What is YoungArts?

What is YoungArts?

How to Apply for the Prestigious YoungArts Program (2025–2026)

​If you are a young artist—or the parent of one—seeking serious recognition, mentorship, and growth opportunities, the YoungArts National Competition is one of the most important programs to consider. Applications are now open at youngarts.org/apply, and this could be a transformative step in any creative student’s journey.

What is YoungArts?YoungArts is a nationally renowned competition and development program for creative students in the United States. It recognizes artists between the ages of 15 and 18 (or in grades 10–12), across 10 artistic disciplines, including:

• Visual Arts
• Photography
• Film
• Dance
• Theater
• Music (Classical, Jazz, Voice)
• Writing
• Design Arts
  
  ​Being selected as a YoungArts winner provides far more than a title—it offers financial awards (up to $10,000), mentorship by top artists, and even the potential for nomination to become a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts.​

Who Can Apply?To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or legally able to receive taxable income in the U.S.
  
• Be 15–18 years old or in grades 10–12 during the application year
  
• Demonstrate originality, technical skill, and a strong personal voice in their artistic discipline
  

No GPA or test score is required—only artistic excellence.

Why It Matters

​Applying to YoungArts is about more than winning—it’s about connecting with a national network of ambitious creatives, gaining access to scholarship opportunities, and being part of a lifelong community of artists.
As many alumni will tell you, “YoungArts didn’t just open doors—it built the hallway.”