Support Art Education and Inspire Young Artists

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 55^th 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.