YoungArts Week in Miami

From Jan 9 through 14, 2012.

YoungArts, the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA), has announced the names of the emerging young artists, ages 17 and 18, who will be recognized by the program in 2012 for their excellence in the visual, literary and performing arts. Of the 597 national winners, 152 finalists will come to Miami for YoungArts Week, January 9 through 14, 2012. A complete list of winners is available at www.youngarts.org/2012-youngarts-winners.

Paul T. Lehr, NFAA’s Executive Director said “I am thrilled that we are able to recognize this diverse group of extremely talented students, whom we consider to be the most promising young artists in America today. They have proven themselves through a demanding application and adjudication process and evaluation from acknowledged masters in their fields. NFAA has recognized talented young artists through YoungArts for more than 30 years, and the quality of this year’s winners is a testament to the strength and prestige of our program.”

This year’s finalists, who represent the top 3% of the applicants, were selected through a blind adjudication process from a pool of more than 5,000 applications. These 17 and 18 year olds represent disciplines from world dance to woodwinds; from non-fiction writing to jazz trumpet. During YoungArts Week, all finalists will participate in master classes with internationally renowned artists, workshops, interdisciplinary activities, performances and exhibitions. All YoungArts Finalists attending YoungArts Week will receive a monetary award of at least $1,000, with top-level awardees receiving $10,000. All 597 winners, including Honorable Mention and Merit winners, will receive monetary recognition from the NFAA.

During YoungArts Week in Miami, the finalists will be adjudicated to determine further award levels. YoungArts is also the exclusive nominating agency for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, the highest honor that can be awarded to any artistically talented graduating high school senior. Up to 60 YoungArts Finalists will be nominated to become one of 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, selected by the White House appointed Commission on Presidential Scholars.

Notable YoungArts alumni include multimedia artist Doug Aitken; actors Vanessa Williams, Viola Davis Raúl Esparza and Kerry Washington; Executive Director of American Ballet Theatre Rachel Moore; musicians Chris Young, Nicki Minaj and Jennifer Koh; writer Allegra Goodman; and choreographer Desmond Richardson.

YoungArts is the only organization in the nation to recognize students in each of nine artistic disciplines – cinematic arts, dance, jazz, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing.

YoungArts
777 Brickell Avenue, Suite 370
Miami, FL 33131
1.800.970.2787
www.youngarts.org