YoungArts
National YoungArts Foundation Awards
A national arts award across ten disciplines, and the sole route to a United States Presidential Scholar in the Arts nomination.
Run by National YoungArts Foundation
Key facts
- Eligible grades
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Grades 10 to 12, as an alternative to the age criterion.
Source, checked 2026-09-02
- Eligible ages
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Ages 15 to 18, or in grades 10 to 12, assessed on 1 December 2026 for the 2027 competition.
YoungArts states the two conditions as alternatives, so meeting either the age or the grade range qualifies you. The assessment date is 1 December, not the application date.Source, checked 2026-09-02
- Individual or team
- Individual
- Where it runs
- Online and in person · United States
- Entry cost
- A modest application fee with waivers availableAn application fee is required, with a fee waiver available on submission of documentation. A $35 figure is reported by a third-party competition database but was not confirmed on the YoungArts pages checked. Note that the fee applies per application, so applying in more than one discipline costs more.
- Registration deadline
- The 2027 application opened Tuesday 21 July 2026 and closes Tuesday 6 October 2026 at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT. 27 days leftYoungArts stresses not waiting until deadline day: the deadline includes processing your payment or submitting fee waiver documentation, not just uploading work.
- Competition dates
- National YoungArts Week is held in the winter following the autumn application close.
- Difficulty
- Highly competitiveNational-level field. Expect months of structured work, and usually a coach or a strong team.
- Prizes
- Cash awards between $250 and $10,000. Winners with distinction are invited to National YoungArts Week. All award winners receive lifetime access to professional development, mentorship and the YoungArts network.Cash awards at Finalist, Honorable Mention and Merit levels, plus the residential programme of masterclasses. YoungArts is the exclusive nominating agency for United States Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Confirm current award amounts on the official site.
What YoungArts is
YoungArts recognises young artists across ten disciplines including visual arts, photography, film, design, writing, classical music, jazz, voice, dance and theatre. Winners receive cash awards, access to a residential programme of masterclasses with established artists, and lifelong professional support. It is also the exclusive nominating body for the United States Presidential Scholars in the Arts, which cannot be applied for directly.
How the competition works
An online application with video recordings, audio recordings, documents or portfolio images depending on discipline. Ten disciplines: Classical Music, Dance, Design Arts, Film, Jazz, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice and Writing. Applications are evaluated through blind adjudication by discipline-specific panels of artists over multiple rounds.
Eligibility notes
Open to United States citizens and permanent residents aged 15 to 18, or in grades 10 to 12. This is the only route to a Presidential Scholar in the Arts nomination.
How to register
- Choose your discipline and read its specific submission requirements, which vary considerably between, say, classical music and writing.
- Prepare the portfolio, recording or manuscript to the stated technical specifications. Recording quality matters for performance disciplines.
- Apply online before the autumn deadline, using a fee waiver if you need one.
- Results are announced in the winter, with Finalists invited to the residential programme.
What skills you need
- Discipline-specific artistic practice
- Portfolio curation
- High-quality documentation or recording
- Artist statement writing
Recommended resources
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YoungArts official site
Disciplines, submission requirements, deadlines, fee waivers and past winners.
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Discipline-specific application guidelines
Each discipline has its own technical requirements. Read yours before preparing anything.
Past problems and materials
Only materials the organiser or an authorised archive publishes openly are listed here.
- Past winners and their work
YoungArts publishes information about past award winners across all disciplines.
Frequently asked questions
How do I become a Presidential Scholar in the Arts?
You cannot apply directly. YoungArts is the exclusive nominating agency, so applying to YoungArts is the only route. Presidential Scholars in the Arts are selected from among YoungArts award winners.
Which disciplines are covered?
Ten disciplines spanning visual arts, photography, film, design, writing, classical music, jazz, voice, dance and theatre. Requirements differ substantially between them.
Is there a fee?
There is a modest application fee, and fee waivers are available for students who need them. Cost should not be the reason you do not apply.
Reviews, tips and resources from other students
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Something out of date?
If a deadline, fee or eligibility rule on this page no longer matches the official site, flag it and it goes into the review queue.
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