National YoungArts Competition
Annual national arts competition for US students aged 15-18, awarding cash prizes of $250 to $10,000 across film, video, and ten other artistic disciplines.
Overview
The National YoungArts Competition is an annual national arts competition administered by the YoungArts Foundation, recognizing and supporting the most accomplished young artists in the United States between the ages of 15 and 18. The competition spans twelve artistic disciplines including film and video, visual arts, dance, theater, classical music, jazz, photography, voice, and writing. All YoungArts award winners receive cash prizes ranging from $250 to $10,000, along with a lifetime of creative and professional support through the YoungArts community.
YoungArts has operated since 1981 and has supported more than 25,000 alumni who have gone on to careers across the arts and entertainment industry. Alumni include Academy Award winners, Emmy recipients, Pulitzer Prize winners, and major figures across American cultural life. For young filmmakers, a YoungArts award is one of the most prestigious credentials available at the pre-college level.
What It Funds
Award winners receive cash prizes between $250 and $10,000, determined through a multi-round adjudication process. Beyond the cash prize, winners are invited to National YoungArts Week -- a week-long intensive in Miami featuring master classes, workshops, and performances with distinguished artist-mentors. YoungArts also nominates the highest-level winners for appointment as US Presidential Scholars in the Arts, one of the most prestigious honors available to high school students in the United States.
The film and video category accepts work in documentary, narrative, experimental, and animation formats. Submissions are reviewed by a national panel of film professionals.
Eligibility
Applicants must be United States citizens, permanent residents, or individuals legally able to receive taxable income in the US. Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 18 or enrolled in grades 10 through 12 as of December 1 of the competition year. Former YoungArts award winners who did not attend National YoungArts Week when first selected may attend in a subsequent year if they win again.
The competition opens for applications annually, typically in the summer, with a deadline in October. Filmmakers should consult the YoungArts website for current cycle dates and submission requirements for the film and video category.
Who Should Apply
US high school students aged 15 to 18 who are working seriously in film, video, or related creative disciplines and who want national recognition, a cash award, and access to one of the most prestigious young artist development programs in the country. The competition is particularly valuable for students who are building a portfolio for college admission and professional development.
See Also
For an overview of film career pathways beyond secondary school, see Film Grants and the Development Pathway. For understanding the core filmmaking craft terms that support a strong film submission, see the Director and Cinematography glossary entries.
