Call for Applicants: 2012 S&R Foundation Washington Award

Award program honors talented, aspiring artists in the fields of fine arts, music, drama, photography and film

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The S&R Foundation, a non-profit organization created to encourage and stimulate scientific research and artistic endeavors among aspiring individuals, announced today that the call for applications for the 2012 S&R Washington Award is now open. Established in 2001, S&R Washington Award honors talented aspiring artists in the fields of fine arts, music, drama, dance, photography, and film. Applications will be accepted until October 1, 2012.

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Recognizing the difficulties associated with launching a career in the arts, the S&R Foundation established the award to encourage and support gifted and dedicated artists. S&R Washington Award winners receive a $5,000 grant to help pursue their artistic careers. Additional funding may be provided to the Grand Prize winner, if designated by the Awards Committee.  Washington Award Grand Prize winners are also eligible for a Foundation sponsored event showcasing their talents, such as a concert hall debut, gallery showing or screening.

"The S&R Washington Award was one of the first programs established by the Foundation. It has been truly rewarding to watch past Washington Award winners advance in their careers, and to see their excitement performing at venues like the Kennedy Center or in front of a sold out audience," said Dr. Sachiko Kuno, President of S&R Foundation." "We invite you to share this opportunity to apply with aspiring artists that deserve recognition for their efforts and dedication to the arts. They are the next generation of artists, and helping launch their careers will preserve the tradition of the arts for everyone to enjoy."

Past award winners have participated in the Overtures Concert Series, a program showcasing talented aspiring musicians. Many of the 2012 Overtures Summer Concert Series performances sold out well in advance of the concert dates, providing significant exposure for the participating artists. The series has allowed Washington Award winners to perform in well-known venues including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Georgetown's Evermay Estate.

Past Washington Award winners are not limited to the performing arts. A 2008 winner, Bohyun Yoon, was recently selected as one of the artists for the Renwick Gallery's 40 Under 40 exhibition. His work will become part of the National Collection of the Smithsonian. The exhibition opened on July 20 of this year and closes on February 3, 2013.

Washington Award winners have included soloists, chamber musicians, conductors, designers, photographers, film artists, potters, painters and choreographers. The 2011 winners include chamber and soloist cellist Char Prescott, pianist Ryo Yanagitani, music director of the Symphony Orchestra Augusta in Augusta, GA, Shizuo Kuwahara, and Laura Eckelman, a New York City-based lighting designer for theater, dance, opera, and other performance arts events.

For more information on the S&R Washington Award, please visit: http://www.sandrfoundation.org/award-program/

About S&R Foundation
The S&R Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created in 2000 to support talented individuals with great potential and high aspirations in the sciences and arts, especially those who are furthering international cultural collaboration. Our goals are simple, yet bold: create, support and facilitate initiatives that encourage scientific and artistic innovation, and promote cultural and personal growth. For more information, visit www.sandrfoundation.org.

SOURCE S&R Foundation