National YoungArts Foundation Announces 2013 YoungArts Winners

The National YoungArts Foundation today announced its 2013 YoungArts Winners. Out of approximately 10,000 applications, 685 emerging young artists have been recognized for their outstanding work and accomplishments in one of nine disciplines across the visual, literary and performing arts fields. A complete list of the Winners is available online at this link.

“I am thrilled to report that this year we had an astonishing number of applicants, almost twice as many as any other year in our 31 year history,” stated Paul T. Lehr, National YoungArts Foundation’s Executive Director. “The quality of this year’s talented Winners, who represent a diverse group of the most promising young artists in America today, is a testament to the strength of our program.”

YoungArts Winners are designated into three categories, Finalist, Honorable Mention, and Merit, and are selected through a blind adjudication process. All of the 2013 Winners will receive monetary recognition from the National YoungArts Foundation and are eligible to participate in the Emmy-nominated HBO series YoungArts MasterClassand signature events in Washington, DC (June 2013). Additionally, Winners living in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York are invited to participate in YoungArts’ regional programs - YoungArts Los Angeles (February 2013), YoungArts Miami (April 2013), YoungArts New York (May 2013).

Of the 685 Winners from across the nation, 152 Finalists will participate in YoungArts Week in Miami fromJanuary 6 to12, 2013. These 15- to 18-year-old Finalists represent the top 1.5 percent of the applicants and some of the most outstanding students in a wide range of disciplines in the visual, literary and performing arts. The Finalists will be further adjudicated to determine additional award levels including a monetary award of at least $1,000, with top-level awardees receiving $10,000.

This year, during the 32^nd annual YoungArts Week, Finalists will participate in a week of intense master classes and workshops with internationally renowned artists such as Adrian Grenier, Marisa Tomei, Bobby McFerrin and Bill T. Jones. Students also will have the opportunity to share their work each evening in performances, readings, exhibitions and screenings that are free and open to the public. YoungArts Week will culminate in an Affair of the Arts Performance and Gala on January 12, 2013, celebrating the 2013 Winners with an alumni performance. The evening also will include an awards ceremony, honoring Debbie Allen, Joshua Bell and YoungArts Alumnus Adrian Grenier, followed by dinner and dancing.

National YoungArts Foundation is 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 of the 152 Finalists will be nominated by YoungArts to become a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, 20 of which will be selected for the honor by the White House appointed Commission on Presidential Scholars.

YoungArts alumni who have gone on to become leading professionals in their fields include actresses Vanessa Williams, Viola Davis, and Kerry Washington; four-time Tony Award nominee Raúl Esparza; Executive Director of American Ballet Theatre Rachel Moore; recording artists Nicki Minaj and Chris Young; musicians Terence Blanchard, Eric Owens, and Jennifer Koh; choreographer Desmond Richardson; and internationally acclaimed multimedia artist Doug Aitken.

YoungArts is the only organization in the nation to recognize students in nine discipline categories of cinematic arts, dance, jazz, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice, and writing. Beginning in 2013, a tenth discipline— architecture and design— will be inaugurated as the latest addition to these categories.