Happy New Year! Join us as we recap National YoungArts Week and the 2020 YoungArts Backyard Ball. We will also look forward to a few of our upcoming and exciting events.
2020 National YoungArts Week
From Monday, January 6 to Friday, January 10, 2020 audiences had the opportunity to discover the nation’s next generation of great artists during National YoungArts Week through performances in Classical Music, Dance, Jazz, Theater and Voice, and a film screening at New World Center, as well as a writers’ reading in the National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) Jewel Box, and a Design, Photography and Visual Arts exhibition curated by Pérez Art Museum Miami Curatorial Assistant Maritza Lacayo in the YoungArts Gallery.
National YoungArts Week is the National YoungArts Foundation’s signature program, which offers the most accomplished 15-18 year old (or in grades 10 – 12) artists the opportunity to participate in an all-inclusive week long program in Miami featuring master classes and workshops with leading artists in their fields.
2020 YoungArts Backyard Ball
The 2020 YoungArts Backyard Ball took place on Saturday, January 11. The evening brought together artists, influential community leaders, philanthropists and celebrities to support and acknowledge the achievements of the 2020 YoungArts winners, the nation’s most accomplished young artists in the literary, visual and performing arts.
As YoungArts’ largest annual fundraiser, the occasion marks the culmination of the organization’s signature program, National YoungArts Week. The evening was presented by fine jeweler Harry Winston and hosted by honorary chairs Sandra and Tony Tamer and co-chairs Sarah Arison and Thomas Wilhelm, Jay Franke and David Herro, and Oxana and Steven Marks. We welcomed more than 800 guests and raised over $1.7 million.
Additionally, we honored jazz trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard (1980 YoungArts Winner in Classical Music) with the Arison Alumni Award and conceptual artist Teresita Fernandez with the Arison Award for their vital contributions and commitment to the arts. We also honored New York-based sculptor and installation artist Ilana Harris-Babou (2009 YoungArts Winner in Visual Arts) and Miami-based sculptor and painter Mateo Nava (2013 YoungArts Winner in Visual Arts & U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts) with the second inaugural Jorge M. Perez Award.
UPCOMING EVENTS
YoungArts at Ted’s: Judith Hill | February 13, 2020Multi-instrumentalist, Grammy Award-winning vocalist and songwriter, Judith Hill (2002 YoungArts Winner in Voice) joins us for the third YoungArts at Ted's, a quarterly performance series of one-night-only, intimate alumni performances.
YoungArts Miami | February 25, 2020 – March 1, 2020National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts)’s 2020 YoungArts Miami program will take place from February 25–March 1 and will offer 80 of this year’s YoungArts Winners—representing some of the region’s most accomplished young artists from 12 States—life-changing opportunities to learn, connect and collaborate with their peers and renowned artists in the visual, literary and performing arts. YoungArts Miami is part of a series of regional programs, including also Los Angeles and New York that are modeled after the organization’s signature program, National YoungArts Week. The programs provide unparalleled artistic development opportunities, including interdisciplinary workshops, public performances and master classes with creative leaders.
The National YoungArts Foundation’s 2019-20 season has officially begun! This month we look at our most recent events and what’s to come. We have an exciting season ahead!
YoungArts at Ted's: Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom | September 12, 2019
In an intimate one-night-only performance by powerhouse percussionist and composer Allison Miller (1992 YoungArts Winner in Jazz) and her acclaimed jazz band Boom Tic Boom performed works from their recently released album Glitter Wolf. The evening was part of the National YoungArts Foundation’s (YoungArts) new quarterly public performance series “YoungArts at Ted’s” featuring presentations by touring YoungArts alumni at Ted’s at the YoungArts Campus in Miami.
Allison Miller, NYC-based drummer/composer/teacher, engages her deep roots in improvisation as a vehicle to explore all music. Described by critics as a “modern jazz icon in the making,” Miller has been named “Top 20 Jazz Drummers” in Downbeat Magazine and her composition, Otis Was a Polar Bear, is on NPR’s list of “The 200 Greatest Songs by 21st Century Women.” Miller’s band Boom Tic Boom is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary with the release of their 5th album, Glitter Wolf. NPR’s Kevin Whitehead says, “All the parts fit together like clockwork on Allison Miller's new album Glitter Wolf.”
