YoungArts Seeks Talented High School Seniors for National Program Recognition; Deadline for Registration October 15, 2010

Core program of National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts offers access to Recognition and Scholarships

MIAMI, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- YoungArts, the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA), is accepting applications for its national program until October 15, 2010. By applying, 17-18 year-old high school student artists in the literary, performing and visual arts are eligible for an all-expenses paid trip to Miami for a week of artistic residency, the Presidential Scholars in the Arts program and millions of dollars in academic and artistic scholarships.

"This time of the year is always exciting for us because we meet the next generation of young leaders who have the ability to shape and influence the arts industry," said Christina DePaul, President and CEO of YoungArts. "This year is YoungArts' 30th anniversary, and 16,000 alumni already have benefited from our program, including Vanessa Williams, Doug Aitken, Terence Blanchard, Kerry Washington and Desmond Richardson."

Students can determine their eligibility and apply for the YoungArts national program by visiting www.youngarts.org/apply. Registration will close October 15, 2010 at 9:00 p.m. EDT. Submission materials are due at the YoungArts office in Miami by October 30, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. EDT.

YoungArts will host an informational conference call to answer frequently asked questions about the application process on October 7, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. EDT. All interested must RSVP and submit questions to [email protected] with the subject line "Application Conference Call." Questions will not be accepted live on the phone call.

YoungArts receives up to 7,000 applications in nine disciplines each year. 150 of the top artists are selected as national finalists and are invited to Miami for YoungArts Week, an all-expenses paid week-long artistic residency including master classes with world renowned artists, workshops and interdisciplinary experiences.

From this pool of 150 finalists, up to 50 will be given Gold and Silver distinctions, based on their award designation from adjudications during YoungArts Week. The Gold distinction comes with a monetary award of $10,000, and the Silver distinction $5,000.  In addition, YoungArts awards approximately 350 Honorable Mention and Merit awards from the applicant pool each year.

YoungArts is the exclusive nominating agency for the Commission on Presidential Scholars. Out of these 150 finalists, 20 will be named Presidential Scholars in the Arts and travel to Washington D.C. to receive a Presidential Medallion at a White House ceremony, and perform and exhibit at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Smithsonian Museum of American Art.

For any additional questions about the application process please call (800) 970-ARTS or e-mail [email protected].

About YoungArts:

YoungArts, the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA), is the signature national program that recognizes and supports America's most talented 17-18 year-olds in the visual, literary and performing arts. The mission of YoungArts is to identify emerging artists and assist them at critical junctures in their educational and professional development, and to raise the appreciation for, and support of, the arts in American society. YoungArts provides financial awards, master classes with world-renowned artists and a rich network of professional contacts and career development opportunities; all applicants are eligible for some $3 million in scholarships from prestigious colleges and universities around the world. YoungArts partners with the Presidential Scholars Foundation, the arm of the U.S. Department of Education honoring the nation's most deserving high school seniors.  YoungArts is the sole nominating agency for the Presidential Scholars in the Arts, an honor given to just 20 seniors, who receive their award at the White House. 

YoungArts regional programs in New York City and Miami are hands-on, laboratory programs designed to provide additional resources and enrichment. Participants have access to informative workshops, information about scholarships in the arts, career  guidance, and portfolio development resources. YoungArts' 16,000 alumni include Broadway actors, award-winning playwrights, published authors and numerous well-known visual artists and notable names and arts advocates like Vanessa Williams, Allegra Goodman, John Currin and Kerry Washington. 

For more information about YoungArts, visit www.youngarts.org.

SOURCE YoungArts