YoungArts

Every year up to 150 of the nation’s most talented 17-18 year old artists, spanning nine disciplines, converge in Miami for YoungArts Week. Selected from up to 7,000 applicants from across the country, this week long gathering provides gifted young artists with life-changing artistic enrichment experiences. Master classes with internationally renowned artists, workshops, interdisciplinary activities, performances and exhibitions, YoungArts Week has it all. It is designed to support students at a critical juncture in their lives, and encourage their decision to pursue a career in the arts.

YoungArts Week provides once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for students. They receive training from some of the country’s most notable artists including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Edward Albee and Frank Gehry, to name a few. They perform in front of a live audience in professional venues, and display their work in established galleries. Many of the students say that their experience at YoungArts Week is what solidified their conviction to pursue their dream of becoming a working artist.

“It’s an affirmation that you were right. Whether it was singing or dancing or acting, you knew that you were good enough to get there and people recognized it.”
– Vanessa Williams, 1981 YoungArts winner

The students who receive the honor of being invited to attend YoungArts Week are selected by an esteemed panel of adjudicators who are considered leaders in their fields. They review each student’s application in their respective discipline, and select only the best of the best to come to Miami. The adjudication process is rigorous, and can take up to a week. Panelists continue to adjudicate the students during their performance at YoungArts Week, and select the award level each student receives. There are five award levels available; the Gold Award garners a $10,000 gift, the Silver Award $5,000, Level 1 $3,000, Level II $1,000 and Level III $1,000. Though they may receive different awards, every student that comes through YoungArts Week is considered a winner.

This year’s YoungArts Week will be January 10-14, 2011.