Fall Dance Residency Presentation with Yusha-Marie Sorzano (2000 Winner in Dance) | September 26, 2019
In a new contemporary dance work-in-development THREAT, Yusha-Marie Sorzano investigated emotional coping mechanisms associated with change and the often-rebellious actions it can instigate. THREAT drew on samples of protest songs throughout history, pulls from the rhythms of Sorzano’s native Trinidad, and - informed by her experiences as a classical concert choreographer and performer - revealed a fundamental paradox of the human condition: we are as terrified of change as we are of staying the same.
Within Interdependence Exhibition Opening Reception | October 2, 2019
On October 2, 2019, YoungArts presented “Within Interdependence”, which features works by 20 emerging artists, all YoungArts award winners from the past 15 years. Curated by United States Artists President & CEO Deana Haggag, the exhibition weaves together art works that focus on each artist’s connection to their bodies in a rapidly changing ecological, metaphysical and social world.
Within Interdependence considers ideas of interdependence, intimacy and the body-mind connection. Each selected work draws out what inherently connects us to ourselves, the people around us, and the lands we live on. The exhibition features installations, paintings, photography, sculptures and mixed media works offering deep investigations on notions of identity. Within Interdependence will remain on view through December 13, 2019 with special activations during Miami Art Week.
UPCOMING EVENTS
YoungArts at Ted's: Tony Yazbeck Both Feet Off the Ground | November 21, 2019
Since his Broadway debut as a newsboy in the 1989 revival of Gypsy, quintessential song-and-dance man Tony Yazbeck (1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater) has continued to land coveted roles and garner critical acclaim—including a Tony Award nomination for the leading role in On the Town (2014). With “just the right balance of masculinity and vulnerability,” Yazbeck creates a “spellbinding” one-man show, inviting audiences to join him on an honest, emotional journey along life’s ups and downs as told through the lyrics of classic show tunes, new standards, and dazzling tap dancing.
National YoungArts Week | January 5 – 12, 2019
National YoungArts Week is YoungArt's signature program that aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and community while offering Finalists the guidance needed to prepare for the next stage of their artistic development.
During the intensive, week-long and all-inclusive program, artists across 10 disciplines participate in master classes and workshops with internationally recognized leaders in their field. Throughout the week, Finalists’ work will be further adjudicated to determine additional award levels. Each evening, audiences can experience the work of the next generation of artists through performances in voice, jazz, theater, dance and classical music, as well as film screenings at New World Center, writers’ readings in the YoungArts Jewel Box, and a visual arts, photography and design exhibition in the YoungArts Gallery.
Happy July, everyone! This month we will recap the 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, reveal our new and improved mission statement, and welcome you or anyone you know to apply to the 2020 National YoungArts Week competition.
New Mission Statement Unveiled
We are excited to share our new mission with the YoungArts community! Our mission is now as follows:
National YoungArts Foundation identifies the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary and performing arts, and provides them with creative and professional development opportunities throughout their careers.
YoungArts 2019 Application
Call For 2019 Applications Open Through October 11, 2019
Applications for the 2020 YoungArts competition are now open. Emerging artists in the visual, literary, design and performing arts ages 15–18, or in high school grades 10–12, are encouraged to apply to participate in one of the most comprehensive programs dedicated to supporting and propelling young artists. Approximately 700 of the country’s most accomplished young artists will be selected through a blind adjudication process and provided with lifelong support through funding, mentorship, community, and creative and professional development opportunities. YoungArts winners receive the opportunity to participate in intensive programs nationwide; engage with renowned mentors; the chance to be nominated as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts; monetary awards, including prizes of up to $10,000; and ongoing support as they work to achieve their professional and artistic goals.
The YoungArts winners are designated as a Finalist, Honorable Mention, or Merit. The 2020 Finalists, the most talented artists from across the nation, will attend the organization’s signature program, National YoungArts Week, in Miami from January 5–12. During the week, winners work with distinguished artists in intensive master classes, workshops and seminars and share their work with the public through performances and screenings at New World Symphony as well as writers’ readings and an exhibition curated on the YoungArts campus.
