YoungArts

YoungArts is a national arts competition founded in 1981 that identifies and supports exceptional young artists ages 15 to 18 across 10 disciplines. Based in Miami, Florida, YoungArts awards cash prizes between $250 and $10,000 to winners in Classical Music, Dance, Design, Film, Jazz, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice, and Writing. Beyond the cash award, winners receive lifetime access to mentorship, professional development, grants, and the YoungArts Post alumni network. The 2027 application opens in Summer 2026 and closes on October 6, 2026 at 8 PM ET.

How YoungArts Works

Competition Structure

YoungArts accepts applications from artists ages 15 to 18 (grades 10 to 12) who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or legally able to receive taxable income in the U.S. (having a Social Security number). Applications are evaluated by discipline-specific panels of accomplished artists through a multi-round adjudication process.

The 10 Disciplines

For musicians, the relevant disciplines are:

• Classical Music: Instrumentalists (strings, winds, brass, percussion, harp, guitar, piano) and composers
• Jazz: Instrumentalists (saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass, drums, vibraphone) and vocalists
• Voice: Classical vocalists and musical theater singers

The following performance is from the 2026 National YoungArts Week Classical Music concert, featuring 2026 winners with distinction performing Poulenc's Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano:

Application Process

1. Apply: The 2027 application opens in Summer 2026 and closes on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 8 PM ET. Applicants submit performance recordings, portfolios, or writing samples depending on their discipline, along with application materials through the YoungArts online portal. A modest application fee is required, and fee waivers are available for students with financial need.
2. Adjudication: Applications are evaluated through multiple rounds of review by national panels of artists within each discipline. Panelists assess technical skill, artistic maturity, and creative potential.
3. Award notification: Winners are notified and invited to participate in YoungArts programs.

Awards and Benefits

All YoungArts award winners receive:

• Cash prizes: Between $250 and $10,000, depending on the level of award (Honorable Mention, Merit, Honorable Mention, Award, or Finalist).
• National YoungArts Week: Finalists are invited to a week-long intensive in Miami with masterclasses, workshops, and performances with renowned artists.
• YoungArts Post access: A private online portal where winners connect, share work, and discover fellowships, residencies, wellness resources, microgrants, and additional financial support.
• Grants and funding: Ongoing access to grants and awards available exclusively to YoungArts alumni.
• Professional development: Workshops, mentorship opportunities, and career development resources.
• Creative opportunities: Residencies, exhibition opportunities, and performance invitations.
• U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts: YoungArts Finalists are eligible for nomination as U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, one of the highest honors for high school students.

Here is a jazz ensemble performance from the 2026 National YoungArts Week, featuring winners with distinction performing "Dracula Flow 6," composed by Saoirse Sipes (a 2024, 2025, and 2026 Jazz winner):

Lifetime Support

YoungArts is one of the only organizations in the U.S. that supports artists across all 10 disciplines at all stages of development, beginning with the critical moment when they decide to pursue a life in the arts and continuing throughout their careers. The support does not end after the competition. Winners join a network of over 23,000 alumni that includes prominent artists across every creative field.

Past Recipients and Notable Alumni

YoungArts has selected winners annually since 1981. The 2026 cycle produced 734 winners from a record nearly 13,000 applications across 39 states and the District of Columbia. Each winner receives a $250 monetary award. Winners with distinction are invited to National YoungArts Week (held January 4 through 11, 2026 in Miami) and are eligible for additional cash awards up to $10,000. The 2025 cycle selected more than 800 winners from nearly 11,000 applications, with 169 receiving distinction.

The alumni network now exceeds 23,000 artists. Notable alumni include:

• Jon Batiste (2005 Jazz): Grammy Award-winning musician, Oscar winner, and former bandleader for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert"
• Timothée Chalamet: Academy Award-nominated actor
• Viola Davis: EGOT-winning actress
• Amanda Gorman: Inaugural poet and bestselling author
• Terence Blanchard: Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter and film composer
• Jennifer Koh: Violinist and Grammy nominee
• Denyce Graves: Internationally renowned mezzo-soprano
• Tarell Alvin McCraney: Academy Award-winning playwright (Moonlight)
• Andrew Rannells: Tony-nominated Broadway and television actor

Among the 2026 music winners with distinction, several stand out. Elina Ghosh, a 16-year-old junior at West Ranch High School, was selected in Popular Voice. Isabella D'Oriano, a senior at Fort Dorchester High School, was selected in Classical Voice. Myles Cherette from Franklin, New Jersey was selected in Jazz Voice and also performed at NBC's 2025 Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting. Maya Russell was selected in Popular Voice. Saoirse Sipes earned the distinction in Jazz for the third consecutive year (2024, 2025, and 2026) and composed the piece performed at the 2026 National YoungArts Week jazz concert.

Jon Batiste, a 2005 YoungArts Jazz winner, has become one of the program's most recognized alumni. Here he is performing an NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert:

Real-World Example

A 17-year-old jazz saxophonist in their senior year of high school applies to YoungArts in the Jazz discipline. They submit video recordings of two contrasting pieces: a bebop standard and an original composition. The first round of panelists reviews the video and advances them to the second round. They are selected as a YoungArts Award winner with a $5,000 cash prize.

As an Award winner, they gain access to YoungArts Post, where they discover a microgrant opportunity for young jazz musicians. They apply and receive an additional $1,500 to fund a debut recording session. They also attend a professional development workshop on music industry contracts, connecting with a mentor who is a working jazz musician in New York.

A 16-year-old classical violinist applies and is selected as a Finalist. They receive a $10,000 cash prize and are invited to National YoungArts Week in Miami, where they perform in a showcase concert and attend masterclasses with professional violinists. They are also nominated for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts program.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

YoungArts is the most accessible national competition for young musicians in the U.S. Unlike many competitions that charge high entry fees or require specific repertoire, YoungArts accepts applications across 10 disciplines with a straightforward online submission process. The application fee is modest and fee waivers are available for students with financial need.

If you are a musician between 15 and 18, apply in the discipline that best matches your work. Classical instrumentalists and composers apply to Classical Music. Jazz instrumentalists and vocalists apply to Jazz. Classical and musical theater singers apply to Voice. You can only apply in one discipline per year.

The cash prizes are significant for a high school student. A $10,000 Finalist award can fund a year of private lessons, a better instrument, or summer program tuition. But the long-term value exceeds the cash prize. YoungArts alumni status opens doors to college admissions, summer festivals, and professional opportunities. The alumni network includes Grammy winners, Tony nominees, and Pulitzer Prize winners.

The application requires recorded performances. Prepare your recordings carefully. Use high-quality audio equipment or record in a space with good acoustics. Choose repertoire that demonstrates both technical command and musical sensitivity. The panel evaluates your current ability and your potential for growth.

If you are 15 or younger, start preparing now. The competition is open to grades 10 through 12, so you can apply multiple years. Applying earlier gives you feedback from the adjudication process and experience with the application format, making you more competitive in subsequent years.

Related Opportunities

• Sphinx Organization for Black and Latino classical string players
• ASCAP Foundation Scholarships for composers and songwriters
• Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
• Music Schools Directory to find conservatories and music programs
• Visit the YoungArts website for application requirements, deadlines, and the 2027 application form