical musicians
• Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
• Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your future earnings as a performing artist
• Visit the YoungArts website for official application requirements and discipline-specific guidelines