Additionally, all winners join a professional network of more than 20,000 alumni and will gain access to YoungArts Post, a custom online platform for YoungArts alumni to apply for microgrants, performance and exhibition opportunities; create their own profile to serve as an online portfolio of their work; post upcoming events for promotion; gain access to artistic and professional development content and engage with one another to foster professional and personal relationships.
Click here to hear how YoungArts impacted Nicole Ishimaru, 2015 YoungArts Winner in Dance.
To apply or learn more, please visit www.youngarts.org/apply
A Salute to the 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars | June 24, 2019
The National YoungArts Foundation congratulated the 55th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, with special acknowledgement to the 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts who are YoungArts winners. The U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts were nominated by YoungArts to The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and selected based on academic and artistic excellence, leadership qualities and community service.
From June 23-25, the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts joined the other 141 U.S. Presidential Scholars from across the country in Washington, D.C., for the annual National Recognition Program, during which all Scholars received a Presidential Medallion presented on behalf of the President of the United States. On June 24, the Arts Scholars presented their work to the public at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts through a special performance, “A Salute to the 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars," in Concert Hall. The free multidisciplinary performance celebrated all of this year’s awardees and was directed by award-winning choreographer, performer and YoungArts master teacher John Heginbotham. The evening started with an exhibition of works created by the recognized photographers, visual artists and writers, which were on view in the Hall of Nations.
For a full list of the 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars and learn more about the program, please visit https://www.youngarts.org/presidential-scholars
Upcoming
2019 YoungArts Awareness Day | September 26, 2019
YoungArts Awareness Day is a nationwide initiative to encourage emerging artists to pursue their dreams of becoming professional artists. YoungArts Awareness Day aims to underscore the opportunities available to emerging artists (between the ages of 15 and 18 or in high school grades 10 -12) through the organization that provides them with lifechanging experiences to help ensure they are supported in their pursuit of careers in the arts.
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Happy April! As this month comes to end, we look back on our Regional Programs and the 4th annual YoungArts New York Gala. We also look forward to the upcoming programs on the YoungArts Campus before closing out another year.
Regional Programs Recap:
YoungArts Miami | February 19-24
This year YoungArts Miami welcomed 77 emerging artists to participate in life-changing opportunities to learn, connect, and collaborate with their peers and renowned artists across disciplines. The intensive week-long program included interdisciplinary workshops, public performances, and master classes with creative leaders.
Public events included a design, photography and visual arts exhibition opening, and a film screening, jazz performance and writers’ readings at the YoungArts Campus. Events at Miami Theater Center (MTC) included a dance, theater and voice performance and a classical music concert.
YoungArts Los Angeles| March 26-31
Our regional programs series continued with YoungArts Los Angeles, where we welcomed 77 YoungArts winners from the region. During the week, the young artists were offered the opportunity to connect and collaborate with peers and learn from artistic luminaries.
Presented in partnership with UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance (CAP UCLA) for the third consecutive year, this year’s programming and public performances, writers’ readings, screenings and exhibition took place on the UCLA campus and at Building Bridges Art Exchange. The opening reception of the design, photography and visual arts exhibition was held at Building Bridges Art Exchange. The classical music concert, film screenings, multidisciplinary performance, jazz performance, and writer’s readings were held at UCLA.
YoungArts New York | April 23-28
YoungArts New York wrapped up this year’s regional programs series with 75 promising young artists who participated in interdisciplinary workshops, public performances and master classes with renowned artists across each discipline.
This year’s YoungArts New York public programming included a design, photography and visual arts exhibition at Sotheby’s New York. The Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC) held our public events, which included a dance, jazz, theater and voice, a classical music concert and writers’ readings.
RECAP: YoungArts New York Gala | April 16, 2019
On April 16, the National YoungArts Foundation held its fourth annual New York Gala inside the beautiful Temple of Dendur at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Thanks to your generosity, we raised $800,000 to support YoungArts programs and emerging artists nationwide. During the program, alumna and YoungArts trustee Ms. Szadkowski (1997 Winner in Theater & U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts) announced an extended partnership between YoungArts and the gala’s Presenting Partner Baccarat that will provide YoungArts alumni with a unique opportunity to work closely with acclaimed artisans at Baccarat’s factory in France.
