Apply for National Arts Competition (United States)

Competition Disciplines

• Classical Music
• Dance
• Design
• Film
• Jazz
• Photography
• Theater
• Visual Arts
• Voice
• Writing

What they offers?

• Cash Awards
  • Receive cash prizes between $250 and $10,000.
• Mentorship by accomplished artists
  • They provide mentorship opportunities with accomplished artists to help award winners prepare for and navigate a career in the arts.
• A lifetime of creative and professional support
  • YoungArts is more than an award. Artists access resources and opportunities at every stage of their development to support a sustainable practice.
• A Robust Network
  • YoungArts award winners join a community of distinguished artists that provides a long–term, robust network to help artists at all stages of their education and career.
• Nomination for U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts
  • Each year, the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects 20 YoungArts award winners who attend National YoungArts Week as U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students who exemplify academic and artistic excellence.
• National Recognition 
  • The prestigious award gives emerging artists a headstart by demonstrating that they have received national recognition from highly respected artists in their field early on in their artistic journey.

Award Levels

• As in the 2024 cycle, awards will be given at two levels:
  • The YoungArts Award recognizes work that demonstrates exceptional technique; a strong sense of artistry; and a depth of thinking/performance that exceeds the level of peers at this career stage. YoungArts award winners receive a monetary award of $250.
  • The YoungArts Award With Distinction recognizes work that demonstrates exceptional technique; a strong, sophisticated, nuanced, and clear artistic point of view; and a depth of thinking/performance that far exceeds the level of peers at this career stage. Winners at this level are invited to participate in National YoungArts Week and will have their work further evaluated for cash awards of up to $10,000. Award winners with distinction who attend National YoungArts Week and meet the eligibility requirements are also considered for nomination to the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible, you must be able to answer”Yes“ to these statements:
  • I am either a citizen of the United States, a permanent resident or legally able to receive taxable income in the U.S. (i.e., have a social security number).
  • I am in grades 10–12 or 15–18 years of age on December 1 of the year I am applying.
  • If I’m selected as an award winner with distinction, this would be my first time attending National YoungArts Week.

For more information, visit YoungArts.