National YoungArts Foundation CompetitionYoungArts

YoungArts at a Glance

Host

The National Arts Competition run by the National YoungArts Foundation

Field

10 disciplines: Classical Music, Dance, Design, Film, Jazz, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice and Writing

Grades and age

For the 2027 cycle: in grades 10 to 12, or ages 15 to 18, as of December 1, 2026

Citizenship and residency

Applicants must be US citizens, permanent residents, or legally able to receive taxable income in the US at the time of applying (for example, holding a Social Security number or an ITIN). Winners who have already attended National YoungArts Week may not apply again.

Cost

$35 per application, with a fee waiver available on a letter from a parent, guardian, teacher, counselor or principal. Every winner receives a $250 award; Winners with Distinction are invited to National YoungArts Week, with airfare, hotel, ground transportation in Miami and meals covered by YoungArts, and can receive up to $10,000.

Dates and format

A national adjudicated competition, not a residential summer program. Students submit video, audio, documents or images of their work online by discipline, and winners are announced by the end of November. Winners with Distinction attend National YoungArts Week in Miami; the 2026 week ran January 4 to 11, 2026, with interdisciplinary classes, workshops and mentorship from leading artists.

Application dates

Applications for the 2027 cycle opened on July 21, 2026 and closed at 8 pm Eastern (5 pm Pacific) on October 6, 2026. Dates for the 2028 cycle have not been announced; check the official site.

Application materials

Online application; video, audio, documents or images of work as required by the chosen discipline and category, with requirements updated each year; the $35 fee or fee waiver documentation.

Size and selectivity

About 13,000 applications for the 2026 cycle. The official winners announcement lists 734 winners, 171 of them Winners with Distinction; the FAQ page gives a round figure of almost 800. YoungArts does not publish a percentage award rate.

Verified against official pages on 2026-10-06 · youngarts.org/competition

How to Apply to YoungArts

• The YoungArts deadline falls in early October, shortly after the school year starts. The 2027 cycle opened on July 21, so plan to finish recording and preparing work over the summer and submit early in the fall.
• Submission requirements for each discipline and category are updated every year and spell out content, length and format. Once a new cycle opens, check every requirement for the chosen category before recording.
• Applicants must be citizens, permanent residents, or able to legally receive taxable income in the US, such as through an SSN or ITIN. Students studying in the US on a visa should confirm they meet this condition first.