UPCOMING: Can We Be as Brave Alumni Exhibition Opening Reception | May 9, 2019
With “Can we be as brave?” the National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) presents the organization’s second annual alumni exhibition dedicated solely to photography. Featuring the works of 13 YoungArts alumni in Cinematic Arts, Photography and Visual Arts, the show is curated by acclaimed director, photographer and YoungArts Vice President of Artistic Programs Lisa Leone.
The works in the exhibition bravely investigate a variety of topics that are connected through multifaceted conversations about family, home and community. The artists examine cultural and historical contexts, self-love, intimacy and humanity, spirituality, and physical and psychological boundaries, and explore personal ideologies and intricacies of representation while championing the idea of multiple stories in lieu of singular viewpoints.
More Upcoming Events:
YoungArts Campus Open House | May 14, 2019
In Process | May 11-17, 2019
PSA | June 24, 2019
For more information on the calendar of events for YoungArts New York, please click here
Please be sure to check our website at www.youngarts.org for the most up to date information on programming and event dates.
Links:
Happy New Year! This month we look back on YoungArts’ signature program, National YoungArts Week, another successful annual Backyard Ball performance and gala, and look forward to our fast approaching regional programs in Miami, Los Angeles and New York.
National YoungArts Week Recap
This year National YoungArts Week took place from January 6 – 12, 2018, where 160 of the nation’s most promising artists between the ages of 15-18 gathered in Miami to strengthen their craft. Performances took place at the New World Center in Miami Beach and included voice, jazz, theater and dance showcases, film screenings and a classical music ensemble. The week culminated with awriters’ readings and visual arts exhibition on the National YoungArts campus. The winners attended master classes and workshops with YoungArts master teachers and highly regarded professionals in each discipline.
YoungArts Backyard Ball
On Saturday, January 12, 2019, YoungArts hosted its annual fundraiser in Miami, the Backyard Ball performance and gala, to help support the artistic development of the nation’s most promising young artists. Presented by Harry Winston, Inc., the gala welcomed approximately 750 guests and raised $1.5 million in support of YoungArts’ programs in Miami, Los Angeles and New York.
During the gala, YoungArts announced the launch of an exciting initiative, the inaugural Jorge M. Pérez Award, a new unrestricted grant for emerging and mid-career artists to receive mentorship and $25,000 to advance their practice. The celebratory evening honored prolific choreographer and bold visionary Camille A. Brown and singular interdisciplinary designers and YoungArts mater teachers Simon and Nikolai Haas of The Haas Brothers and featured a series of inspiring vignettes performed by an all-star cast of YoungArts alumni.
The evening concluded with dancing and dessert under the stars at the Backyard Bash after party on the YoungArts Plaza, featuring music by DJ Pirate Stereo.
UPCOMING REGIONAL PROGRAMS
YoungArts Week Miami | February 19-24, 2019
On Friday, February 22, the public is invited to the YoungArts campus for a film screening, jazz performance and writers’ readings. The weekend continues with a dance, theater and voice performance on Saturday, February 23 and concludes with a classical music concert on Sunday, February 24. Both the Saturday and Sunday performances will be hosted at Miami Theater Center.
For more information on the calendar of events for YoungArts Miami please click here
YoungArts Week Los Angeles | March 26 -31, 2019
Presented in partnership with the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA, this year’s Los Angeles public events will include a classical music concert and film screenings on Friday, March 29) a multidisciplinary performance on Saturday, March 30, and a jazz performance and writers’ readings on Sunday, March 31.On Thursday, March 27, a design, photography and visual arts exhibition will open and remain on view until April 14 at Building Bridges Art Exchange.
For more information on the calendar of events for YoungArts Los Angeles, please click here
YoungArts Week New York | April 23 – 28, 2019
On the heels of the YoungArts New York Gala slated for Tuesday, April 16 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the regional program in New York City will kick off in partnership with Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC). On Saturday, April 27, a dance, jazz, theater and voice performance will be presented at BAC’s Jerome Robbins Theater, followed by a classical music concert and writers’ readings. An exhibition opening reception will feature works by winners in Design Arts, Photography and Visual Arts; details to follow.
For more information on the calendar of events for YoungArts New York, please click here
Please be sure to check our website at www.youngarts.org for the most up to date information on programming and event dates.
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